New Driving Laws

New driving laws introduced this month will see motorists hit with fines

The Highway Code is about to get its annual update, which will lead to some alterations. On the list are changes to how electric cars are charged at home, details around clean air zones and increased council powers.

It’s thought the new driving law changes could lead to an increase in driving fines. Here’s what you need to know.

Council Powers

Councils across England and Wales will be granted new powers to charge drivers for traffic offences, with the Department for Transport ready to accept applications from councils to issue fines for moving traffic offences.

It’s part of efforts to promote cycling and walking, and make the roads safer for all who use them.

The new driving laws mean motorists could be fined £1000 for making the wrong move to let an ambulance pass.

Even when letting emergency vehicles past, you must abide by regular road laws, but most drivers assume they are exempt. The Highway Code is clear that motorists should give way to vehicles with flashing lights, including police cars, fire engines, ambulances and emergency doctors.

However if, for example, you end up driving into a bus lane in the process or driving through a red light - you could be slapped with a hefty fine. The same goes for entering a yellow box junction, making an illegal turn or driving the wrong way down a one-way street.

In addition to being fined, certain offences - such as running a red light - can add three penalty points to your license.

The Highway Code’s instructions are: “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.”

The code says you should stop before the brow of a hill. You should also never mount the kerb, and not put anyone else in danger or brake harshly.

These included unnecessarily honking your horn, which can land you with a £30 fine. The horn of your car is only designed for alerting other drivers or warning them of your presence. It can’t be done unnecessarily, even if you are feeling stressed or filled with road rage. It can distract others and even shock them, leading to unintended accidents.

Meanwhile you could be fined £60 for failing to clean snow and ice off your car. Your windscreen, lights and number plate must all be clear of both.

Parking on the pavement in London is also against the law, and you can get you fined £70. However it’s allowed elsewhere in the country if a sign permits it. Another law to keep in mind relates to parking at night.

At night you can not park facing against the direction of the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space. Breaking the rules here could cost you £1,000. This one might come as a surprise - driving through a puddle and splashing a pedestrian could land you with a whopping fine of £5,000. You may also be hit with 6-9 points on your licence.

Electric Vehicle Chargers

Additionally, after June 15, all new homes and buildings will need to have an electric vehicle charger installed.

Any new residential buildings with associated parking must have access to electric car charge points.

The law will also require buildings undergoing large scale renovations to install EV charge points, provided they have more than 10 parking spaces. This law change is part of its wider plan to cut carbon emissions, with £1.3 billion of investment being committed to electric vehicle charging infrastructure rollout.

Homes and businesses with existing EV chargers will be required to ensure they have smart charging capabilities.

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