Traffic cameras trained on bad drivers
The new technology should cut congestion according to supporters
Also In The News
|
All four British sides got their European Challenge Cup campaigns off to the perfect start with victories. |  |
Saturday, 21, Oct 2006 08:11
A new breed of traffic cameras that will watch over junctions and traffic hotspots is set to be rolled out throughout Britain.
They are designed to help local authorities ease congestion by targeting drivers who obstruct junctions and ignore road signs.
Already in place in parts of the capital, the cameras collected evidence used to fine over one million drivers last year but a spokesperson for London Councils denied that the income the technology generated was the motivation behind the expansion of the scheme.
"We found that using cameras to enforce minor moving traffic offences has been very successful in improving the traffic flow in London," Nick Lester told BBC Breakfast.
"For example, enforcing box junctions seriously for the first time has resulted in between 10 per cent or 20 per cent less congestion," he added.
Motoring groups have already expressed their concern at the plans that they claim amount to a victimisation of drivers who already face high levels of tax on fuel and the possibility of road toll schemes.
"We do not want it to be a gravy train really for local authorities, so there are concerns about what the motivation of the camera being there is," said Paul Watters of the AA Motoring Trust.
A government working party met for the first time this week to debate the exact type of system that was to be made available to councils around the country.
The move comes following a parliamentary decision in 2003 to allow London councils to enforce moving traffic regulations, an area which was previously the sole jurisdiction of the police.