What You Need to Know About the New Traffic Laws for 2019
It’s important to keep up with the latest laws when you are out and about on the road. Many people don’t know that there are a whole range of different bits of legislation coming into effect this year.
Here’s our quick guide on what you need to be aware of...
Watch Out for Cyclists
With more of them on the road, it’s difficult to avoid cyclists nowadays. They have now been given better protection in new legislation. While the advice is that you should always give them plenty of room when overtaking, you can now be fined if you are too close to any cyclist on the road.
If you want to know how much space you should leave, it’s about a car’s door width or 1.5 metres. Anything less than that and you could end up with a £100 fine.
Motorway Changes
With so much motorway driving in our lives nowadays, it makes sense to change the rules for learners. Previously, they weren’t allowed on the motorway until after they had passed their test.
This has been changed but they do need to be driving a dual control car and have a qualified instructor with them.
Our motorways are also becoming smarter. Ever seen restrictions and thought about driving in lanes that have been closed? If you’re tempted, you could now be caught by the smart tech and subjected to a £100 fine and 3 points on your licence.
Our advice? Stay in lane from now on.
Changes to MOTs
The rules on passing your MOT have also been tightened up a little, but don’t worry all our MOT testers are fully aware of these changes. It means anything considered as dangerous or a major fault will lead to immediate failure.
There are minor problems which may not have an immediate impact
but need to be repaired as soon as possible and potential future problems that you need to look out for:
Some things have been added to the MOT list:
- Your tyres aren’t properly inflated.
- Your brake fluid is contaminated.
- Your brake warning light is on.
- Your reversing lights aren’t working (if your car was registered on or after September 2009)
- Your daytime running lights aren’t working.
- Diesel emissions have been reduced significantly
Proposed Changes to the Laws for New Drivers
There are several laws for new drivers that are currently being considered by the government and which may be introduced fairly soon if passed into legislation. These changes could include:
- Curfews that dictate how late a novice driver can be out on the road.
- Limits to the number of passengers you can take.
- The potential for different speed limits for new drivers.
- The power of the car you are legally allowed to drive.
- Carrying mandatory P plates that show you are a new driver.
- Lower alcohol limits.
Whether all or just some of these changes come into effect remains to be seen. It is important that you keep up to date with the latest legislation, however. Ignorance of the law is never seen as a good excuse and you could be liable to a sizeable fine and points on your licence.
