EXPERTS have issued an urgent warning to motorists – as new Highway Code rules and driving laws this month could land you with fines and penalty points.
The rules include new powers for councils, tweaks to the Highway Code and fines for electric cars.
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Young drivers are set to be banned from giving their friends a lift in a bid to stop peer-pressure crashes.
Ministers are considering plans to stop new drivers under the age of 25 from carrying young passengers, as part of a “graduated driving licence”.
Roads minister Richard Holden will consider the planned amendment to the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act at a meeting on May 16.
Holden is also experimenting with graduated learning, where drivers are assessed in a fuller range of road conditions.
He said that road traffic crashes are the greatest single cause of death of people between 15 and 12 in the OECD, a club of rich countries.
Young drivers, who only make up six per cent of licence holders, account for over one in five fatal and serious crashes.
Under current rules, new drivers must pass a probation period of two years where picking up just six points will lose them their licence.
But critics note that drivers under the age of 25 are responsible for fewer collisions than those aged over 85.
Twelve councils across the UK have also been handed traffic powers allowing them for offences previously only handled by the police.
Surrey Council will be able to slap drivers with £70 fines at yellow box junctions, with Reading and Hampshire councils set to receive similar powers.
Derby, Buckinghamshire and Norfolk councils will also receive new powers.
PARKING MAD
Tweaks to the Highway Code will also come into force next month, with new rules for electric cars.
Drivers caught holding their phones or other devices on the road will receive a £200 fine and six points on their licence – while those who run out of fuel and obstruct traffic could be slapped with points and a £100 penalty.
Electric car owners could face a similar punishment if their battery runs out on the road.
Motorists could also receive a road ban and a fine of up to £10,000 if their tyres are not legally roadworthy.
You could also fall foul of the Highway Code if an object blocks your field of vision through your windscreen.
It comes after a shocking number of drivers admitted they don’t follow a huge rule change which came in last year – and could be slapped with a £10,000 fine.
Experts also shared a new list of banned number plates, following the launch of the new “23” plates for vehicles – with many naughty words on the list.
New research has revealed which cars are most likely to pass or fail their MOT tests – leaving drivers shocked.
