In London, up to one million minor traffic offence fines are handed out each year by local authorities. Now, MPs have confirmed that the extra powers enabling London authorities to do this will be extended over the rest of the country in the coming months.
This means that in addition to fines for offences like speeding and parking, motorists will now be at risk of being fined for smaller contraventions like driving in cycle lanes, failing to follow one-way systems, failing to adhere to no-entry signs, entering yellow-box junctions and failing to give priority to oncoming traffic.
It is thought that motorists will be caught out by Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras and could have to pay fines of anywhere between £70 and £130.
With recent data also revealing just how much local councils pocket in parking fines per year, it is not surprising that the announcement for more fining has been met with some contempt.
Nicholas Lyes, head of road policy, revealed some motorists’ concerns to This is Money, saying: ‘Most motorists think local authorities will rush to install cameras as a way to generate extra revenue.’
He also stated that: ‘Two out of five drivers we spoke to fear road layouts and signage will be made deliberately confusing to increase the number of penalties issues.’
Despite complaints, however, it appears that the decision is set in stone as the RAC reported that this shift in legal powers would be rolled out across the country within the year.
Department for Transport also recently discussed the practicalities of bringing forward the legislative proposal to enable local authorities to issue fines for minor traffic offences. The one saving grace for concerned motorists being that it could be some time before the new laws are in place.
Transport Minister, Rachel Maclean, was asked in the House of Commons about how quickly these plans may come into force so that a clear timeline could be established. She stated that it would be ‘some months’ before local authorities were given the final go-ahead:
‘The moving traffic enforcement powers under Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 require a set of statutory instruments to be made covering enforcement, level of penalties, financial provisions, approved devices, adjudication and representation and appeals.’
‘This will take several months to bring into force, after which those local authorities with civil parking enforcement powers can apply for a designation order for moving traffic enforcement.’
In an attempt to quell concerns from motorists, she also reassured that: ‘Statutory guidance is being developed for local authorities on how to use the powers, including publishing their introduction in advance, to ensure that enforcement is carried out fairly.’
[Image Source: Shutterstock, Jan 2021]
How much of an impact will minor traffic fines have?
London and Cardiff are already subject to minor traffic offence fines, and motorists in both cities have found that at times, the offences are incredibly difficult to avoid. Some even described them as sneaky or traps.
This was a particular issue with yellow box junctions, with the RAC revealing that up to 80% of drivers found driving smoothly through yellow boxes to be challenging. At the same time, a third stated that they had become stuck in a yellow box due to slow responses from other road users. This begs the question, should motorists be held accountable for offences out of their control?
Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Motorists will not be able to dispute these fines based on the actions of other road users and will have to accept the charge. They will, however, be spared points on their licence.
The RAC also revealed that in the space of a year in London and Cardiff, over £30 million had been amassed from yellow box junction fines alone. A staggeringly high number for such a minor offence and one that is only adding to the contempt already displayed by worried motorists across the country.
Again, Nicholas Lyes is aware of these concerns and has put forward a solution, suggesting: ‘Local authorities should consider sending first offenders a warning letter – and only issue a penalty if they repeat the offence later on.’
While it is reassuring to know that concerns are being heard, it does not remove the inevitable impact that this will have on drivers everywhere.
Do you think minor offence fines are yet another ploy to feed cash-hungry councils? Or are you pleased that efforts are being made to improve the way we behave on our roads?
Tell us in the comments.
Another case of motorists being used as cash cows by financially constrained local authorities. Fines, tolls, bans are all there to raid our bank accounts. If you drive a car you must expect to be fleeced as we are deemed as criminal so soon as we get into our vehicles.
Here we go again with the ‘cash cow’ nonsense! Grow up. Look at it from the council point of view and you’ll see how that ‘argument’ falls down completely. They are stuck for cash, everyone knows that, so they are looking around desperately for a reliable, relatively easy way to raise smoe money. They look at how bad the driving is on the roads these days and see an opportunity. Be honest, if you go anywhere on the roads these days, you can see people breaking the law all over the show. Councils would be stupid NOT to take advantage of peoples’ laziness, stupidity, unwillingness to follow the rules – call it what you will. Don’t break the law and you won’t pay any money. Simple as. …and before you ask, yes, I’ve been caught out too in the distant past, but I went away and thought about it, accepted it was my responsibility and changed my habits.
