On 1st April new powers to punish all UK road rule breakers came into force, which will hopefully help to reduce the number of road accidents and make the UK's roads a safer place.

The new laws mean that foreign drivers who live outside the UK will not be able to escape the same punishments that are imposed on UK drivers for traffic offences.

The Vehicle Operator and Services Agency (VOSA) examiners will now be allowed to issue fixed penalty notices to heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers from both the UK and abroad, whilst along with the Police will be able to collect on the spot fines from drivers who can not provide a satisfactory UK address.

Those drivers who are caught committing endorsable offences will now have the penalty points put on to their DVLA UK driving record which could see them banned from driving in the UK.

UK and foreign HGV drivers could also now have their vehicles immobilised if they are found to have exceeded their driving hours, are carrying too much weight or the vehicle is found to be unroadworthy.

 The new measures should also be good news for vehicle insurance companies with road accident claims being reduced by the new legislation.

Road safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: "We want to keep our roads as safe as possible and these tough new measures mean that any driver who breaks the rules of the road - putting themselves and others at risk - will have to face the consequences.

"The only way for drivers and hauliers to avoid tough penalties will be to obey our traffic laws and ensure their vehicles are fully roadworthy."

Any measures to help reduce deaths and serious injuries caused by road accidents on the UK's roads should be welcomed, and these new measures should help authorities clamp down on overseas drivers who flout the UK's road regulations.

Chief Constable Mick Giannasi of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and Lead for Roads Policing, said: "The schemes introduced today will help law enforcement agencies deal more effectively with non-UK residents who commit driving offences and drivers committing commercial vehicle offences. Enforcing road safety legislation fairly and consistently against all offenders no matter where they live, have come from or are going to, will ensure our roads are safer and help us reduce death and injury."