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Drivers can expect to see some big changes on the road next year.
A raft of new laws, vehicle technology and driving rules are due to be introduced in 2022 – and many of them are influential developments that will impact every person who regularly gets behind the wheel.
From changes to the Highway Code to councils taking powers to issue fines across England and Wales for minor traffic offences like stopping in a box junction, these are the nine major updates motorists are likely to face in the next 12 months…
Rules that have allowed drivers to avoid prosecution for using their phones behind the wheel are being tightened up in 2022
1. You can’t touch your phone behind the wheel
Introduced: ‘Early’ 2022
Lawmakers are planning to close a loophole that has allowed drivers to evade prosecution when caught using their mobile devices behind the wheel.
Currently, motorists can only be penalised for using a handheld phone for ‘interactive communication’ while driving, meaning anyone using their device to record video, take selfies, snap pictures and scroll through downloaded music are able to avoid fines and points.
However, ministers will from early in 2022 introduce new rules that makes using a phone or any handheld device behind the wheel illegal in almost all circumstances – and mean culprits receive a fine of £200 and six points on their licence.
The stringent rules will also apply when stopped at a red light or stuck in traffic.
The only significant exception is that drivers will still be able to use their phone as a sat-nav as long as it is secured in a holder, and hands-free calls. Mobile payments at drive-through restaurants or on toll roads will also be allowed.
This graphic shows how the Highway Code will change early next year in relation to drivers and cyclists
These are the Government’s ‘key design principles’ for its new plans for cycling, with the intention that it ‘is or will become mass transit and must be treated as such’
2. Cyclists and pedestrians to have priority over drivers at junctions
Introduced: 29 January (subject to parliamentary approval)
A scheduled update to the Highway Code from January will see the launch of an official ‘hierarchy of road users’ system that is designed to protect the most vulnerable people, including pedestrians and cyclists.
The new hierarchy will mean road users who can do the greatest harm will have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they may pose to others.
It will have the biggest impact at junctions, with drivers having to ensure they do not cross the path of cyclists or horse riders. And it also gives pedestrians priority when they are waiting to cross at a crossing or junction rather than only when they are already crossing.
This places more, but not complete, responsibility on those in larger vehicles to ensure they don’t put cyclists and pedestrians at risk. The same rules apply for HGVs, who will also have to priorities car users as well as the previously-mentioned road users ahead of themselves.
A recent survey of 13,500 drivers before Christmas found only a third knew about the changes to the Highway Code to implement the hierarchy system.
Nicholas Lyes, RAC roads policy chief, said: ‘A concerted effort must now be made to communicate the changes to drivers because as we know, many do not read the Highway Code for long periods after passing their test.
‘Ultimately, the aim should be to ensure that everyone using the roads understands the new rules, because any confusion is likely to lead to avoidable collisions.’
Power shift: DfT is setting out a change to regulation next month to allow councils in England and Wales to issue fines to drivers for minor offences, such as stopping in box junctions
3. All councils to be given powers to fine driver for minor traffic offences
Introduced: Spring 2022
Councils in England and Wales will be given new powers to fine motorists up to £70 for minor traffic offences such as stopping in yellow box junctions, illegal turns and driving in cycle lanes in 2022.
A new regulation being laid out by the Department for Transport next month should open the door in spring for councils to issue fines for these contraventions.
It will be the first time local authorities outside London and Cardiff will have powers to issue penalty charge notices for these types of offences, which are currently enforced by the police elsewhere in Britain.
Councils will be able to apply to take responsibility for issuing fines for these offence types from January, with the DfT not expecting powers to be handed over until around March at the earliest.
The capital cities of England and Wales raked in £58.2million from penalties for these minor infringements in 2018/19, with more than half of funds generated – at £31.4million – from penalties for box junction offences, a report by the RAC revealed last year.
> Read more about the changes here
With GPs already facing a backlog of appointments and the DVLA concerned about its mounting pile of varying forms, MPs could introduce new rules that allow a wider group of practitioners to determine if motorists are fit to be behind the wheel
4. Nurses could be allowed to determine if you’re fit to drive as well as GPs
Introduced: Consultation findings to be published
In a bid to speed up licence renewal applications, the Government is considering changing the rules on who can conduct medical questionnaires.
