Motorists could soon face a new wave of fines as The Department for Transport is in discussions with around 20 councils that want the right to fine drivers who commit offences such as making illegal turns, straying into yellow boxes or driving in bus and cycle lanes. The councils in discussions include Birmingham, Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Plymouth, Reading, Salford, Sheffield and Southampton. Councils in London were granted the power to fine drivers for such offences in 2004.
Most of the offences would be enforced by cameras, but traffic wardens could also be used to enforce fines.
Paul Watters, a spokesman for the AA, warned that the fines would “… alienate those drivers who make a simple mistake.
“I think the risk is the cameras will click away automatically where there is a traffic management problem, such as a badly designed junction.
“It means there will be no incentive to improve junctions, given the amount of money councils can make from these fines.”
Outside London £330 million a year is paid in parking fines. In London at least £250 million was paid in parking fines however the local authorities used their extended powers to fine 800,000 motorists, raising at least an extra £50 million.
Last night a spokesman for the Department for Transport said “No new powers would be handed to local authorities outside London without there being an absolutely clear case that the benefits to traffic would outweigh the cost to motorists.
“While London has shown that fines for traffic offences has reduced the number of offences, we have seen little evidence of how this has impacted on improving traffic flow, reducing congestion and improving safety across the capital.
“No change to the current regime would go ahead without a full consultation with all road users and stakeholders.”
A cash cow for local councils or a necessity to relieve traffic congestion? Let us know.
Aug, 28, 2012