Used car buying service ChooseMyCar.com has compiled a list of the new driving-related legalities that will come in this year.
Some of the new regulations are regional, but are a good indicator of what may happen across the whole of the UK in the months and years ahead. Many are being introduced to tie in with the Government’s green agenda, while some are aimed at reducing accidents.
Founder of ChooseMyCar.com, Nick Zapolski, said the new rules must be well-publicised or they may well catch drivers out.
“Changing clean air or low emission zones, or local speed limits, is a great idea to reduce pollution and lower accident levels. But local councils must make sure they are sufficiently publicising these changes, or many drivers will get caught out.”
Fuel duty expected to rise in March
While we’ve all been enjoying the slightly lower cost of fuel, plans are underfoot to raise fuel duty. The Government made the decision last year to lower tax on fuel by 5p for 13 months, but it is widely believed that this will be scrapped in the Spring, resulted in fuel going up by up to 12p per litre.
Targeted enforcement areas
Problem roads may now be targeted with individual enforcement methods. Bristol is just one city where problem sites will be monitored, hoping to catch bad driving behaviours such as illegal u-turns, driving the one way down one-way streets, and making turns in a direction that is prohibited.
Clean Air Zones (CAZ) to be implemented in Scotland
Glasgow became the first city to use CAZ last year, but now it plans to install cameras to catch and monitor those vehicles which don’t meet its standards. However, don’t panic yet as enforcement won’t start until 2024, when other areas may also roll out CAZ.
Low Emission Zone to be extended
As of August 29, 2023, the ULEZ (Ultra low emission zone) will extend to cover all London boroughs. If your vehicle doesn’t meet the emission requirements, you face a daily charge of £12.50 – even if you live within the zone.
Pavement parking could be banned in Scotland
Campaigns have been underway for several years to ban parking on pavements in Scotland, and it was actually approved back in 2019. However, this year the ban may well come into place, meaning that Scotland will fall into line with London and Wales, where it’s already illegal to park on pavements.
New 20mph zones
Many roads in Wales will see their speed limits drop from 30 mph to 20 mph, as of September 2023. The roads affected are “restricted roads”, meaning they are built up residential areas. The new measures aim to reduce road collisions, encourage pedestrians and cyclists to use the roads, improve safety, health, and wellbeing, and help reduce emissions.
