Reckless drivers could face fines

Police could be granted new powers that will give them the ability to penalise drivers on the spot for poor driving, in plans announced by the Department for Transport today.

This means that motorists who undertake, tailgate, or drive inappropriately could receive an instant fine of up to £100 and three points on their licence.

The Government is hoping this new approach would help in punishing dangerous drivers, rather than penalising safe drivers who make the odd mistake. A wide range of training and safety courses, for those who have committed less serious offences, would also be available instead of fixed penalties.

Edmund King, President of the AA, said: "A new fixed penalty fine system would free up more police time to look for bad driving as well as increase the perceived risk of being caught."

He also stressed that the potential enforcement should be used solely on those who intentionally drive badly - and not those who have simply made a mistake.

The aim is to make roads safer by punishing reckless drivers quickly, instead of wasting time taking them to court. The new legislation, which could be introduced as early as 2012, will also make disqualified drivers take extra training, or even retake their test, before being allowed to drive again.

The penalty scheme will rely heavily on police enforcement to target poor drivers - as opposed to previous systems that have relied on speed cameras which cannot differentiate between dangerous drivers or safe drivers who have mistakenly exceeded the limit.

Simon Best, the Chief Executive of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: "A strategy that punishes deliberate bad driving while allowing those who make simple human errors to improve has our full support. But we are concerned that issuing spot fines for careless driving could downgrade the offence and will be monitoring the impact carefully".

The changes are also intended to assist other road users to improve their own driving. This will tie in with additional optional training for new drivers. More qualifications will be available that are intended to reassure insurers that they are safe to drive, in an attempt to cut car insurance premiums.

To further improve road safety, drug and drink-driving loopholes would also be closed. No longer, for example, would drivers be able to request a blood test instead of a breath test - which due to the time involved may cut their alcohol level.  New equipment will be supplied to test drivers for drugs or alcohol, while courts would also be actively encouraged to take possession of vehicles involved in more serious incidents.

Philip Hammond, the Transport Secretary, said: "Drink and drug driving are serious offences and we are determined to ensure they are detected and punished effectively."

These announcements come alongside proposals that the speed limit could be raised to 80mph on motorway - while limits on rural or accident-heavy roads may be lowered in order to try to cut the number of people hurt and killed in accidents.