Driving fines to be based on CCTV footage

Story link: Driving fines to be based on CCTV footage by Jan Harris

New legislation is to be introduced allowing Councils to issue fines for driving infringements, based on CCTV footage alone.

The changes to the Traffic Management Act will come into force from 31 March. Local authorities outside of London will then be able to use CCTV evidence to issue tickets. Previously, tickets could only be issued outside London by traffic wardens and police.

Since London has been allowed to use CCTV for driver penalties, the number of parking fines issued has doubled.

GE Fleet Services has recently released figures showing that its drivers were given the most fines by London authorities. Outside of London, Gwent issued the most fines, and was in 6th place overall in terms of the number of fines issued.

The AA has raised concern that using CCTV footage to issue fines is inflexible. It is encouraging motorists to appeal against fines issued in this way, as many appeals are proving successful.