Drivers warned they face on-spot £500 fine for | Tech News

Drivers have been warned that making one common mistake behind the wheel could soon see them face a fine that is five times higher than the current amount.

As the Government continues to revise its ZEV Mandate, which will eventually see new petrol and diesel models phased out in favour of electric alternatives, more measures are being put in place to encourage drivers to make less pollution.

According to the Home Office, one way of improving air quality is by increasing the fine for those caught idling their car unnecessarily, with the penalty potentially rising to £500.

He explained: “Our flagship Crime and Policing Bill is tackling anti-social behaviour head-on to ensure our streets and neighbourhoods are safer. We are absolutely clear that no anti-social behaviour should be dismissed as ‘trivial’ or ‘low level’.

“This includes increasing the upper limit for various types of fixed penalty notices to £500, which will help deter more people from breaching them, and ultimately reduce anti-social behaviour.”

The Home Office’s new version of the Crime and Policing Bill has seen the maximum penalty officers can issue for anti-social behaviour increase from £100 to £500.

Whilst this mostly encompasses crimes such as littering, harassment, and the misuse of public spaces, the bill also covers drivers who leave their car’s engine running unnecessarily.

Prior to the bill, drivers would likely receive fixed-penalty notice of around £20. Whilst it is unlikely that drivers would receive the maximum £500 fine for the offence, some have speculated that the penalty may rise to around £80.

Whilst the Home Office has said that the crackdown is necessary to improve the quality of life in many local communities, Josie Appleton, Director of the Manifesto Club, suggested that it may put some Brits in worse financial positions.

She warned: “It’s a toxic cocktail of extremely broad laws and incentivised officers enforcing them.

“A fine of £500 is unaffordable for most people. The whole point of an on-the-spot fine is that it’s a slap on the wrist but £500 is not. It’s like half a person’s pay cheque.”