We've seen a flood of new or altered driving this year as the Highway Code gets its annual update. In June, there will be a further, albeit smaller, flurry of alterations.
On the list are changes to the installation of electric car home charger points, details surrounding clean air zones and new powers that will allow councils to issue fines.
The new driving law changes, reported by the Express, could lead to what experts have termed an "avalanche of fines". Here's what you need to know.
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Electric car home chargers
First on the list is a change that relates to electric car home chargers. After June 15, all new homes and buildings will need to have an electric vehicle charger installed.
So, if you are lucky enough to be buying a newly built home, it fits the criteria, and the build date is after the rule change date, you should expect it to be equipped with a charging unit. However, the rule states that it is only any new residential buildings with associated parking that must have access to electric car charge points, so don't depend on the inclusion, check what you're buying qualifies under the rule. The law will also require buildings undergoing large scale renovations to install EV charge points, provided they have more than 10 parking spaces.
Tomas Edwards, head of marketing at GoWithFlow, told Express.co.uk that the new law is an important step to ensure the transition to EV vehicles is as smooth as possible. He said: "This law is a necessity as reliance on a roadside, on-demand fuel supply model will not be cost efficient, nor will it be possible for an audience of majority-electric vehicle users.
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He added: "Electricity prices are rapidly increasing, and further national demand will only heighten this trend." This law change is part of its wider plan to cut carbon emissions, with £1.3billion of investment being committed to electric vehicle charging infrastructure rollout.
Smart electric vehicle chargers
In addition to the new electric vehicle chargers, any homes and businesses which have existing EV chargers will be required to ensure they have smart charging capabilities. These regulations will be introduced on June 30, and are intended to help manage the strain on the National Grid with thousands of electric cars charging at once. It is hoped the change will encourage drivers to use smarter tariffs to avoid charging during peak hours, which tend to be through the daytime.
Council powers
From June 1, councils across England and Wales will be given new powers to charge drivers for traffic offences. The Department for Transport (DfT) will soon begin accepting applications from councils to issue fines for moving traffic offences.
Successful applicants will be able to issue penalty charge notices (PCNs) for these offences from June 1. This will include infractions like yellow box misuse, making an illegal turn or driving the wrong way down a one-way street.
This move is part of efforts to promote cycling and walking and roads for all who use them. The RAC claimed many motorists will be unfairly punished unless the Government improves its design, maintenance and enforcement guidelines for local authorities.
Nicholas Lyes, head of roads policy for the RAC, commented on the rule change, saying: “[This] could lead to an avalanche of penalty charge notices being wrongly issued and then having to be appealed.”
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Clean Air Zone
More 'clean air zone's will be introduced this year and in future years. The purpose of these zones, which some local authorities have already introduce, is to improve air quality. According to the government website: "If your vehicle exceeds emission standards, you may have to pay a charge if you drive in a clean air zone".
Cities already with clean air zones include Birmingham, Bath and Portsmouth. Future zones, which are due to start charging this year (2022) are listed as Bradford and Bristol. Greater Manchester is under review and the government website states: "More cities will implement clean air zones in 2022".
While no official dates have been given, Bradford could announce the launch of its clean air zone (CAZ) shortly. Express.co.uk reported previously that Jason Longhurst, Strategic Director at the Department of Place at Bradford Council, said: “The Council is meeting with the Government in May where we expect them to give a start date for the CAZ.”
Low Emission Zones in Scotland could also be rolled out in June, although charges for drivers in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow would not be introduced until 2023 or 2024. Nottinghamshire Live reported in February that Nottingham will not need a 'clean air zone', with research showing it can achieve the target without one, planners have been designing the city in such a way to pedestrianise an area which stretches from Old Market Square to the railway station in the south.
