Fixed penalties for careless or inconsiderate driving came into effect today with mobile phone use and middle lane hogging among a series of offences which will bring an increased fine of £100. Other offences covered, in what has been described as the biggest shake-up in road policing in 40 years, include tailgating, failing to give way at a junction, overtaking and pushing into a queue of traffic, being in the wrong lane and pushing into a queue on a roundabout, inappropriate speed along with wheelspins, handbrake turns and other careless manoeuvres which will include wheelies for motorcycles. The new rules have followed a consultation period and it’s hoped they can increase the chances of the police being able to get an offence to stick as it won’t have to go to court with all of the associated paperwork; a key reason many were never taken any further. Existing fixed penalty levels for most motoring offences - including using a mobile phone at the wheel and not wearing a seatbelt - rise to £100, bringing them into line with penalties for similar non-motoring fixed penalties. Road Safety Minister Stephen Hammond said: “Careless driving puts innocent people’s lives at risk – that is why we have made it easier for the police to tackle problem drivers by allowing them to immediately issue a fixed penalty notice for low level offending rather than taking these offenders to court. “We have also increased penalties for a range of driving offences to a level which reflects their seriousness and which will ensure that they are consistent with other similar penalty offences. “The fixed penalty for careless driving is now £100 with three points on the driver’s licence. The most serious examples will continue to go through court, where offenders may face higher penalties. The police will also be able to offer educational training as an alternative to endorsement. Drivers will still be able to appeal any decision in court.” One element not mentioned by the Government is the slashing of dedicated traffic police numbers across the UK which has decreased by as much as 42% in some areas of the country over the past decade. It means the chances of people being caught by a police officer are hugely reduced.   Original author Andy Downes                                                                                                                                                                             

Sandi thats just the start of it if you get the roadside vehical check by VOSA or the police vehical inspectors they can give you loads of on the spot fines for faults, as all goods drivers have been told it comes out of our pocket if we fail to report faults

  J P it sounds like goods drivers get it from both sides then, that's not fair                                                                                                                                                                             

I am on the fence on this one, mainly due to the ammount of lane hoggers on my way home from work :( nothing like being stuck behind someone doing 10 to 15 MPH below the speed limet, with nothing in the lane to there left, but as they want to turn right in 3 or 4 miles they stay in the right lane all the way :(

How long before bike hating Police start fining bikes for filtering in traffic?                                                                                                                                                                             

They have to catch you 1st lol
                                                                                                                                                                             

Filtering for bikes in very slow queing traffic or stationary traffic is not illegal. A precedent was created in the British courts not long ago and if anyone tries to obstruct you the are breaking the law, not you.
It was in the appeal courts in 2006 and the case was Davis v Shrogin where a biker was knocked off his bike while filtering through stationary traffic, after an initial hearing and the case going against the biker, the appeal court judge created the precedent by over turning the previous ruling and finding in favour of the appelant.
So, if a copper or anyone else gives you grief about you filtering, just quote Davis V Shrogin and then contact a bike friendly solicitor. I can almost hear the cash registers ringing already.

This precedent will not help you if you are filtering in normal traffic flow where you will be charged with dangerous driving for undertaking. It is only good if the speed of other road users is at barely above walking pace or less.                                                                                                                                                                             

talking to a traffic cop at bikesafe there is no legal maximum speed for filtering, it's up to the copper. so use some common sense when doing it and you should be ok. if the copper considers it dangerous driving then the magistrate will too.