Latest news with #drivingrules
The Sun
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Major law change for ALL new drivers in Britain is pushed by campaigners in bid to crackdown on fatal accidents
ROAD safety campaigners are pushing for stricter rules to be placed on new drivers in a desperate bid to crackdown on fatal accidents. Measures excluding new drivers from carrying passengers were overlooked in a massive proposed shake up of road safety regulations. 4 4 It comes after it emerged last week that ministers were drawing up plans to overhaul road safety rules. Under the proposed shake up drivers over 70 would be subject to regular eye tests and would be banned from the road if they failed. A measure to lower the drink drive limit from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath to 22 micrograms was also being considered. The proposed rule changes for England and Wales do not include any mention of restrictions on new drivers, something campaigners said was an oversight. One in five new drivers crashes in their first year on the roads and male drivers between the ages of 17 and 24 are four times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than older motorists. Edmund King, president of the AA, has said that the driving law shake up needs to focus on an "overlooked reckless" group. A suggested limit on the number of same-age passengers new drivers are allowed to have in their car could be the answer Mr King says. He added: "We estimate if that policy was adopted in the UK, it would save at least 58 lives and at least 934 serious injuries. "It would cut the young road deaths by between 20 and 40 per cent." The campaigner's policy would see newly qualified drivers slapped with a limit on how many of their "peers" they can carry in their motor for six months after passing their test. Truth behind plans for new August 1 driving rules for seniors revealed – and what it means for over 70s According to Mr King countries like Australia and Canada, which have similar rules, recorded a fall in crashes and serious injuries of between 20 and 40 per cent. He rejected claims that the rule would limit young drivers freedoms saying: "There is no freedom in being wrapped around a tree at 2am in the morning." Other campaigners agree with charity IAM RoadSmart recognising evidence that restricting passengers of a similar age in the vehicles of new drivers can make reduce risk. The charity raised concerns over how such a ban could be enforced however. 4 4 Proposed rule changes currently under consideration mark the largest overhaul of road safety laws since the Road Safety Act in 2006. The news of transport Secretary Heidi Alexander's planned reforms comes amid mounting evidence of increasing deaths and serious injuries on Britain's roads. Last year 1,633 people died in road traffic accidents, while nearly 28,000 were seriously injured. This worked out to the equivalent of about one motoring casualty every 18 minutes. The new road safety strategy, aimed at tackling the rising number of injuries and deaths, is due to be published in autumn. Edmund King said such a strategy was 'long overdue'. He said: "It is in everyone's interests to tackle road safety and bring the levels of death and serious injuries down significantly."
The Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Four new changes to UK driving rules under ‘biggest shake-up since 2006' – and how YOU can be punished for breaking them
MOTORISTS across the UK could soon face four major changes to driving rules - seen as the most significant overhaul in nearly two decades. The major shake up looks set to come into effect in Autumn 2025 as part of a new road safety strategy. 5 5 5 5 5 According to The Times, these proposed changes reflect stricter measures to improve road safety and introduce tougher penalties for rule violations, which will include a reduction of the drink-drive limit and older drivers being required to take mandatory eye tests. These amendments, set to be introduced to help tackle persistent safety issues on UK roads and reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries, have been put forward by UK Government ministers and led by the Department for Transport (DfT). They represent the biggest reform to driving laws since the Road Safety Act of 2006 - a major piece of legislation which aimed to improve road safety in the UK. Lower drink-drive limit The drink-drive limit in England and Wales may be reduced from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath to 22 micrograms - making it easier to be penalised for driving after consuming even small amounts of alcohol. This figure would be in line with Scotland and the rest of Europe, where no other country has a limit as high as that in England and Wales. This lower threshold may mean that just one drink puts someone over the limit. Additionally, the Government plans to simplify drug-driving prosecutions by allowing police to use roadside saliva tests as evidence, rather than blood tests. Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, has urged more needs to be done to tackle drink-driving, adding: 'Data for Scotland suggests merely reducing the legal drink-drive limit isn't enough. 