Forum Topic

Lane hoggers and tail- gateing fines.

Bad driving like motorway hoggers and tail-gaters are to have on-the-spot fines if caught. Wonder if they're gonna do the same for using phones by drivers? Is this a good idea?

Gerry Tan ● 4615d6 Comments

It's easy to enforce penalties on stationery vehicles especially with cameras everywhere.But apart from in the City of London and Richmond park where riding on the pavement and running red lights is seriously enforced as is speeding on bicycles in the park, I have never seen a cyclist taken aside and warned let alone fined for breaking traffic laws and I am as a cyclist, sorry to say that one does see it every day and one feels in a minority of those who do observe the highway code when on a bike.I really would like to see an updated cycling proficiency test made mandatory before any cyclist of any age can take to the road.I took it age 11 and have cycled ever since quite safely. Driving other and large vehicles does also make on far more aware of the hazards that can affect both cyclist and driver.The advanced driving test and course leading to it is a real boon. Something I think all motorists should aspire to achieving and there needs to be a far better reward for passing it.I did a day with a cycling in London instructor in Camden last year via Camden council. It was invaluable and a bit like a step up from the cycling proficiency test.Sadly most cyclists I see would not even pass the test which is designed for young riders.

Michael Brandt ● 4613d

£60 for cyclists if they cross the front line. How they will enforce that is a little probmatic.

Tony Maxey ● 4613d

Do not forget to add to the list the Advanced Stop Line box that is reserved for cyclists!It will cost you a cool ton (£100) of money if  you get nicked.

Ben Owen ● 4613d

Trucks are supposed to stay in two lanes. How, I wonder can they enforce this.Recently I had a chap in an Audi estate tailgating me, flashing his lights and was so close I could barely see the lights.I was doing 80 as it was, So I eased off and as I signalled to pull over he decided to swerve and undertake.  Which he then aborted and tried to overtake. As he did a few moments later I saw he had 5 small children in the car including 2 in the estate back.He shot off well over 100mph.So how, exactly are idiots like him going to be dealt with?Effectively, he was driving dangerously which is an existing offence, this type of driving happens almost daily and much of it by mini-cabbers in those people movers who cut corners, never signal and weave all over the road. So with so few traffic patrols and that sort of driving very rarely likely to occur when they are in view, how are they going to catch and prosecute.?

Michael Brandt ● 4614d

What about the charioteering lorries that can fill three lanes because they are desperate to pass each other and yet don't have the acceleration.Should we make them stay in just two lanes?And the drivers who love changing lanes so much that they weave in and out as if they were in a computer game and cut right in front of you from left and behind (undertaking) and from the right with not enough room to swing a cat between the cars.There is so much more that could be done to ensure better driving.

Philippa Bond ● 4615d

They already do Gerry. If you're caught using your phone I believe it's £100 and 3 points - that's one expensive phone call!https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-driving-the-law

Bud Richards ● 4615d