By law all drivers must meet the medical standards for fitness to drive and each year the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency makes half a million medical licensing decisions.
To help make these decisions, the DVLA often requires questionnaires to be completed by a driver’s doctor or consultant.
Currently, these can only be completed by registered GPs.
However, a consultation that ended on December 6 raised the proposal of allowing other healthcare professionals, such as nurse practitioners, to complete the questionnaires to ease the growing workload on doctors and help accelerate licence renewals.
Julie Lennard, chief executive at DVLA, said: ‘Year on year we are seeing an increase in medical licensing applications for drivers and we are continuously looking for ways to improve the process for customers and the medical profession.
This proposal would allow a wider pool of healthcare professionals to complete a driver’s medical questionnaire, reducing the burden on GPs and consultants.’
Parking on pavements is currently only banned in London but the Government has previously consulted on the same rules to be introduced across England and Wales to benefit mothers with pushchairs, those with mobility issues and sight impairment
5. All motorists could be banned from parking on the pavement
Introduced: No decision following consultation in 2020
Scotland has already passed a new bill that will outlaw all parking on pavements from 2023, but elsewhere the tougher rules could be applied this coming year.
Parking on the pavement is already illegal in London but changes to the law are expected in 2022 that will give local councils across England and Wales the power to issue on-the-spot £70 fines to those who mount the kerb.
The Government held a consultation on the matter in November 2020, with proposed blanket ban to prevent motorists blocking pavements for parents with pushchairs, those with limited mobility and anyone reliant on a seeing-eye dog.
The DfT’s consultation proposed three options to reform the rules on pavement parking:
1. Improving the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process, under which local authorities can already prohibit pavement parking.
2. A legislative change to allow local authorities with civil parking enforcement powers to enforce against ‘unnecessary obstruction of the pavement’.
3. A legislative change to introduce a London-style pavement parking prohibition throughout England.
A decision is expected to be made on the matter next year.
Drivers of cars fitted with ‘Automated Lane Keeping Systems’ (ALKS) are expected to be legally allowed to use them on motorways and take their hands off the wheel in 2022
6. ‘Self-driving’ cars to be unleashed on UK motorways
Introduced: No confirmed date but expected spring 2022
Owners of the latest cars fitted with Automated Lane Keeping Systems – or ALKS – will be allowed to use these ‘self-driving’ features on motorways from next year.
Legalisation of the use of ALKS has been discussed by MPs since August last year and is due to be given the green light in a matter of months.
ALKS are categorised as ‘Level 3’ autonomy and can take over control of a vehicle, keeping it in lane so the driver doesn’t need to have any input.
Current UK laws mean drivers can use technology such as lane assist systems, but must remain engaged in the task of driving and aware of their environment – in line with Level 2.
Level 3 ALKS can take full control of the car’s steering and changing of lanes to allow users to take their hands off the wheel completely.
But while the person at the wheel is not driving when the automated systems are engaged, they must be prepared at all times to step in to take over at the system’s request.
Concerns around the safety implications and mis-selling of varying technologies and their capabilities has resulted in the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders publishing guiding principles to ensure motorists know if and when they can use hands-free driving features.
Currently, the highest level of vehicle autonomy being used on UK roads is Tesla’s Autopilot, which is classified as Level Two. New Automated Lane Keep Systems will be the first instance of Level Three vehicle autonomy in the UK
All new homes in 2022 will need to have electric vehicle charge points installed as part of the Government’s push for a greener future
7. All new homes and offices to have electric car charge points
Introduced: No determined date but rules to apply from 2022
New homes and buildings will be required to install electric vehicle charging points from 2022.
New-build homes, supermarkets and workplaces will have to install charging points as standard by law, while properties undergoing major renovations will also be forced to make the upgrades.
Downing Street branded the move as ‘world-leading’ and the hope is that charging an electric vehicle will become as easy as filling up with fuel.
