Inconsiderate or careless drivers finaly being punished

Fed up of getting stuck behind a tractor on a long and winding country lane? been soaked by a motorist driving through a puddle? you may finally have a reason to celebrate.

New figures show the police have handed out around 10,000 on-the-spot fines in one year under new laws which allow them to give £100 tickets to inconsiderate or careless drivers.

The crackdown on anti-social driving has seen people performing the following actions given fines and given three penalty points on their licence.

• Tailgating
• Middle lane hogging
• Undertaking
• Wheel spins
• Handbrake turns
• Driving down roads closed for repairs
• Soaking pedestrians with puddles
• Tractor drivers not pulling over & letting traffic by
• Dirty windscreens
• Driving with a obstacles blocking view on passenger seat

The figures show 9,852 penalty notices were handed out for the careless driving crimes in the 12-months after the new powers came into force in August 2013, The Sunday Telegraph reported. Before then, the offence could only be dealt with in court and many drivers escaped punishment because of the bureaucracy involved.

The figures show that some forces are using the new powers more than others. Gwent Police handed out 608 of the tickets - compared to Essex where not one motorist was fined on-the-spot for careless driving. The most tickets - 1,397 - were given out by the Metropolitan Police.

RAC Foundation director Professor Stephen Glaister said he was happy to see the powers being used but hoped they would be used consistently across the country. He said: 'As with using mobiles at the wheel and drink-driving, it is not enough to outlaw anti-social behaviour on the roads. People need to believe they will get caught. These figures suggest in several areas they won’t.' But road safety minister Robert Goodwill welcomed the figures, adding: 'Careless driving can risk lives, and I am glad to see police tackling these offences at the roadside. 'This is exactly why this government brought in a fixed penalty notice so officers can deal with offenders on the spot rather than having to prosecute offenders through the courts.'

One camera rakes in £160k in one morning on the M6 this week!

1,600 people will be getting Fines in the post for being caught speeding through M6 roadworks on the the morning of Tuesday 10th March.  The fines will generate upwards of £160k for the government.

The camera in question is located  on the M6 at junction 17, the speed limit has been lowered to 50mph on that stretch while roadworks are carried out.

NW Motorway Police tweeted: “The speed cameras on the M6 J17 in the road works are working, the limit is 50mph. In one morning 1600 offences have been recorded. #noticket”

Woman Has “Narrow Escape” From Being Jailed After Speeding Point Scam.

Karen Cook-Wilson a mum of 4 got a friend from the local pub to help her try and avoid being landed with a ban when she was caught doing 35mph in a 30mph zone when she already had nine points on her licence.

Mrs Cook-Wilson was collared when the previous resident of her address realised the finger of blame was being pointed at her and came forward.

Mr Recorder William Lowe QC told her: “I credit that you didn’t understand how serious your behaviour was and how criminal it was, and the consequences that could have followed. There are people who have committed this offence in recent times who have ended up being sent to lesson, despite their high-public profile. The distinction is, you came to your senses, co-operated with the police, confessed all and were extremely remorseful.

“You have had a narrow escape today.”

The judge sentenced her to four months’ in jail, suspended for 12 months with supervision.
Glen Gatland, defending, said Cook-Wilson is a self-employed single mum who works hard to provide for her children, She appreciates how foolish and stupid she has been.”

The court heard the frightened mum was in tears during police interviews when she realised the seriousness of what she had done. She has no prior record with the police

Following the high profile case of Chris Huhne  and his ex wife Vicky Price who were sentenced to eight months each in jail for the same charge this lady certainly was lucky