POLICE are to get tough with erring drivers – taking cash on the spot.

They have adopted new powers designed to tackle fine-dodging motorists and hauliers.

West Yorkshire Police will now use new legislation around Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) allowing them to take cash deposits up front.

The new law is designed to tackle those who give the police unsatisfactory address information, as well as foreign motorists or anyone who may previously have proved difficult to trace and receive payments from.

Where motorists or hauliers are unable to pay a deposit towards their fine, their vehicles will be immobilised until they are able to do so.

Insp Russell Clark of West Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit said: “What we will be able to do now, is to ensure that people who might previously have been able to avoid any sort of punishment – either because they left the country or gave us an unsatisfactory address for us to be able to pursue them – will now be made to pay towards their fine at the time we speak to them.

“Anyone who can’t offer any payment will have their vehicle immobilised until they are able to do so.

“The new legislation will not affect 99% of motorists who respect the law and pay their fines, or who contest a FPN through the proper channels.”

A new fines system will also be brought in for the drivers of goods and passenger vehicles. Working with VOSA (the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) different levels of fine will be given, ranging from £60 to £200, depending on the type of offences being committed.

These could be for offences such as dangerously overloading goods vehicles or driving too many hours without a break.

Insp Clark added: “We need to stress that the graduated FPNs are only for goods and passenger vehicles and do not apply to car drivers.

“They allow the driver to be dealt with at the time for offences which we previously had to summons the driver to court.

“Offences such as overloading HGVs or driving without taking the proper rest breaks can and have caused serious and fatal incidents on our roads.

“Being able to deal with these offences at the time rather than waiting for a court appearance really hits the message home, and protects those in the haulage and coach industry who operate within the law from unfair competition from those who do not”.