The Intelligent Speed Assistance technology is variable, so it can respond to changing zones
8. All new cars to have ‘Intelligent Speed Assistance’ speed limiters
Introduced: 6 July
New cars will be fitted with speed limiters from 6 July 2022 onwards to improve road safety.
The Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) black boxes will use GPS to work out what the speed limit is and will then ensure the car doesn’t break it.
A new regulation will be imposed by the European Commission in the General Safety Regulation having been approved by the European Parliament in 2019.
The UK will follow this legal requirement despite Brexit, as the UK has retained most EU laws for new cars and this would also help standardise the car manufacturing process across Europe.
ISAs will be mandatory for all new models given ‘type approval’ from 6 July. This means any new car brought to market from that date, rather than new cars already in production.
That said, all models sold as new before that date will have to be updated by 7 July 2024.
Will you face a vehicle emissions tax where you live? Pollution zones are being rolled out across the country in the next 12 months, meaning many owners of older cars will either have to buy a new one or face hefty charges
9. More Clean Air Zones for city centres charging motorists to enter
Introduced: From February
In 2021 we had the introduction of the UK’s first emissions taxation zone outside of the capital with Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone coming into force in June, stinging drivers of older vehicles £8 a day to enter the city centre.
The London ULEZ was also extended in October to cover most of inner London, with daily charges of users of ineligible motors being £12.50.
And in 2022, motorists can expect to see more zones being enforced. They are as follows:
OXFORD – Due February 2022
What is it: First Zero Emission Zone to be piloted that charges all but electric vehicles to enter eight city centre streets
When is it going to be introduced: Pilot scheme due to go live in February 2022
Emission tax type: ZEZ
Vehicles charged: All drivers of vehicles with petrol, diesel or hybrid vehicles
Cost to car drivers: £2 – £10 daily charge
These are the seven streets where the Oxford ZEZ will be first piloted under plans due to go lives in February
Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council are set to introduce Britain’s first Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) ‘pilot scheme’ in the city centre next year.
The plans have been approved for the zone to cover eight streets only: Bonn Square; Queen Street; Cornmarket; part of Market Street; Ship Street; St Michael’s Street; New Inn Hall Street; and Shoe Lane.
Vehicles used in the zone would be subject to charges, depending on their emissions.
Zero-emission vehicles will escape any fee, while drivers of ultra-low emission hybrid cars (producing less than 75g/km CO2) will be charged £2 per fay from February 2022, rising to £4 daily from 2025.
Drivers of petrol cars meeting at least Euro 4 standards and the latest Euro 6 diesels will pay £4 per day from next year, rising to £8 per day from 2025, while any motors older than that will have to fork out £10 daily when it’s introduced next year – and a massive £20 a day from 2025, under the current plans.
The charging zone isn’t 24-hour operational, running between 7am and 7pm, and there are intended discounts and exemptions for some road users, including disabled motorists, residents and businesses operating from inside the zone.
Next year’s pilot will allow the councils to ‘test how the scheme will work before expanding it to a wider area’, those managing the ZEZ say.
ABERDEEN, DUNDEE, EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW – Due Spring 2022
What is it: Low Emission Zones banning older petrol and diesel vehicles
When is it going to be introduced: Spring 2022 but not enforced until 2024
Emission tax type: LEZ
Vehicles charged: Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs LGVs and car drivers
Cost to car drivers: Penalty Charge Notice of £60 (reduced by 50% if paid within 2 weeks) for non-compliant cars
Sign designating the boundary of Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone were erected in 2019
The four biggest Scottish cities – Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow – are currently subject to plans being drawn up for Low Emission Zones (LEZ), with the intention to go live next year.
However, enforcement of the zones will not begin until 2024, under existing plans to encourage motorists and businesses to prepare and replace their older vehicles. A LEZ Leadership Group is currently ironing out regulatory steps required for the Scottish Government and each local authority to introduce zones to restrict the use of older, polluting vehicles.
Once legislation is in place, local councils will be given the freedom to adapt their own versions of a LEZ in order to meeting their air pollution targets.
