These Are The New Driving Enforcements Added in 2018 You Need To Know About

Written by Taylor Smart on 15th August 2018

Every year new driving enforcements are implemented. Not many people keep up to date with the new enforcement and can end up with a hefty fine. How many of these did you know?

 

Driving Too Close To Cyclists

The Department for Transport has given £500K of funding to a new safety scheme to encourage more people to cycle instead of driving.  Due to this push of increased cyclists there has been a new crackdown on drivers actions towards cyclists.

 

Police forces have already started to issue £100 fines to drivers who are caught passing a cyclist in a space less than 1.5 meters. 

 

WLTP Emissions Standards

Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) measures a cars economy and emissions. 

 

This means if your cars emissions are low you will be paying less road tax. And if they are high, you will be paying more road tax.  This is the government’s incentive to get high polluting cars off the road and guide people towards buying more eco friendly cars.

 

How economical is your car? 

 

Engine idling

Engine idling is when you are stationary but have not turned off your engine. This uses us unnecessary fuel and creates extra pollution. Police are cracking down with this driving enforcement on motorists who are not turning off their ignition while stationary. You can be fined if you refuse to follow instructions to turn your ignition off.

 

Pavement parking

Parking on a pavement can now cost you a £70 fine due to blocking paths and causing problems for wheelchair users, parents with pushchairs and blind people. By blocking pavements you can be putting vulnerable people at risk. This driving enforcement is already happening in London where you cannot park partially or wholly on pavements at all. 

 

Learner drivers motorway 

As of June 4th learner drivers will now be allowed to drive on motorways. The restrictions are that they must be in a lesson with a certified driving instructor in a dual controlled car. Any learner driver who is not accompanied by a driving instructor in a non dual controlled car can be find and given points on their licence.

 

Are you a driving instructor? Do you need a dual controlled car? We have a variety of dual controlled cars for weekly hire from £46.60/day. 

 

Smart motorway

“A smart motorway is a section of a motorway that uses traffic management methods to increase capacity and reduce congestion in particularly busy areas.

 

These methods include using the hard shoulder as a running lane and using variable speed limits to control the flow of traffic.”

 

(RAC, 2018)

 

Due to the higher increase of cameras on smart motorways the chances of being caught speeding in an area that has a reduced speed limit can earn you a speeding fine. 

 

Also if you are caught driving down a lane with a clear ‘X’ above it you can be instantly fined.

 

We're giving new customers of VMS Vehicle Hire £10 off per day on their first hire of any 4x4, Pickup Truck or Dual Hire Vehicle. To claim, simply mention this offer when you book or get a quote for your chosen vehicle. Please contact our central reservations team on 0800 622 6242

 

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