DRIVERS could be issued fixed penalty charges for careless driving offences as new police powers come into force today.

Hampshire Constabulary has welcomed the scheme which sees drivers handed £100 fines for committing offences such as driving inappropriately in the middle lane of a motorway or driving aggressively such as tailgating.

They will also receive three points on their licence.

A crackdown on anti-social behaviour behind the wheel is included.

Acting Chief Inspector Richard Parsons, from the force's roads policing unit, said: “Hampshire Constabulary is committed to ensuring the safety of our road users and reducing road casualties across the two counties. We continually work to cut casualties and welcome any changes that will help us do that.

“We apply this law through a mixture of enforcement and education, and we'd rather prevent it from happening in the first place through raising public awareness.

“Careless driving is not a new law, but this change in the fixed penalty notice system is another step towards a less bureaucratic way of dealing with motoring offences and avoiding lengthy court processes, enabling us to make more effective use of our resources.”