Millions of drivers to be targeted with larger fines under new driving law plans

Owners of heavier vehicles such as 4x4s and SUVs should be handed larger fines under new proposals outlined by MPs.

Pro-cycling MPs have called for larger vehicles to be seen as an “aggravating factor” when involved in serious accidents.

If introduced, the new driving law will likely issue tougher penalties to road users during sentencing.

It could mean owners of popular larger models such as Land Rovers or Nissan Qashqai’s are most at risk.

The request is found in a new report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking.

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The report will say: “Passenger cars vary greatly in weight so the aggravating factors should, we argue, take this into account.”

Courts were already issued new guidance to recognise the extra responsibility of those behind the wheel of heavy transport such as HGVs.

The new legislation was issued as early as July but the MPs suggest that the new rulings could go a lot further.

According to CAR Magazine, there are understood to be more than four million SUVs registered in the UK.

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The policy is likely to be unpopular among motorists with activists already questioning the idea.

Claire Armstong, spokesperson for campaign group Safe Speed said the new policy was unlikely to make much difference.

She told The Telegraph: “Driving a 4×4 does not make you a more dangerous motorist and driving a smaller car doesn’t mean you are safer.

“It makes no sense to suggest that killing someone while driving an SUV is worse than killing someone while riding a motorbike.”

The group’s new plan comes more than a year after the Highway Code introduced a “hierarchy of road users” system in January 2022.

The Code now clearly states that those road users most at risk in the event of a collision are at the top of the pile.

Meanwhile, those who own larger vehicles which can do more damage have the largest responsibility to act safely on the road.

It reads: “Everyone suffers when road collisions occur, whether they are physically injured or not. But those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm in the event of a collision bear the greatest responsibility to take care and reduce the danger they pose to others.

“This principle applies most strongly to drivers of large goods and passenger vehicles, vans/minibuses, cars/taxis and motorcycles.”

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