Brits warned over three new driving laws introduced this month
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Don't let the joy of brief sunshine make you overlook three new driving laws that have been introduced in the UK this month.
Keeping an eye on speeding cameras alone isn't enough to stop you receiving hefty fines with the subtle law changes you may not have spotted.
According to The Sun, local authorities are set to gain 'new powers' this spring, that will allow them to issue fines for 'moving traffic offences'.
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If you're thinking about getting on the electric car hype or already drive one, then it's handy to know that hogging charge points for too long can result in an unwanted fine, depending on where you live.
'Overstay' charges of £20 are being introduced in Glasgow and fees as high as £30 are being put in place elsewhere.
Tesla owners will need to watch out for their 'idle fee', which can rise from 50p to £1 per minute if the station has no available spaces.
Secondly, the rates of vehicle tax are increasing from £2,365 for over 255 (g/km) C02 emissions to £2,605 from April 1, which is a rise of £240 from last year for petrol and diesel models.
Also, high polluting vehicles registered between March 2001 and April 2017, will pay a fine of £695 up front or £729.75 in monthly instalments - an increase of £630 and £661.50 respectively.
Lastly, the residents of Hampshire will be charged a whopping £60 for driving in a bus gate - a short section of road which only buses and authorised vehicles can go through as shown by appropriate signage.
That fee will go down to £30 if paid within 14 days.
"Advantages of bus gates are that they increase the reliability of buses and allow services to run into areas avoiding congestion," the council explains.
"They also promote the use of public transport by providing a very visual advantage over other vehicles.
"Hampshire County Council operates bus gate enforcement using ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) camera technology.
"The system captures the number plates of vehicles not authorised to be in the bus gates; each individual piece of footage is then reviewed by a trained Civil Enforcement Officer to confirm that a contravention occurred.
"If a vehicle is caught on camera driving in the bus gate, the registered keeper of the vehicle will be sent a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) through the post.
"This will contain the details of the alleged contravention, the details of the vehicle and photographic evidence."
"Failure to pay the amount outstanding will result in the Council taking action against the registered keeper of the vehicle to recover the amount due," they added.
