Motorists are being warned of new Highway Code rules that will be coming into force this year. Some of the changes could impact younger drivers, under the age of 25, being stopped from carrying passengers under the same age limit.
This 'graduated driving licence' is designed to boost safety on the road. The Highway Code is also making changes to its regulations, reports Lancashire Live.
At the moment, it is not illegal to run out of fuel while driving, but it could mean a £100 fine and points on your licence. This has now been extended to electric car drivers.
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Last year, the AA said it attended more than 10,500 breakdowns because motorists had run out of fuel or electric charge. The AA said this could be due to drivers delaying filling up because of the cost of living crisis.
Rule 97 of The Highway Code states: "Before setting off. You must ensure – that you have sufficient fuel for your journey, especially if it includes motorway driving."
Tougher rules on mobile phones have also come in. Previously, drivers using their phones at the wheel were fined up to £200 and got six points on their licence. But now, it is illegal for drivers on the roads to use their phones, or any other electronic device - such as a sat nav or tablet.
And councils across the country are being handed more powers to dish out fines. According to a Freedom of Information request, 12 councils have been handed new traffic powers to fine drivers for offences that were previously only issued by the police.
In May, Surrey Council will begin monitoring yellow box junctions and potentially issuing fines of up to £70. Reading and Hampshire Councils will also receive powers in “Spring 2023”. Derby City, Buckinghamshire and Norfolk councils have also been granted powers, but it’s not yet known which areas they’ll be monitoring.
Bristol City Council is still waiting for the Department for Transport to sign off new measures which will allow the authority to fine drivers at six dangerous roads. The sites are in Fishponds, Withywood, Redland, St George and by Temple Meads.
Cameras will be installed at six locations and motorists who get caught breaking the rules could be fined from this summer.
The six sites are:
- Hockey’s Lane and Fishponds Road junction, Fishponds
- King Georges Road and Queens Road junction, Withywood
- Lower Redland Road between Elgin Park and Exeter Buildings, Redland
- Furber Road between Raeburn Road and St Anne’s Road, St George
- Bath Bridge Roundabout and Cattle Market Road junction, near Temple Meads
- Hareclive Road and Anton Bantock Way junction, Withywood
And drivers could soon be fined for wrongly stopping in yellow box junctions at three major junctions north of Bristol after South Gloucestershire Council applied for new enforcement powers. The local authority wants to take over responsibility from the police to install traffic cameras and clamp down on motorists illegally queuing at Hambrook roundabout, under junction one of the M32, and Aztec West and Filton roundabouts, both on the A38 Gloucester Road.
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