Motorists will be penalised if they hog the middle lane or tailgate other cars under a crackdown on anti-social motoring that has been announced by the Government.
Police will be given the power to issue on-the-spot fines of £100 and three points for these offences. They are also expected to get powers to issue fixed penalty notices for offences like not giving way at a junction or using the wrong lane at a roundabout.
Full details are due to be released by the Government in a statement to Parliament today (5 June).
Transport minister Stephen Hammond said: "Careless drivers are a menace and their negligence puts innocent people's lives at risk.
"That is why we are making it easier for the police to tackle problem drivers by allowing them to immediately issue a fixed penalty notice rather than needing to take every offender to court.
"We are also increasing penalties for a range of driving offences to a level which reflects their seriousness and which will ensure that they are consistent with other similar penalty offences."
The fine for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving or not wearing a seat belt will rise from £60 to £100.
The fixed penalty for driving without insurance is expected to double from £100 to £200.
AA president Edmund King added: “It is worrying that three quarters of drivers see others using mobile phones behind the wheel on some or most journeys. This epidemic of hand held mobile phone use while driving has already cost lives and our members have demanded action. An increase in the standard motoring fixed penalty fine will help deter those who commit motoring offences including mobile phone use. AA members broadly support an increase in the level of the fixed penalty. Our members also fully support educational training as an alternative to penalty points.
“We are also pleased to see that at long last new powers and fines will be given to the police to tackle the top three pet hates of drivers – tailgaters, mobile phone abusers and middle lane hogs.”
