A sensible change in law? Surely not...

[TheresaMay]

On Sky News this morning, apparently as of today plod will have new powers to issue on the spot fines for tailgaters and middle-lane hoggers; something I feel is well overdue. Previously these offences seemingly went unpunished due to the amount of bureacracy... bure... litigation involved in prosecuting.

Of all the things they've done to the motorist over the years (bus lanes, stupid ASL boxes at traffic lights, speed cameras put in places purely for revenue etc) it appears they've finally looked at what pi$$es us off the most.

Thoughts?

Middle Lane Hogs Face £100 On-The-Spot Fines

 

[Fred_Frog_1987]

I agree with the sentiment but fail to see how anyone will be prosecuted without some traffic cops to enforce the strengthened powers.

 

[jarrod248]

On Sky News this morning, apparently as of today plod will have new powers to issue on the spot fines for tailgaters and middle-lane hoggers; something I feel is well overdue. Previously these offences seemingly went unpunished due to the amount of bureacracy... bure... litigation involved in prosecuting.

Of all the things they've done to the motorist over the years (bus lanes, stupid ASL boxes at traffic lights, speed cameras put in places purely for revenue etc) it appears they've finally looked at what pi$$es us off the most.

Thoughts?

Middle Lane Hogs Face £100 On-The-Spot Fines

Oh another new law that was already covered by other laws..

 

[RQMS]

It's not a new law, just that they now can issue a fixed penalty notice rather than take the perp to court.

 

[Bouillabaisse]

It's not a new law, just that they now can issue a fixed penalty notice rather than take the perp to court.

Can but won't. To issue penalties you need to have someone to do it an I can't remember the last time I saw a cop car on a motorway.

 

[TheresaMay]

I never said "new law" - I said "change" and "new powers"...?

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Can but won't. To issue penalties you need to have someone to do it an I can't remember the last time I saw a cop car on a motorway.

Aye.I went to see my mummy last weekend.I went from East Sussex to mid Wales.Not a sign of plod all the way there or back.

 

[Charlie4]

It's not a new law, just that they now can issue a fixed penalty notice rather than take the perp to court.

If perp accepts the fixed penalty, they could always opt to go to court.

Does anyone recall the "no smoking in company vehicles law?" I've never heard of any prosecutions purely because it is (almost) unenforcable and there is no one to do it.

Whilst I agree with the sentiment re middle lane hogs, I can only view it as another tax.

You would think they (politicians) could find more important things to do, given the current situation the country is in.

 

[jarrod248]

I never said "new law" - I said "change" and "new powers"...?

Same same.

 

[labrat]

I agree with the sentiment but fail to see how anyone will be prosecuted without some traffic cops to enforce the strengthened powers.

Next step innit - just like parking and box junctions, before you know it it will be enforced by camera.

Although I wouldn't put it beyond possibility that 'highways agency traffic officers' will be given PCSO like powers to pull vehicles and hand out tickets!

 

[Charlie4]

Next step innit - just like parking and box junctions, before you know it it will be enforced by camera.

Although I wouldn't put it beyond possibility that 'highways agency traffic officers' will be given PCSO like powers to pull vehicles and hand out tickets!

Excellent! Even more dumbing down of the police, you are probably right. Why pay someone £15 an hour when you can get another to do it for £5?

 

[Biscuitjimbo]

Doubt it, as to my knowledge they are scrapping PCSO's.

 

[rgjbloke]

In other news, mugging, rape offenses, burglary and vicious assaults have dropped to an all time record low thus allowing a huge shift in Police resources to be used against one of the most persistent classes of criminals in the land.........The Motorist!!!

 

[velcrostripes]

Simple answer : Fit all cars with a sat nav / tachometer / telemetry device linked to DVLA . As soon as the device detects the vehicle is simply bimbling along the middle lane , the printer at DVLA issues the fixed penalty notice .This is then posted and texted to drivers phone .This would also work for speeding .
You could also fit a device under the bonnet that makes the vehicle automatically swerve to the left when it feels an offence is being committed, but this is probably going a step too far .
On the M11 a lot of offenders appear to be East London mini cab drivers going to and from Stansted .

 

[Fred_Frog_1987]

In other news, mugging, rape offenses, burglary and vicious assaults have dropped to an all time record low thus allowing a huge shift in Police resources to be used against one of the most persistent classes of criminals in the land.........The Shit Motorist!!!

Corrected for you.

 

[jarrod248]

Simple answer : Fit all cars with a sat nav / tachometer / telemetry device linked to DVLA . As soon as the device detects the vehicle is simply bimbling along the middle lane , the printer at DVLA issues the fixed penalty notice .This is then posted and texted to drivers phone .This would also work for speeding .
You could also fit a device under the bonnet that makes the vehicle automatically swerve to the left when it feels an offence is being committed, but this is probably going a step too far .
On the M11 a lot of offenders appear to be East London mini cab drivers going to and from Stansted .

No let's not. If I want to speed I'd rather not grass myself up and pay for it.

 

[sunnoficarus]

So, when was the last time you saw a motorway patrol car?

I popped up to Malvern and back on Sunday, M27, M3, A34, M4, A419, M5, not a single car.

 

[CrapSpy]

You can bet your bottom dollar there will be plenty about today

 

[velcrostripes]

No let's not. If I want to speed I'd rather not grass myself up and pay for it.

Sadly , that is the downside , the authorities will insist on using the technology to pursue those of us that drive fast but safely and ignore the middle lane hogging prats ( as they have done for the past 50 years )

 

[rgjbloke]

You can bet your bottom dollar there will be plenty about today

You're a cynic but today you are also probably a very accurate one!