(DFT) Tough new powers to make UK roads safer

New powers to ensure that all drivers who break the rules of the road face tough penalties come into force today.

Under the new laws drivers - including hauliers - living outside the UK will no longer be able to escape the penalties faced by UK offenders. The Police and examiners from the Vehicle Operator and Services Agency (VOSA) can now collect on-the-spot payments from alleged offenders who cannot provide a satisfactory UK address. Those caught committing an endorsable offence will also have penalty points put on their UK driving record, which could lead to them being banned from driving in the UK.

VOSA examiners will also - for the first time - be able to issue fixed penalty notices to drivers of heavy goods vehicles from both the UK and abroad, in addition to immobilising vehicles where driving hours, weight or vehicle safety rules have been broken.

Jim Fitzpatrick, Road Safety Minister, said: "We want to keep our roads as safe as possible and these tough new measures mean that any driver who breaks the rules of the road - putting themselves and others at risk - will have to face the consequences.

"The only way for drivers and hauliers to avoid tough penalties will be to obey our traffic laws and ensure their vehicles are fully roadworthy."

Chief Constable Mick Giannasi, ACPO Lead for Roads Policing, said:

"The schemes introduced today will help law enforcement agencies deal more effectively with non-UK residents who commit driving offences and drivers committing commercial vehicle offences. Enforcing road safety legislation fairly and consistently against all offenders no matter where they live, have come from or are going to, will ensure our roads are safer and help us reduce death and injury."

From today those drivers without a satisfactory UK address who commit traffic offences will have to pay a financial penalty deposit equal to the amount of the fixed penalty or £300 as a deposit in respect of a potential court fine.

The new measures will also enable the Police and VOSA to immobilise any vehicle that has been prohibited from continuing a journey where a driver is breaking the rules on drivers' hours; is driving an overloaded or unroadworthy vehicle; or in cases where a driver refuses to pay a requested financial deposit.