Government plans have been announced to introduce £100 Fixed Penalty notices for careless driving incidents like tailgating and middle lane hogging.

The plans are designed to save police time and will see some careless drivers dealt with without the need to attend Court.

Courses are also being designed which, if accepted by drivers, will allow them to avoid the penalty points imposed along with Fixed Penalty notices.

Any drivers who do not accept the allegation will be able to fight against the Fixed Penalty and take the matter to Court.

Chief Constable Suzette Davenport, the Association of Chief Police Officers National Lead for Roads Policing in England and Wales said;

“The new penalties are absolutely necessary to deal with drivers who are putting people’s lives at risk and police will not hesitate to enforce them.”

Tailgating seems to be a straightforward issue; it isn’t pleasant to experience.

Middle lane hogging is much harder to see as an offence, and much harder to enforce.

Part 264 of The Highway Code says: “You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear.  If you are overtaking a number of slower-moving vehicles, you should return to the left-hand lane as soon as you are safely past.”

The problem with middle lane hogging is that it leaves the inside lane under-used and makes it difficult for vehicles in the inside lane to overtake slow moving vehicles in front of them, causing congestion.  The extent of this congestion varies widely depending who you listen to, with some people seeing it as a huge problem that reflects that drivers shouldn’t even be allowed on motorways, to other people who really don’t see a problem with staying in the middle lane.

The debate continues.