Proposals for new powers to tackle moving driving offences
Dudley Council has outlined plans to apply for powers to enforce a range of driving offences in a bid to improve road safety, tackle congestion and improve air quality.
In a report to next week’s cabinet, members will be asked to agree to a public consultation on the proposals to seek powers from the Department for Transport to enforce moving traffic offences.
This would allow the council to introduce targeted camera enforcement at identified individual problem locations for moving traffic offences, subject to consultations for each location.
Offences would include stopping in a yellow box junction, where not permitted to, making banned right or left turns or illegal U-turns, ignoring no-entry restrictions or going the wrong way in a one-way street.
Subject to the outcome of the consultation, an application will be made to the Department for Transport to seek powers to enforce moving traffic offences, with the aim to begin implementing them in 2024.
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.
If a DfT application was approved, cameras would be installed at locations across the borough. Initial locations would be proposed before the consultation, but cameras could subsequently be moved to target different areas where problems have been identified, subject to further consultations.
Enforcement would be via Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera technology, with Penalty Charge Notices of £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days, sent automatically to drivers who break the law at these locations.
Warning notices would be issued to drivers breaking restrictions for the first 6 months of enforcement at each location, instead of a Penalty Charge Notice.