Each LEZ is likely to be in the city centre. It could see a ban on vehicles that fail to meet the minimum required emission standards – likely to be Euro 6 for diesel cars and Euro 4 for petrols. The restriction will also impact diesel-powered Euro VI HGVs and buses.
These LEZs will differ to the aforementioned zones as non-compliant vehicles will be banned entirely, rather than charged a fee.
Instead of being able to pay a non-compliance charge, the LEZ will see owners of ineligible motors issued with a Penalty Charge Notice.
The initial penalty charge for all non-compliant vehicles is set at £60, reduced by 50 per cent if it is paid within a fortnight.
A surcharge is also proposed whereby the penalty amount doubles with each subsequent breach of the rules detected in the same LEZ. The penalty charges are capped at £480 for cars and light goods vehicles and £960 for buses and HGVs.
After 90 days of last breaching the rules, the surcharge rate will be reset.
The Scottish LEZs will operate continuously, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year round, and be enforced by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras linked to a national vehicle licencing database.
Some non-compliant vehicles will be allowed to use the zones without being issued a PCN. These include: police vehicles; ambulance and emergency vehicles; Scottish Fire and Rescue; Her Majesty’s Coastguard; National Crime Agency; Military vehicles; Vehicles for disabled persons (including blue badge holders); Showman’s vehicles.
‘Historic vehicles’ will also be exempt – likely classic cars over 40 years of age.
MANCHESTER – Due 30 May 2022
What is it: Clean Air Zone for Greater Manchester, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan
When is it going to be introduced: 30 May 2022
Emission tax type: CAZ C
Vehicles charged: Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs and LGVs
Cost to car drivers: Zero
A joint CAZ C for Greater Manchester would cover all or parts of Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan and the cities of Manchester and Salford to cut air pollution in those areas
As part of the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan, a joint charging clean air zone has been proposed to cover all or parts of Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan and the cities of Manchester and Salford to cover most of the whole of Greater Manchester.
The zone would not affect private cars.
It’s set to be introduced on 30 May 2022, with city officials saying it will need to be in place in order for the area to meet air pollution reduction targets by 2024.
In order to help encourage commercial drivers to switch to cleaner vehicles before the zone comes into force, local leaders are asking for a multi-million-pound package – including £8million for businesses impacted by the economic impacts of the daily charges – to support those affected.
NEWCASTLE – Due July 2022
What is it: Clean Air Zone in Newcastle city centre but also Gateshead and North Tyneside – but not charge car drivers
When is it going to be introduced: July 2022
Emission tax type: CAZ C
Vehicles charged: Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs and LGVs
Cost to motorists with non-compliant cars: Zero
This is the proposed boundary for a clean air zone covering Newcastle’s city centre
A legal case regarding the installation of ANPR cameras needed for a CAZ to function prevented Newcastle from introducing its zone in January 2021, with delays pushing back plans for the scheme to go live to later this year.
This has again been delayed, with the proposed start date now July 2022.
Proposals are for a scheme where older buses, coaches, and lorries would face £50 daily tolls while vans and taxis that don’t meet the emissions standard required would be charged £12.50 each time they enter the zone’s boundaries.
Private cars will be exempt from the charge.
BRADFORD – Due Summer 2022
What is it: Clean Air Zone that does not charge car drivers
When is it going to be introduced: 5 January 2022
Emission tax type: CAZ C
Vehicles charged: Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs and LGVs
Cost to car drivers: Zero
This is the Clean Air Zone boundary planned for Bradford
While neighbouring Leeds (and Leicester) have scrapped their plans to introduce clean air zones for now – mainly due to the fall in air pollution levels and traffic dropped during the pandemic – Bradford still intends to go ahead with its own version from early next year.
The proposed Bradford Clean Air Zone would cover the city centre, Canal Road corridor, Shipley and Saltaire where pollution is highest. However, it won’t sting passenger car drivers or motorcyclists.
Instead, the zone will only charge HGVs, LGVs, buses, coaches and private hire vehicles, with daily rate being as high as £50 for non-compliant vehicles.
There will be a ‘comprehensive programme’ of grants and exemptions to help local businesses get ready for the CAZ and to help upgrade some non-compliant vehicles, says the local council.