Its obvious your are not a driver or you vested interest. Its all the money not about people’s driving. That’s why the council’s design road layout so they can trap as many drivers as they can.
Imagine the chaos that would be caused if all motorists did not enter a box junction until they were positive that there was enough space on their exit route, except the there are so many impatient drivers these days you would probably be cut up by someone not willing to wait behind you.
I couldn’t agree more and have thought this for years. One time I was driving in London, came across a box junction and wouldn’t move until my exit was clear. Other frustrated drivers then overtook and it took three changes of lights, with drivers behind hooting their horns, before I was able to move. In my local town there is an oblong box junction on the brow of a hill, which makes it impossible to see the far end. Presently I follow other vehicles smoothly through this junction and try to avoid stopping on it. When fines are imposed throughout the country I fully intend to abide strictly to the rules and won’t enter the junction until the exit is clear. This is on the A4, one of England’s busiest roads. so if all drivers do the same the town will soon be gridlocked.
Agree totally. I was going into London on the A4 and stopped for a red light. I then moved forward when the lights changed as my exit was clear only to find that a van shot in front of me from the right turn lane to my right. About two feet of my boot was left on the hatched markings resulting in a fine. I was not a happy bunny. I am used to driving in London and I am not as a rule slow off the mark but this was just one of those stupid situations in which drivers occasionally find themselves.
These box junctions in London are designed specifically to trap drivers!
Again just money making scheme. London’s motorists are already suffering with cycle lanes closed roads, making journey times longer causing more pollution. It must be people who cycle to work making all these decisions, try sitting in all the traffic jams you are creating.
This is simply a money making scheme from the Government to allow Councils to boost their funds, and absolutely nothing to do with road safety. Councils will be now busy, establishing new yellow box junctions, bus lanes and a myriad of other minor traffic transgressions. No doubt they will make it virtually impossible to be on the road without committing an offence of one kind or another, and of course there will be a camera close recording you. Big Brother is here to stay.
The poor old motorist is the “cash cow” – yet AGAIN !
Councils short of money to pay their over inflated expenses and WASTAGE !! Think of a demeanour so we can “fine ” the motorist ”
Thankfully my driving days are coming to an end soon but I so sympathise with current and future motorists – forever dipping in their pockets to ” bail ” somebody out .
Truth is – there is NO infrastructure viable enough to get us out of our cars !
Rant Over
I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT GREEDY COUNCILS WILL USE THIS LEGISLATION AS ANOTHER CASH COW AND THIS ALSO COULD HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON HIGH STREET BUSINESSES IF THE FEAR OF “FINE TRAPS” DETERS VISITORS
Most of these measures have absolutely NO relevance to road safety, which should be the ONLY criteria for the imposing of road traffic infringement penalties. They are simply tax harvesting expediencies devised to cover up the grossly inadequate central government funding of burdensome essential services which local authorities are increasingly obliged to deliver.
The Whitehall principle is impose the costs for delivery of as many local services burdens upon local authorities as is possible, but then under-fund them. That way, the blame and ill-temper of the council tax paying public generally and motorists particularly, is deflected away from Central Government to be heaped upon local authorities who are rarely ‘flavour of the month’ with the general public anyhow.
What’s more, I do not believe that most local authorities, and especially the elected Councillors, have the essential intellectual capacity to make balanced judgments about where and when and for what penalties should be imposed. Thus, we all too often have the bizarre situation of a local authority making petty and inappropriate judgements over what are not really problems whilst simply side-stepping issues that are of genuine importance to the wider public.
Indeed, it’s ironic that when I am walking our dog in a nearby woods (in Kirklees – the guns crime and the traffic lights mecca of the UK – if we have a traffic problem, let’s install another cheap solution set of traffic lights and cause ever longer queues!) it is not an uncommon sight to see a drugs user (or may be a county lines courier?) being mobile phone directed to where to pick up packets from drop-off locations in undergrowth. Indeed, it’s not too long ago when a neighbour’s dog sniffed out in the undergrowth of the same woods, two very securely waterproof wrapped packages, each containing a pristine sawn-off shotgun! But, of course, already heavily taxed motorists are far softer targets for easy cash pickings, than is that of having to police proper criminals, who may be actually dangerous.
