More than half of drivers now face fines from cash-strapped local authorities for entering yellow boxes, making illegal U-turns or Village life travelling in bus lanes under new powers for town halls.
Laws passed in May 2022 allowed local councils to apply for the special powers, previously only held by police, to fine drivers for 'moving traffic offences'.
Since then 85 out of 152 of England's highway authorities have been granted the ability to enforce fines of up to £70 for such violations, as two thirds of councils claimed the police did not actively enforce the measures.
However the AA has suggested that 'cash-strapped councils', such as Birmingham and Nottingham, who declared themselves bankrupt last year, will use this as 'a new revenue stream'.
Birmingham City Council has denied that it will use these new powers to appease their current expected deficit for 2023/24 of £87million.
New laws passed in May 2022 allowed local councils to apply for the special powers, previously only held by police, to fine drivers for 'moving traffic offences' (stock image)
It's a little known fact, that nobody cycles in Ealing on a Sunday. And with that in mind, @EalingCouncil decided to lift all parking restrictions in the entire cycling infrastructure in West Ealing to promote local businesses. As you can see, it has proven to be a big hit pic.twitter.com/lQVi9h0XFQ
— Walking Marky. (@CitizenUddin) March 17, 2024
More than 27 million potential drivers live in these areas and are at risk of the fines, which range from £20 for lower level penalties paid within 14 or 21 days (depending on the council) and up to £105 for late payment of higher level penalties such as bus lane contraventions or parking a vehicle on a cycle path.
It comes as footage emerged earlier this month of a self-styled TikTok millionaire driving his £130,000 Mercedes G Wagon down an empty bus lane to avoid a row of cars waiting in traffic.
The cost of fines for driving in bus lanes vary across the country. Inside Greater London, you may may be charged up to £160, or £80 if you pay within 14 days, while in other parts of the country it can cost up to £60.
READ MORE: Councils 'are going bust due to bad management NOT lack of funding', says watchdog
Advertisement
A Freedom of Information request by the RAC in August 2020 found that local authorities in London and Cardiff (the only cities to already have such civil enforcement powers) generated almost £60 million from enforcement of these offences in 2018/19.
A survey of council leaders, chief executives, chief finance officers and cabinet members for finance by the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) found 51 per cent fear bankruptcy in the next parliament without funding reform.
Nearly one in 10 (9 per cent) of those surveyed also said they were likely to declare effective bankruptcy - by issuing a Section 114 notice - in the next financial year.
Since then 85 out of 152 of England's highway authorities have been granted the ability to enforce fines of up to £70 for such violations. Stock image of car driving in a bus lane
Dear @metpoliceuk
Could you send officers to Madeley Road, Ealing please?
Drivers seem a bit confused by what "No Entry" means.
Luckily though, it was only a couple. Of hundred. pic.twitter.com/skCqAmVyFM
— Walking Marky. (@CitizenUddin) January 25, 2024
Birmingham City Council has declared itself effectively bankrupt with a current expected deficit for 2023/24 of £87million
Jack Cousens, the head of roads policy at the AA, said: 'Allowing local authorities the power to fine drivers for yellow box junction infringements has undoubtedly opened up a new revenue stream for cash-strapped councils. Some drivers may feel this is yet another example of being used as a wallet on wheels.'
He added: 'The vast majority of drivers do not break the rules on purpose, which is why we have always argued that first time offenders should receive a warning letter, and that a 'fines threshold' should be set, so that councils have to investigate and improve schemes that are earning huge sums.'
A Birmingham council spokesperson said: 'The first call of revenues will be to fund the operating costs of the scheme and any remaining potential surplus reinvested in transport and highways schemes/activity in accordance with our transport policies as per the provisions of the Transport Act 2000.'
A Department for Transport spokesman said: 'As part of our Plan for Drivers, we are committed to ensuring councils don't unfairly penalise motorists to raise revenue and are reviewing our guidance around yellow boxes to tackle overzealous enforcement.'
It comes as motorists are also being targeted in new clean air plans in Oxford, as it is set to rapidly expand its zero emission zone (ZEZ) and issue double fines for drivers.
Under the new plans, the ZEZ, which currently covers just a handful of streets, would be increased to include the wider city centre.
The standard charges for petrol cars would also be hiked from £4 to £8 with non-compliant trucks or buses hit with a whopping £50 fee to drive in the zone.
Similarly, Wales' war on drivers is continuing after a record number of speeding fines in 20mph zones were handed out last year.
