The UK’s 32 million qualified drivers will come into contact with the law more than any other section of the public and yet the average motorist doesn’t know a great deal about their legal position. Due to the wealth of motoring offences that can be committed, motorists find it all too easy to conflict with the police and courts system. When they do fall foul of the rules, it is likely to be very costly, often resulting in a loss of licence or a hefty fine.

For safety as well as environmental reasons, the law has created a number of regulations governing the construction and use of vehicles. Although many of these relate to the manufacture of vehicles and should not concern the motorist, others have to do with the condition of the vehicle, when it is used.

The road is a dangerous place. In 1998, 3, 421 people were killed and 321,791 people were injured on the road. These accidents not only cause great distress but also cost the country a sum of some £ 28, 000 per minute. It is therefore important to take road safety seriously.

It is only when vehicles are on the road or in a place where the public have access that motoring law becomes relevant. What motorists can and cannot do on the road depends on a number of rules and regulations, which vary according to the type and location of a road as well the rights of other road users and pedestrians.

In towns and other urban areas the police can rely on the support of traffic wardens and electronic devices such as traffic lights and cameras to ensure that motorists comply with traffic regulations. In order to enforce the traffic laws the police have been given a number of powers to question road users in specific circumstances.