Foreign drivers who cause disruption on British roads will soon face on-the-spot fines of up to £900.

Furthermore, if they are unable to pay up immediately their car will be clamped and held until they settle the penalty in full and pay out an additional £80 release fee.

The new legislation, set to come into effect on 1st April, 2009, is designed to tackle the high incidence of road traffic accidents involving foreign drivers that take place on UK roads every year.

In 2007 alone 400 individuals were killed or seriously injured in a collision involving a vehicle registered overseas, while 3,000 others received treatment for more minor injuries. Astoundingly, figures released by London Councils suggests that this represents a massive 47% increase in the number of road traffic accidents involving foreign drivers since 2002.

Furthermore, a number of different sources have corroborated London Councils’ findings that foreign drivers are 30% more likely to be involved in an accident than than those travelling in a vehicle registered in the UK.

While the fines – officially known as ‘deposits’ as their recipients will be able to claim them back if they are found innocent after arguing their case in court – may seem steep, Britain is actually lagging behind countries on the continent who already have a system of this nature in place.

It is hoped that the threat of penalties for bad, or inattentive driving will be enough to encourage drivers resident overseas to take more care on British roads.

The new legislation will be conjointly policed by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency and the usual law enforcement bodies that patrol the UK’s roads. They will have the power to issue on-the-spot penalties of up to £300 to individuals who are considered to be driving carelessly and, as with British drivers, penalties of £60 for using a mobile handset or reading a map whilst driving. The £900 maximum will be reserved for individuals who flout more than one driving regulation.

While this measure is likely to receive support from UK drivers there is one issue that may cause contention – that the fines will also be applied to British residents who are unable to provide evidence of their UK-based address at the roadside.