MOTORISTS have been warned that “secret spy cars” will be sent out to catch drivers breaking the law, as road rules are shaken up.
Birmingham City Council has made an application to the Department for Transport to take powers for enforcing certain traffic violations.
GettyBirmingham City Council could gain powers to fine motorists for certain road offences[/caption]
The rollout of the powers, which is expected to take place later this year, will see council bosses initially focus on six key junctions.
The powers will concentrate on drivers who make banned turns or ignore no entry signs.
They were previously the responsibility of the police but with the force not having the resources to monitor the roads where this happens most offenders go unpunished.
In a significant move, the government is now allowing councils to fine motorists instead – which potentially would open up a money-making opportunity for the authority.
The key hotspots Birmingham council will be focusing on include banned left and right turns in the city centre and no entry roads in Sutton Coalfield.
Bosses at the council have suggested the powers could be rolled out further across the city, saying the hotspots are the “first” locations to be used.
While the move is likely to be financially lucrative for the council, the cabinet member for transport has said it was about road safety.
Cllr Liz Clements said: “Our ambition should be for less congestion on our roads, making it easier for public transport and active travel – improving pedestrian and cyclist safety as well as ensuring drivers are safe.
“This is why the council is applying to the Department for Transport to be given powers to deal with moving traffic offences, which currently sit with the police – they struggle to enforce them properly alongside other priorities.”
She added: “This is not simply about fining motorists or having power for its own sake; the fewer fines the better because that means drivers are complying with the law, being safe for all road users even or choosing to leave their car at home.
“It is about keeping the city moving and keeping people safe and any money raised will go into transport projects.
“And remember, these are not new restrictions but existing rules of the road that drivers should already be following, but we will have the power to enforce them and we will communicate to the public when that enforcement starts.”
GettyThe council is expected to send out ‘secret spy cars’ to enforce the road laws[/caption] Read More