'A significant number of drink-drive offences are committed by reoffenders, so tackling the risk associated with habitual drink-drivers is crucial.' Being caught drink-driving in the UK carries hefty penalties, which includes a potential six-month prison sentence, an unlimited fine and a minimum driving ban of one year. Watch Tesla test self-driving cars on London streets as it passes famous landmarks The severity of the punishment depends on the level of alcohol in the driver's system and any other factors, such as causing a collision. Drug-driving convictions also result in a minimum one-year driving ban, an unlimited fine, up to six months in prison and a criminal record. Other consequences can include higher car insurance costs, potential issues with employers seeing the conviction on a licence and difficulties in travelling to certain countries, such as the US. Older driver safety Proposed changes may also affect older drivers, with a focus on ensuring that drivers over the age of 70 are fit to drive. This may include drivers over 70 being required to undergo compulsory eye tests every three years when renewing their licence, with an aim to detect visual impairments that could affect driving ability. Currently, the UK relies on self-reporting of visual conditions - making it one of only three European countries to do so. These new measures would align the UK with stricter standards seen elsewhere. It may also see medical tests introduced for conditions that may impair driving, such as dementia or other age-related illnesses. These come in as the number of drivers over 60 involved in crashes resulting in fatalities or serious injuries has increased by 47% since 2010 - highlighting the need for stricter checks. Older drivers who fail the mandatory eye test or medical assessments would be banned from driving and could result in criminal proceedings if they're caught behind the wheel after failing these tests. Tougher penalties for uninsured drivers Changes may also be made to tackle uninsured driving, with more focus on increasing penalties and improving enforcement to address the ongoing issue. The current penalty for driving without insurance - a £300 fixed fine and six licence points - is now expected to be raised under the new proposals, which could include uninsured drivers facing unlimited fines and possible disqualification from driving if a case goes to court. Measures are also being considered to combat vehicles with so-called "ghost plates" - number plates that evade detection by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. Seatbelt non-compliance Finally, the Government is also considering stricter penalties for those caught not wearing a seatbelt - with drivers receiving fines and even licence points as punishment. Currently, drivers face a £100 on-the-spot fine for not wearing a seatbelt, which can rise to £500 if taken to court. These offences, though, do not currently result in penalty points on a driving licence. Under the possible changes, drivers would now face penalty points if passengers are not wearing seatbelts, marking a significant shift from the current fine-only system. This aims to address rising fatalities - with 25% of road deaths involving individuals not wearing seatbelts and 40% of these fatalities being back-seat passengers. Motorists are already legally responsible for ensuring passengers under 14 are properly restrained, with these tougher penalties simply adding further accountability. What was the 2006 Road Safety Act? The Road Safety Act 2006 introduced a number of significant measures to improve UK road safety. These included new offences such as causing death by careless driving or while uninsured, increased penalties for drink-driving and speeding, provisions for penalising foreign drivers and stricter rules for vehicle registration and private hire vehicles. It also enhanced driver training and testing standards. As part of the "Tomorrow's Roads – safer for everyone" strategy, the Act aimed to reduce road deaths and injuries, marking one of the most important reforms in road safety laws at the time. Notably, it also targeted mobile phone use while driving, introducing tougher penalties for using hand-held devices behind the wheel. Drivers caught could face fines, licence endorsements and even disqualification for repeated offences. This was part of broader efforts to reduce distractions and improve road safety, alongside measures addressing drink-driving, speeding and other dangerous behaviours.
The Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Warning to more than 5 MILLION drivers in UK over new compulsory test that could see you banned from roads
A WARNING has been issued to more than five million British drivers who could be banned from the roads under a new rule. Ministers are considering introducing new rules for older drivers in England and Wales. 4 4 Mandatory eye tests for elderly motorists are being considered along with a raft of other legislation according to The Times. The proposals, set to be published as part of a road safety strategy in the autumn, also include tougher penalties for uninsured driving and failing to wear a seatbelt. It was reported that the drink drive limit was also set to be changed as part of the new road safety plans. The change would mark the biggest shake-up of driving rules for nearly two decades. Drivers over 70-years-old are already subject to different rules on the road. When someone turns 70 they must begin renewing their licence every three years and they automatically lose their C1 or D1 entitlements. C1 allows users to drive medium-sized vehicles with a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of between 3,500kg and 7,500kg and D1 entails users can drive minubuses with no more than 16 passenger seats. The new rules would slap older drivers with further regulations and come amid concern over the number of road traffic accidents on Britain's roads. Last year, 1,633 people were killed and almost 28,000 seriously injured in traffic incidents. Numbers have remained relatively constant following a large fall between 2000 and 2010. Shocking moment elderly driver takes his car hurtling down Rome's iconic Spanish Steps - before saying 'I got mixed up' Meanwhile, the number of people killed in drink-driving incidents has risen over the past decade, reaching a 13-year high in 2022. This prompted concern that existing road safety measures are no longer working. Under the plans being considered by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, the drink-drive limit in England and Wales could be cut from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath to 22 micrograms. This figure would be in line with Scotland – which cut its drink-drive limit in 2014 – and the rest of Europe. 