‘It’s simple’ – drivers have their say after 1,400 traffic camera fines handed out in 24 hours

Drivers have had their say after 4000 fines were handed out within a month following the installation of new traffic cameras in Liverpool. Thousands of drivers were caught out in the first 24 hours of new traffic cameras going live in Liverpool city centre[1] after Liverpool Council[2] was granted new powers[3] to punish people who flout specific regulations like driving through no entry signs and zones dedicated for buses and taxis. Those found doing so face a penalty of a GBP70 fine.

New local authority data revealed how many drivers fell foul of the new cameras in the first weeks of the roll out. The specialist devices have been placed at Lime Street's junction with London Road and Ranelagh Street at Brownlow Hill.

Under the new powers, which will include the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, those waiting too long at yellow box junctions, banned turns and misuse of bus gates could face a fixed penalty charge notice (PCN).

During the first six months following implementation of moving traffic enforcement in practice, Liverpool Council is to issue warning notices for first-time moving traffic contraventions. These advise that any further moving traffic contravention at the same camera location would result in the issuing of a PCN. An update on the city's parking strategy confirmed more than 4,000 motorists had been caught flouting the rules between November 20 and December 14.

Of those, 1,400 were identified in the first 24 hours. More than 2,500 warnings were issued in the initial three weeks of the cameras being in place. Following the revelation of the number of fines handed out ECHO readers and drivers have had their say through the comments section on our website and on our social media page.[6][7]

Liverpool ECHO user cheeseontoast7 wrote: "Nothing wrong with the rules. They're basic Highway Code rules that all drivers should adhere to. "The ones that have been caught either just don't care (the type of driver to give the middle finger if you blast your horn after they cut you up) or they're driving without due care and attention.

The amount of drivers that can't follow simple road signs and directions is shocking." Meanwhile use thelooker56218 said: "Just adhere to the rules of the road then? Absolutely simple!"

Matthew Needham-Flynn wrote: "Easiest option is don't speed or run a red light . Not rocket science tbh, if you get flashed then there should be no sympathy. Should be a 1 month ban min and 3 points."

bluespud7 wrote: "You don't break the traffic laws you don't get the fine, simple." And Fibonnaci wrote: "I won't take any chances taking my car into town.... it's either bus or an Uber.... I'm lucky enough to live quite near to town, so it's not too expensive.

Rather pay Uber than a fine to LCC. "Hopefully it gets illegal cars and illegal drivers off the roads too, there isn't a day passes when a serious life changing or life taking accident isn't reported on this site, and it's nearly always the fault of a driver breaking the law." diga6 wrote: "I dropped a relative off at Lime Street Station one night in December.

I don't know where I went wrong, I don't know the city centre, didn't see any sign and received a warning notice ( thankfully). I hope the signage is better illuminated." The new powers granted were previously solely available to London to enforce moving vehicle contraventions.

This had been the responsibility of the police. The documents, to be discussed by the city council's sustainable, safe and thriving neighbourhoods scrutiny committee next week, said there are currently 41 civil enforcement officers in post across Liverpool. The service has identified that a further 74 staff could be considered to "further enhance the impact of parking enforcement within the city."

In September, the local authority also confirmed it would seek to bring back bus lanes[8] as part of its wide-ranging four year transport strategy.

The new committee documents said work will get underway to establish how this can be achieved.

Win an incredible airport experience and flights to your chosen destination with Liverpool John Lennon Airport[9]

References

1. ^ Liverpool city centre (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
2. ^ Liverpool Council (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
3. ^ new powers (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
4. ^ Staggering number of drivers caught out by new traffic cameras revealed (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
5. ^ In nine months 125,718 drivers were given parking fines in Liverpool (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
6. ^ comments section on our website (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
7. ^ social media page. (www.facebook.com)
8. ^ bring back bus lanes (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
9. ^ Win an incredible airport experience and flights to your chosen destination with Liverpool John Lennon Airport (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)