New laws designed to crack down on unsafe trucks operating in the UK will come into effect today (1 April).

The Graduated Fixed Penalty and Deposit and Immobilisation schemes will apply to all trucks operating on the UK roads and will allow road safety officers to charge on-the-spot fines of up to £200 (US$286).

They will also allow them to impound trucks that are considered unroadworthy.

Infringements, such as breaching drivers' hours rules, overloading and unsafe vehicles will all be targetted by both police and safety officers from the Vehicle Operating Services Agency (Vosa).