Drivers Urged To Read Up On New Laws Which Have Been Introduced Today
A whole set of new driving laws have been introduced in the UK from today.
As soon as you step out of the test room for your driving theory and hear that you've passed, all memory of what certain signposts mean, road markings elude to or when is or isn't appropriate to drive in the bus lane, fly completely out the window.
However, it's now time to brush up on your UK road knowledge and take a closer look at the changes to the laws will be implemented as part of the annual updates to The Highway Code so that you don't run the risk of being fined.
Advert
The first of the changes reported as being implemented is in relation to the powers councils have to charge drivers for traffic offences.
Despite vehicles being expected to move over to let ambulances or other emergency services past, motorists could now be fined if they do it in the incorrect manner.
The law reminds drivers that even if pulling over to let a flashing light vehicle past, motorists still aren't allowed to pause too long in a yellow box junction, make an illegal turn, drive the wrong way down a road, drive into a bus lane or go through a red light.
If motorists do so, they could be slapped with a £1,000 fine.
If drivers commit any of the above offences, they could also face adding three penalty points to their license.
The Highway Code states: "You should look and listen for ambulances, fire engines, police, doctors or other emergency vehicles using flashing blue, red or green lights and sirens, or flashing headlights, or traffic officer and incident support vehicles using flashing amber lights."
As well as not passing a red light or entering a yellow box junction, motorists are told to never mount the kerb, brake harshly, or stop before the top slope of the hill, in order to not put anyone else in harm's way.
Honking your horn unnecessarily could also set you back £30.
If your car's windscreen, number plates or lights have a lot of ice or snow left on them, this could similarly result in a fine. Drivers could be charged £60 for such an offence.
While it's allowed in various other locations in the country, motorists can be set back £70 for parking on the pavement in London.
You could be charged £1,000 if you park at night in an unrecognised parking space and against the direction of traffic.
The biggest fine of £5,000 - and hit to your licence with between six to nine points - is for driving through a puddle and sending water cascading all over a passerby.
Councils from across England and Wales can now apply to be able to issue fines for moving traffic offences.
They can lodge the application with the Department of Transport.
It is hoped such a move will not only ensure safer roads, but also encourage people to make their journeys by foot or using a bicycle.
Electric vehicles are also being hit with new laws from today.
Any building or home built after June 15 must now be equipped with an electric vehicle charger.
Electric car charge points must also now be accessible to all parking lots designated to residential buildings.
If a building undergoing large scale renovations has more than 10 parking spaces it must have EV charging points installed. Smart charging points are also set to replace EV chargers which already exist in homes and businesses.
An investment of £1.3 billion has been put into enforcing the new rules and regulations surrounding electric vehicles, all in a bid to reduce carbon emissions as well as easing the pressure of charging multiple cars at once felt by the National Grid.
At the moment, too many cars are being charged in peak daytime hours, so it's hoped the new laws will encourage drivers to choose alternative and smarter tariffs.
The new laws surrounding electric vehicles will come into play from 30 June.
This year, and in those to come, more 'clean air zones' are also anticipated as being introduced.
"If your vehicle exceeds emission standards, you may have to pay a charge if you drive in a clean air zone," the government website states.
Some areas - such as Bath, Birmingham and Portsmouth - have already seen such zones implicated by local authorities.
Bradford and Bristol are set to join the list this year.
The aim of such zones is to improve air quality.
Poppy Bilderbeck