For decades now transport/motoring cost/benefit analyses has concentrated on the cost/benefit to itself and ignored the cost/benefit to the environment, wider society etc. Consequently, the imbalance has been hugely skewed towards the motorist. Although motorists constantly whinge and whine about the cost of fuel for example, the environmental costs have always been excluded from the analysis. Finally, regulation enforcement is beginning to restore a very small part of that imbalance in favour of the environment, human health etc. So – motorists it’s time to waken up and face the reality of the fact that you have been getting away with hugely subsidised motoring for many decades and you now have to start paying something a bit closer to the real costs you have imposed on all of us. The 1950s myth of “the freedom of the open road” has finally been busted.
Let the driver beware and either accept the rules or use another form of transport. It is blatantly obvious the “authorities” do not want the public to use the roads no matter how safely the vehicle is being driven. Personally I’d replace in town buses and large taxis with small 4 door cars or tuk-tuk type vehicles, allow drivers of these to pick up and charge passengers. Self propelled vehicles be given more road space and priority at junctions etc.
They could use another means of transport A cycle because they do not have to obey the rules of the road
Cyclists MUST obey the rules of the road as set out in the Highway Code – they are NOT imune from prosecution.
If cyclists had a registration number life would be a lot fairer to the motorists
Tax, insurance, Mot, and a full individual test pass for each family member.
My wife and 3 children all cycle, and I also own an estate car.
Registration plates of course, and if my 10 year old commits a serious offence on his cycle,such as speeding, may the full force of the cash cow law come down on him.
Car drivers are an easy target. It is that simple. Are these divers really harming other road users or is this a money grab? I think it is the latter.
Definitely money making. There are too many signs and it’s difficult to react and interpret some signs in time.
Once again a revenue gathering exercise, what will they resort to when private car ownership comes to an end in 2050?
If you do not want to pay the fne do not do the crime ,box junctions are there to keep the flow of traffic .. cycle lanes aae there to protect the cyclist
Snowfake mentality Tony.
Very lucid and well reasoned argument Phil Johns – I’ll vote for you if you stand for election.
Fully Agree
And when the cyclist does not use the cycle lanes, as I have seen often enough, who’s there to protect the motorist?
Hope you go to church regularly as well
Yes these fines are for council finances to pay large salaries to council officals of such it is nothing to do with road safety. Councils have to hold a local referendum to increase the rates above 3%, this is a way of getting round that,
We already don’t have enough income. No or little pay rises, rising food costs, jobs at risk from Covid, rates going up, increased speeding cameras and now minor traffic fines. How much more can people keep putting their hands into empty pockets sending people to food banks or worse still. How much more can we take?
And Will cyclists be fined for cycling on the road where there is a clearly designated cycle track?
How about a petition to get cycles fitted with registration numbers and to have mandatory tax and insurance ?
Isn’t t about time the people take back control of the council’s. They are there for the betterment of the society and elected duly. It should not have such powers to make life extremely difficult for some. I agree some laws are required but putting minor fines in place is not for the betterment of anyone. We need to get out of this negative lifestyle whereupon it’s all about punishment. Not Healthy by any means.. Power is with the people and it’s really time to stand up to the Bullies in today’s society.
Do you not vote in council elections then – power is already in the hands of the people or do you mean the we need the sort of intimidatory people power we saw with the storming of the Capitol in Washington and the murder of a policeman?
Sort out traffic light phasing, paint the road signs clearly, ensure junctions are wide enough to cross without the ridiculous two lanes going down to one almost as soon as one crosses the junction and then think about keeping traffic moving without penalising those who get stuck when traffic flow is disrupted because of poor road layout or maintenance.
This kind of action from the government was inevitable that things like this would come out along with many other things yet to come, it’s the only way of clawing back what they have had to spend on covering the cost of this covid19 pandemic, they don’t have enough to give the local authority’s the budget they need so they come up with screams like this to rake it back and the road user is the easiest one to hit there will be other things in the way of taxes fuel will rise next and car tax too, on the other hand i could be missing the point.
What about the effect on our streets getting covered in an ugly forest of camera posts?
