Car Drivers To Bailout Cash Strapped Local Councils - Is Yours On The List?

[Hymie]

Apparently 85 out of 152 councils have applied for the powers that will allow them to collect fines from drivers for infractions such as entering bus lanes, making illegal U-turns and not following the rules when entering junction-boxes.

 

There is a junction-box close to where I live; I could count the number of times I have observed vehicles obeying the rules at this box on the fingers of one hand – lots of money to be made there.

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13213979/Councils-wage-war-motorists-half-drivers-face-fines-cash-strapped-local-authorities-entering-yellow-boxes-making-illegal-U-turns-travelling-bus-lanes-new-powers-town-halls.html

[bhg481]

The only motorists affected by these changes are those who are breaking the law, so it's not really treating the motorist as a cash cow, just persuading them the drive considerately. The same is true of speed cameras and parking fines.

[10ClarionSt]

Thanks bhg but I don't agree. These are laws that were "invented" to raise money and are then put forward as safety measures. But there are other areas where the motorist is treated as a cash cow. For instance, extending parking hours; reducing the time allowed whilst increasing the parking fee; increasing various fines; tax on fuel; tax on insurance premiums. And none of that even mentions the charging zones and the possible introduction of mileage charges. The motorist is definitely going to pay, even if everyone has an electric vehicle, the charges will change from the current system, to mileage charges. All that technology around London isn't going to disappear with the increase in electric vehicles. It's already there to start charging for road use from next week if they wanted to.

[bhg481]

I agree that parking charges, fuel duty etc are treating the motorist as a cash cow but fining for breaking the rules is not. I pay to park in car parks but I'm careful not to overstay so I've never paid a parking fine.

[Peter Pedant]

famous junction in London - junction X which collects £30 000 in traffic fines a year

so it. ( lu-lu - ackers - munnay - "quantum of fines")...isnt going centrally, but the councils want their hot little hands on it - - no news there surely

[10ClarionSt]

Me neither, bhg. One issue I have is that since it became illegal for anyone to put a wheel clamp on a car, anyone can set up a parking company and, for a small fee, the government will disclose your personal details to them. This is totally wrong and in my opinion is a betrayal of confidence and a potential breach of the DPA. If anyone wants to set up a parking company, they should do so without the government disclosing personal information. It's totally wrong.

[drmorgans]

 

PP: New King’s Road and Bagley’s Lane in Fulham was generating £30,000, a WEEK.

 

[ToraToraTora]

10cs: "As there are less and less and less smokers, the govt and councils have got to make up for the loss of tax on tobacco," - we have a winner! Smoking does not make any money for the government it is a huge cost if you include all the indirect costs. Smokers persist with this BS to kid themselves that their disgusting habit is in some way contributing.

[tomus42]

If the money goes towards repairing the roads I don't mind.

My council must be ahead of the game because it's had all that stuff in place for years. 

[douglas9401]

By 'indirect costs' do you mean 'anything I want  to throw into the mix to try and make a case'?

Smokers contribute then die earlier thus unburdening those such as yourself who generously deign to contribute to the pot.

[davebro3]

//Smokers contribute then die earlier //

They may indeed die earlier but impose a greater burden on the NHS while doing so.

[douglas9401]

That may be the theory, davebro, the reality however is somewhat different.

Have a look around at health in the developed world regarding availability and quality of care given before falling back on the same old message.

[ToraToraTora]

Doug:"By 'indirect costs' do you mean 'anything I want  to throw into the mix to try and make a case'?" - no I mean things directly attributed to smoking but not a health cost. eg house fires, we all pay higher premiums because of smokers.

[ToraToraTora]

....then there's absenteeism which costs employers and guess who they pass those costs on to?

.... Deformed children being born needing a life time of expensive care

...cleaning up after the filthy sods

....all costs money.

 

[Old_Geezer]

Classic combination. Council proving they are the dregs of society finding any way they can to demand money for the public while dropping any service they can or reducing it to inadequate levels. Car drivers/owners being got at as they are a low hanging cash cow for the unscrupulous. Another example of the depths society is dropping.

 

Still, I suspect the drivers' money will fund lots & lots of woke pet projects, perhaps lots of integration training, along with some rainbow flags and trans propaganda pushing.

[davebro3]

//Have a look around at health in the developed world regarding availability and quality of care given //

I'll do that later - got to put some lard on the cat's boil first.🤣

[ToraToraTora]

OG: "Classic combination. Council proving they are the dregs of society finding any way they can to demand money for the public while dropping any service they can or reducing it to inadequate levels. Car drivers/owners being got at as they are a low hanging cash cow for the unscrupulous. Another example of the depths society is dropping." - but surely all they have to do is obey yellow box rules and not drive in bus lanes. Ain't rocket is it?

[douglas9401]

It's just what happens when you make motoring available to the great unwashed though Tora, innit.

[youngmafbog]

//It's just what happens when you make motoring available to the great unwashed though Tora//

Well yes thats correct, God created scum scoops they should use them.

[youngmafbog]

I have no problem with laws being enforced, but I am not sosure about Councils doing particularly if they keep the cash.

Cash should be handed over to central Government (After cost of running the enforcement is deducted) to avoid any accusations of being over zealous (Which some councils will be of course).

[barry1010]

10C, anyone can pay the small fee for registered keepers details and always have been able to.  It was £2.50 last time I did it.