Warning to drivers who will be fined for breaking these road rules as …
Another Black Country[1] council has warned drivers they will could face fines as part of a tough new crackdown on traffic offences. Cameras are set to go up at hotspots in Dudley[2] to punish motorists who stop in yellow boxes, make banned turns or illegal U-turns.
The local authority has become the latest to announce its plan to enforce traffic offences after powers were made available by the Department for Transport. These infringements have largely gone unpunished in the West Midlands because police don’t have the resources to enforce them but drivers are being warned that will soon change.
ANPR cameras will be used to monitor problem areas in Dudley and council bosses say those who break the laws will be hit with £70 fines, reduced to £35 if paid within two weeks. Councils will likely face accusations of using such schemes as cash cows but chiefs argue the changes will make the roads safer and keep traffic moving.
It comes after Black Country Live visited a yellow box junction[4] in Wolverhampton to see how many motorists would be fined under the new rules. Dudley becomes the latest council[5] to outline its plans, following those in Birmingham, Walsall[6] and Sandwell.
Cameras are likely to go live in Dudley next year following a consultation. Councillor Damian Corfield, cabinet member for highways and environment, said: “These new powers will enable us to target those who commit moving driving offences on our roads.
“We hope using ANPR cameras at problem locations across the borough will quickly change drivers’ behaviour, improve road safety and keep traffic moving, supporting our climate commitment to improving air quality.
“Taking on these powers also has the potential to play a key role in supporting future transport strategies, encouraging active travel and reducing carbon emissions.
References
- ^ Black Country (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Dudley (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ The speed camera locations that have caught the most drivers – ranked (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ visited a yellow box junction (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ latest council (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Walsall (www.birminghammail.co.uk)