4 4 The UK is one of only three European countries to rely on self-reporting of eyesight problems that affect driving. Ministers are therefore considering compulsory eye tests every three years for drivers aged over 70 when they renew their licence. Any who fail the eye test would be slapped with a driving ban under the new legislation. A potential medical test for conditions such as dementia is also reportedly being looked at alongside eye tests. Other proposals are reported to include allowing the police to bring prosecutions for drug-driving on the basis of roadside saliva tests rather than blood tests as increasing numbers of drivers are caught with drugs in their system. The strategy is due to be published in the autumn, and all proposals will be subject to consultation Edmund King, AA president, said: 'The time has come for a bold and proactive approach to road safety. 'This strategy is much overdue as road deaths have plateaued over the last decade. 'We believe these new measures will not only modernise our approach to saving lives but also provide renewed momentum in making our roads safer for everyone.' Vision checks for older drivers and targeting drink and drug drivers are 'practical steps that can make a real difference', he said. Here's a list of reckless driving behaviour and the fines and penalties you risk getting from it. Using phone while driving A cheeky glance at a phone screen will result in six penalty points on your licence and a £200 fine. New drivers might lose their licence if caught doing so within two years of obtaining it. Speeding Lovers of fast and furious will end up with a minimum of three points and a £100 fine. Running a red light This offence will incur three points and £100 fine. Middle lane hogging It constitutes careless driving and police will hand you a £100 fine with three penalty points. Undertaking This could possibly result in three points on your licence and a £100 fine.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New driving rules could see thousands banned, with new tests for over 70s
The Government is planning a major overhaul of driving rules that could see thousands of people taken off the roads. The changes include more bans for people over 70 and people who drive while passengers are not wearing seatbelts, as well as tougher drink-drive laws. According to The Times, the new laws are expected to reduce the drink-drive limit in England and Wales to 22 micrograms, the same level as in Scotland, from the current limit of 35. It comes as serious casualties from road accidents have increased 20 per cent - with 28,000 badly injured last year. That was the highest since 2007. READ MORE: Drivers urged to fill up tanks with petrol and diesel before Monday READ MORE: Morrisons to axe 54 cafes in UK in blow to customers - full list The new plans could include a ban for all drivers over 70 who fail a compulsory eye test. The UK currently relies on older drivers reporting themselves if they believe they are not safe to drive. There could be new medical tests for older drivers in a bid to detect conditions such as dementia. There could also be new drug-driving rules, such as making roadside tests using saliva admissible in evidence. And there could be criminal penalties for driving without insurance, and new rules to tackle plates that cannot be read by speed and ANPR cameras. A government source told The Times: "It cannot be right that one person is killed or seriously injured on our roads every 18 minutes. Just think of the impact on those people and their families. We cannot sit by and simply do nothing." New rules are expected to be published this autumn ahead of a consultation before they are passed into law. Edmund King, the president of the AA, said: "It is in everyone's interests to tackle road safety and bring the levels of death and serious injuries down significantly." A Labour source said: 'At the end of the last Labour government, the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads was at a record low, but numbers have remained stubbornly high under successive Conservative governments. 'In no other circumstance would we accept 1,600 people dying, with thousands more seriously injured, costing the NHS more than £2 billion per year.' Meanwhile, the number of people killed in drink-driving incidents has risen over the past decade, reaching a 13-year high in 2022 and prompting concern that existing road safety measures are no longer working. Under the plans being considered by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, the drink-drive limit in England and Wales could be cut from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath to 22 micrograms. This figure would be in line with Scotland, which cut its drink-drive limit in 2014, and the rest of Europe, where no other country has a limit as high as that in England and Wales. The UK is also one of only three European countries to rely on self-reporting of eyesight problems that affect driving, leading ministers to consider compulsory eye tests every three years for drivers aged over 70 and a driving ban for those who fail. Other proposals are reported to include allowing the police to bring prosecutions for drug-driving on the basis of roadside saliva tests rather than blood tests as increasing numbers of drivers are being caught with drugs in their system. The Labour source added: 'This Labour Government will deliver the first road safety strategy in a decade, imposing tougher penalties on those breaking the law, protecting road users and restoring order to our roads.'