Whine, whine, whine – me, me, me, me. What a selfish bunch motorists are. It’s easy – just follow the Highway Code and you’ll be fine. And for the rest of you I agree that motorists should not be used as cash cows, put up everyone’s tax and national insurance to pay for the things they expect to be provided like roads etc instead – that would be much fairer as well as increasing road tax to reflect the distance driven and the time vehicles spend on the road. I’ll vote for that. Get some moral fibre.
Who are you to/make this type of comment. You sound so anti-motorist I would lay odds you’re a cyclist, the worst law breakers o the roads. No lights at night, dressed in black, colour blind- riding through red lights and across crossings when pedestrians are crossing. Bikes unfit to be on the road, no insurance, no proof they have the ability to ride on the road, council provide cycle lanes which they ignore …..
Quite right, but how do they fine them when they can’t be identified by a camera. There’s a thought – how about cyclists having to have number plates and proficiency tests!!!!
Once cycles are fitted with a registration number things will change big time
It seems everyone realises that it is a way to raise revenue. The accountants in councils will be working right now to tell their bosses how quickly this will pay for itself. Road safety has little to do with it. It’s all about raising money, the accountants win again.
Good, it’s about time laws were enforced so that inconsiderate motorists don’t inconvenience the majority of law abiding citizens…
The only way to navigate yellow box junctions, will be to turn right, turn around somewhere, head to the original junction and turn right onto the original route. That’s because you can only enter a box junction. when turning right!
Only If your exit route is clear. 👍
You can count on Councils making the maximum use of this, and heavily fine even the most minor of alleged infringements. Any excuse to punish the motorist
A sad result of this will be an increase in deaths. Drivers will no longer move to allow ambulances through in case they get a fine or a ban
Some ppl saying that motorists are ‘easy pickings’ or ‘cash cow’ . Don’t try to get away with it then 🤷♂️
Wish I had a tenner each time , for the amount of times my morning journey has been delayed by at least 10 mins, because someone impatient ⚓️ has blocked the cross route on a box junction. Parking on pavements , zig zags and adjacent to traffic calming bumps is another frustration 🤬
I wonder how many ppl have updated theirselves on the Highway Code since passing their test ? 🤔
But with the exception of London and Birmingham, parking on the pavement is not illegal, nor is parking near speed bumps.
But driving on the pavement is illegal, so how do you get there to park?
The only reason officialdom is able to get away with these draconian measures is because we are all forced to wear our I.D. when we drive, i.e. our number plates and now technology allows those number plates to be automatically read, and digital cameras allow these minor offences to be easily recorded . If burglars or vandals had to wear their I.D. around their necks and so pay for their crimes society would be a lot better for all of us. Stop penalising the motorist just because it’s easy to do.
Cyclists too !!
I would advocate more fines but at lower cost. Enforcement is very important, but £70 plus,is nothing more than cashing in.
Hello
This idea of govt penelty idea is good but
This country has been in gridlock with more and more cars being put on roads so more in their pockets BUT WHERE DOES IT END UP I WONDER!!!
The roads are not only getting smaller with more vehicles around…and in my area of slough berks the traffic used to move freeĺly a few yrs ago till local council got the unrealistic idea to change road layouts..and recently have just made bus lanes on main A4 road with cars into a single lane creating gridlock at off pick times now…
All money should be put in from fines to improve traffic moves smoothly but not other way as its happening nowadays..,Put the money in local buses etc to make anyone travelling anytime cheaper and school runs times should be free and see the difference …
But this will never happen as then who is going to pump in money to local councils?
You may not agree to a lot of my comments but as i have een to various countries and specially seen sydney traffic at am peak times with not much increase as all use public transport being reasonably cheap…
WILL SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN HERE???? I WONDER
I think this is just another “alternative funding stream” for councils although anything that improves behavior in yellow hatched areas is welcome. The number of people that block cross traffic by waiting in a yellow box is getting worse
The question in my mind is what are they trying to achieve? If they are trying to make driving safer and more pleasant for us all who can complain? But I don’t think that is the motivation for this. Politicians want quick cheap, solutions and that’s what this is. They make no attempt to improve driving standards. I passed my test in April 1968. Since the I have not been required to do anything to demonstrate that I am safe to drive, or have visited and optician. These measures will only be effective against law abiding citizens whose cars are registered in their name. Needless to say they will not be effective against cyclists who, to quote a senior police officer, “do not lend themselves to prosecution”.