While car drivers will avoid charges, Bradford Council intends to launch a ‘No Idling’ campaign to cut down on air pollution in the district. It would target motorists who keep their engine running, and keep spewing out fumes from their vehicles, while parked.
BRISTOL – Due summer 2022
What is it: Clean Air Zone charging drivers of older passenger cars who travel in the zone
When is it going to be introduced: Summer 2022
Emission tax type: CAZ D
Vehicles charged: Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs LGVs and car drivers
Cost to car drivers: £9 daily charge if a diesel car isn’t Euro 6 or petrol isn’t at least Euro 4
Bristol will be the second city after Birmingham to begin charging drivers of older cars to enter a clean air zone
Bristol’s Clean Air Zone follows a similar pattern to other big cities: a predefined zone limit in the city centre; a 24-hour charging period that’s operational seven days a week, 365 days a year; and only the latest and cleanest passenger cars are exempt from the charge.
No vehicles are banned from entering Bristol’s Clean Air Zone, but drivers of diesels cars failing to meet Euro 6 standards and petrols not adhering to at least Euro 4 will have to pay £9 each time they enter the boundaries.
Bristol City Council estimates that over 71 per cent of vehicles travelling in and out of the zone on a daily basis are compliant with the restrictions. Drivers who live within the limits of the CAZ will have to pay up each time they make a journey in their non-compliant vehicle.
Motorists using any of the roads marked in the blue area of this map of Bristol driving a CAZ non-compliant passenger car will be charged £9 a day
There’ll be exemptions only for those who earn less than £24,000 a year, and no more than £12.45 per hour – but they will only be able to apply for one year’s exemption. Hospital visitors will also escape the charge.
Other larger vehicle – including HGVs, buses and coaches – will be charged £100 for each day they enter the zone.
If a vehicle has to travel into the CAZ because of an official diversion from a road outside the zone, for example the M5, the vehicle will not be charged, the council says.
Following a series of delays in submitting its plans to central government, Bristol City Council was ordered to have its system for charging polluting vehicles in place by October 29 this year.
However, the council announced on 2 July 2021 that the CAZ will not launch until the summer of 2022 – some nine months later than originally planned.
SHEFFIELD – Due late 2022
What is it: An inner-city Clean Air Zone targeted at the dirties vehicles – but not cars
When is it going to be introduced: Proposed for late 2022
Emission tax type: CAZ C
Vehicles charged: Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs and LGVs
Cost to car drivers: Zero
Sheffield City Council is shortly expected to announce plans for a CAZ C zone for ‘late 2022’, with it covering the inner ring road and the city centre, including Park Square and the A61/Parkway junction
Sheffield City Council had originally proposed a Clean Air Zone for the city centre in 2018, with plans for it to be introduced and enforced from 2020.
However, the impact of Covid-19 on traffic levels saw vehicle use drop and decision makers delay the plans.
The city council is shortly expected to announce plans for it come in ‘late 2022’, with the zone covering the inner ring road and the city centre, including Park Square and the A61/Parkway junction.
The intention is for a CAZ C zone, which means taxis and LGVs that do not meet the emission standards required will be charged £10 a day and coaches, buses and HGVs will be charged £50 to drive within the zone.
Private cars will not pay because they only contribute to 50 per cent of the inner city pollution despite making up 80 per cent of the traffic, the council said.
LIVERPOOL – Due 2022/2023
What is it: A proposed Clean Air Zone with not clear plans yet in place
When is it going to be introduced: Proposed for financial year 2022-23
Emission tax type: CAZ (unconfirmed class)
Vehicles charged: Unconfirmed
Cost to car drivers: Unconfirmed
Currently, Liverpool Council is preparing to launch a public consultation on the creation of a Clean Air Zone to improve air quality in the city – and in its latest report claims it is ‘highly likely’ it will be a charging zone for vehicles entering the city centre that fail to meet emissions standards – likely Euro 6 for diesel and Euro 4 for petrol, as is the case for most inner-city pollution taxes on motorists.
CARS & MOTORING: ON TEST
Source: dailymail