The Sun
29-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Two in 5 drivers have strict rules for passengers from no smoking to no feet on the dashboard dashboard, survey shows
TWO in five motorists enforce a strict set of rules on their passengers when driving, according to research. A poll of 2000 drivers found that motorists banned everything from smoking, littering and feet on the dashboard when driving. 3 3 The poll also found 35 per cent admit to treating their vehicle 'like a baby' – banning the slamming of doors, muddy clothes and shoes. Some just have an outright ban for fast food, but others draw the line at bringing food in the car altogether. Meanwhile, others won't even allow passengers to open fizzy drinks while the vehicle is moving. It also emerged that 48 per cent lovingly wash their car regularly, with 22 per cent going a step further by waxing or polishing it. One in five want their motor to look spotless every time they back it out of the driveway – both inside and out. This research was commissioned by Turtle Wax's to launch its You Are How You Car campaign, which aims to highlight how you treat your car represents how you show up in the world. Matthew Chapman, director of global portfolio for the car care company, said: 'Drivers set rules because they care – not just about cleanliness, but about protecting something that's a reflection of themselves. 'For many people, a car is so much more than just a way to get from A to B – it's a passion, a project and a point of pride. 'Whether it's keeping the paintwork pristine, upgrading the tech or splashing out on premium fuel, the emotional connection we have with our vehicles often drives us to spend far more than we realise. 'From personalised number plates to professional-level detailing, it's clear Brits love treating their cars to the very best.' Just days until August 1 'left lane' law will throw drivers in PRISON for 'driving just one mph under the speed limit' Other ways drivers keep their motors looking flawless include parking away from other vehicles (21 per cent) and never letting anyone else behind the wheel (19 per cent). And for 41 per cent, cleaning the car even doubles up as a form of stress relief or therapy. When their pride and joy is gleaming, 17 per cent feel relaxed, 14 per cent proud – and 10 per cent even say it boosts their confidence. Jo Hemmings, behavioural psychologist, said: 'Our cars, like our homes, are an extension of our own identity. "If we like to look our best when socialising for example – or even just a trip to the shops – then the chances are, it's the same people who present their car with an equal level of high standards. 'As with our homes, showcasing it to reflect our pleasure in living in it, as well as representing our personality, the same can be said about the condition and appearance of our cars. "It's also about impression management - a pristine car says something about the way that we live and what we'd like others to think about us. "It speaks of efficiency, organisation, enjoyment and self-respect.' To pamper their car further, 23 per cent have taken photos of it, while 19 per cent have given theirs a nickname, according to the findings conducted by And 19 per cent admit they've avoided giving someone a lift – purely to prevent their car from getting grubby. Matthew Chapman from Turtle Wax added: 'It's not just about protecting the car's appearance – it's also about safeguarding its value. 'Whether it's paying extra for ceramic coating, refusing to eat or drink in the car, or insisting that passengers 'mind the doors', these little rituals all add up to a clear message: this car matters as it is a reflection of me. 'Ultimately, it's about more than just paintwork and polish. 'The lengths people go to in order to protect their cars reveal a sense of pride, identity and emotional investment that's hard to match.' Behavioural psychologist Jo Hemmings has revealed what your car habits say about you. A Pristine Interior - a need for control and calm If your car is spotless inside - no crumbs, no clutter, even the dashboard gleams - it often signals someone who yearns for control, order and mental clarity. You'll likely find a clean environment calming and use that to deal with external stress. It can also indicate conscientiousness and pride in personal standards. Firm Passenger Rules - strong boundaries and assertive If you ask people to clean their shoes, ban food and drink and are strict about no door slamming for example, you are likely to be assertive, self-aware and value respect for your space. You take ownership of your environment, whether that's your home, your workspace or your car. A Messy Car Interior - a creative, free-spirited mindset If your car is chaotic and you're totally fine with that, it suggests a personality that leans toward spontaneity, creativity and maybe a disorganised approach to life. You often value experiences over aesthetics and may prioritise emotional connection over outward appearances. A Gleaming Exterior - image-conscious and socially aware If your car is always washed and waxed with spotless windows, you're likely to be image-conscious and attentive to how you're perceived. You value first (and subsequent) impressions and see your car as an extension of your personal identity. You may also have a competitive or status-aware streak. No Rules at All – easy-going, possibly reckless If your passengers can eat, drink, play loud music and travel in muddy clothes, you probably prioritise comfort and connection over control. You might be open and flexible, but there's a chance that your slapdash approach might spill over into carelessness. 3