Nottingham Council and the RAC have been approached for comment.
Laws passed in May 2022 allowed local councils to apply for the special powers, previously only held by police, to fine drivers for 'moving traffic offences'.
Since then 85 out of 152 of England's highway authorities have been granted the ability to enforce fines of up to £70 for such violations, as two thirds of councils claimed the police did not actively enforce the measures. However the AA has suggested that 'cash-strapped councils', such as Birmingham and Nottingham, who declared themselves bankrupt last year, will use this as 'a new revenue stream'.
Birmingham City Council has denied that it will use these new powers to appease their current expected deficit for 2023/24 of £87million.
New laws passed in May 2022 allowed local councils to apply for the special powers, previously only held by police, to fine drivers for 'moving traffic offences' (stock image)
It's a little known fact, that nobody cycles in Ealing on a Sunday. And with that in mind, @EalingCouncil decided to lift all parking restrictions in the entire cycling infrastructure in West Ealing to promote local businesses. As you can see, it has proven to be a big hit pic.twitter.com/lQVi9h0XFQ
— Walking Marky. (@CitizenUddin) March 17, 2024
More than 27 million potential drivers live in these areas and are at risk of the fines, which range from £20 for lower level penalties paid within 14 or 21 days (depending on the council) and up to £105 for late payment of higher level penalties such as bus lane contraventions or parking a vehicle on a cycle path.
It comes as footage emerged earlier this month of a self-styled TikTok millionaire driving his £130,000 Mercedes G Wagon down an empty bus lane to avoid a row of cars waiting in traffic.
The cost of fines for driving in bus lanes vary across the country. Inside Greater London, you may may be charged up to £160, or £80 if you pay within 14 days, while in other parts of the country it can cost up to £60.
READ MORE: Councils 'are going bust due to bad management NOT lack of funding', says watchdog
Advertisement
A Freedom of Information request by the RAC in August 2020 found that local authorities in London and Cardiff (the only cities to already have such civil enforcement powers) generated almost £60 million from enforcement of these offences in 2018/19.
A survey of council leaders, chief executives, chief finance officers and cabinet members for finance by the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) found 51 per cent fear bankruptcy in the next parliament without funding reform.
Nearly one in 10 (9 per cent) of those surveyed also said they were likely to declare effective bankruptcy - by issuing a Section 114 notice - in the next financial year.
Since then 85 out of 152 of England's highway authorities have been granted the ability to enforce fines of up to £70 for such violations. Stock image of car driving in a bus lane
Dear @metpoliceuk
Could you send officers to Madeley Road, Ealing please?
Drivers seem a bit confused by what "No Entry" means.
Luckily though, it was only a couple. Of hundred. pic.twitter.com/skCqAmVyFM
— Walking Marky. (@CitizenUddin) January 25, 2024
Birmingham City Council has declared itself effectively bankrupt with a current expected deficit for 2023/24 of £87million
Jack Cousens, the head of roads policy at the AA, said: 'Allowing local authorities the power to fine drivers for yellow box junction infringements has undoubtedly opened up a new revenue stream for cash-strapped councils. Some drivers may feel this is yet another example of being used as a wallet on wheels.'
He added: 'The vast majority of drivers do not break the rules on purpose, which is why we have always argued that first time offenders should receive a warning letter, and that a 'fines threshold' should be set, so that councils have to investigate and improve schemes that are earning huge sums.'
A Birmingham council spokesperson said: 'The first call of revenues will be to fund the operating costs of the scheme and any remaining potential surplus reinvested in transport and highways schemes/activity in accordance with our transport policies as per the provisions of the Transport Act 2000.'
A Department for Transport spokesman said: 'As part of our Plan for Drivers, we are committed to ensuring councils don't unfairly penalise motorists to raise revenue and are reviewing our guidance around yellow boxes to tackle overzealous enforcement.'
It comes as motorists are also being targeted in new clean air plans in Oxford, as it is set to rapidly expand its zero emission zone (ZEZ) and issue double fines for drivers.
Under the new plans, the ZEZ, which currently covers just a handful of streets, would be increased to include the wider city centre.
The standard charges for petrol cars would also be hiked from £4 to £8 with non-compliant trucks or buses hit with a whopping £50 fee to drive in the zone.
Similarly, Wales' war on drivers is continuing after a record number of speeding fines in 20mph zones were handed out last year.
Nottingham Council and the RAC have been approached for comment.