New careless driver penalties "a waste of time"

New powers to tackle careless drivers are “waste of time” because there are no police to use them, according to rank and file officers.

Fixed penalties of three points and £80 to £100 fines for careless drivers were announced last month to target motorists who tailgate or cut up other road users.

But the Police Federation has said the powers will be useless without the officers to exercise them.

A spokesman said: “Generally the feeling is it’s all very well putting in these kinds of measures and policies but if there aren’t the police there to enforce it, what’s the point? Without the numbers to police it, it’s essentially a waste of time.”