What’s the point this country is no longer fit for purpose, these councils employ these deadbeats who have a little brain and give them so much power they cant think for themselves and on top of this we have too many do-gooders in this country, in conclusion, clown London Mayor is making the situation worse they want our money but don’t drive your car the money these councils are making is criminal.
Are the same rules going to apply to cyclists whenever they infringe??
I agree it does seem yet another money grab by Councils who seem to be incapable of providing any level of services for their constituents within a budget.
Has none asked if the councils either want or requested this. It just looks like the Tories getting everyone to blame their council
I’m 60 years old. We have a Green council that alone is persecuting car users to the point it’s driving shoppers out of town. They have brought in various cycle lanes that have caused congestion on most routes and guess what? Now they want a congestion charge!!!! Petrol is shooting up in price again and despite decades of driving without an accident, the con of car insurance shows no sign of getting cheaper! And now this???
I rarely leave my home, but I think I’m being forced to become a prisoner in my home! Living (existing) in the UK, is becoming a bloody horrible place to reside!
We can hardly blame them for getting income from sources other than tax. We keep on voting for governments that promise to take kless tax but still expect to get all the benefits that taxes pay for – it has to come from some where
The penalties should not be fines but points on your licence if they are trying to improve safety. 2 points means little risk to anyone who drives carefully but will make someone who’s already got 6 points think very carefully!
Just like speed cameras, congestion charge, road tax the fines are to tax the motorist.
Lets get some more money out of them while making it anti-social to drive, force EV’s on us, pay for buses and tubes that most cannot use, create unused cycle lanes. On the basis it will make it safer and ease traffic congestion rather than spending money on roads, smart solutions to congestion and repairing potholes. Proper use of boxes does work but fining those that get caught by circumstances is nonsense
Cycle lanes that are shown by broken lines can be used by other vehicles but priority must be given to any cyclists using the lane. Bus lanes are not all 24-hours, so other vehicles can enter them outside of the signposted hours. All as stated in the Highway Code. As always you must read and understand the rules set out in the Highway Code, they cover drivers, cyclists, walkers, motorcyclists, horse riders and others using the public highways (not just roads). Obey the rules and you should not be fined.
Yes dear I’ll try to remember that when obstructed or cut up by an unregistered and uninsured cyclist
What will happen when we all have to “own/drive” self driving cars, will the manufacturer then pick up the fine or will it be the owner (registered keeper)? Till then I’m just glad I mainly drive on country roads.
My blood pressure increases when I read of yet another ploy to fleece the motorist of yet more cash. I have been the ‘victim’ of being blocked into having to stop on a box junction where the car in my exit didn’t pull forward enough. This particular junction I discovered had made the local council around £2.5 million ovcer the time it had existed and this incident was several years ago! I get further exasperated when I see the almost TOTAL lack of reaction to the riding of e-Scooters on roads and pavements by the police. This mode of transport is actually illegal to ride on anything but private land. The current penalty is £300 and the confiscation of the e-Scooter. I’ve witnessed people scooting past stationary police cars and the police do absolutely nothing about it…..nothing short of a disgrace!
Local Authorities should be forced to undertake a zero-based budgeting exercise where they start from nothing and justify every expenditure. That would get rid of inflated salaries, pet projects, non-jobs, unnecessary expenses, etc. Elected officials and public employees don’t seem to realise they are spending OUR money. As regards what they spend it on, let’s keep to the basics. No marketing, fancy conferences, etc. And sell off the swanky offices, downsize and move the ones that remain to cheaper business parks. The problem with the public sector is it’s not run like a business. If it was, most of these clowns would have been FIRED years ago!
It’s a further step down the road of big brother has full control with no allowance for the full circumstances
In London many years ago, I was once forced to stop abruptly due to the van in front of me braking for a woman with a pram suddenly crossing in front of him (when she obviously shouldn’t have done). When the fine and photo arrived the next day!!!!…. it showed about 18 inches of my boot still in the yellow hatched area. It must have been all of 5 seconds before I moved off again. I guess the fine was more important than the lives of a woman and a baby?
One day, motorists will revolt against this, so obvious, exploitation of the the cash-cow driver by councils who need the funds to pay the exorbitant salaries of the fat-cat managers who sit in their ivory towers dreaming up ways to fund their own lifestyles. “Power to the people”!