Experts have urged drivers to respond to a consultation about local authorities fining motorists for traffic offences as the deadline to give evidence for proposed law changes gets extended.
Drivers were originally given until May 11 to provide feedback on how local councils operate fines and penalties. However, the Government review has now been extended to May 25.
One expert explained how, once operational, the proposed changes will help ensure local authorities no longer profit beyond the initial traffic violation and could save drivers money and “restore public confidence”.
Previously, drivers complained of steep council fines for breaching traffic rules, such as driving in a bus lane or stopping in yellow box junctions.
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Councils were previously criticised for profiting off traffic violations
GETTYDarren Miller, from BigWantsYourCar.com said: “The rules, originally set to take effect on May 25, would have required local councils to remit any additional funds from £130 fines for specific driving offences to the Treasury.
"Currently, councils can retain any surplus funds after covering enforcement costs.
"However, there are concerns that some councils may be improperly targeting these violations to generate income rather than for legitimate traffic management.
"Under the proposed new rules, any surplus revenue from these specific offences would need to be paid to the Treasury instead of being kept by the councils.”
Miller added that having the Treasury receive the funds instead would help eliminate any perception that councils are issuing fines primarily as a “revenue source” rather than for safety reasons.
Drivers had previously been fined up to £70, or up to £130 in London, with any excess being kept by the local authority.
While councils have the ability to enforce traffic laws, the expert explained how this change could help restore “public confidence” if fines are being appropriately issued for safety purposes rather than to raise revenues.
He said it “strikes a balance” between the two and allows councils to cover their enforcement expenses but prevents them from profiting beyond that from traffic violation fines.
In March, the Government launched an open call for evidence to ask drivers for their opinions on the generation of surplus funds from traffic contraventions.
The following month, it was revealed that drivers were forced to pay local councils as much as £5.5million in parking fines across public roads and spaces every day.
Research found that drivers paid £1.93billion in parking charges and fines between 2022 and April 2023, an increase from £1.76billion the previous year.
This year, several councils revealed they would increase their parking charges further, with some going as high as 60 per cent to help raise revenues and tackle inflation.
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Fines for stopping in a yellow box junction can cost as much as £70
PAThe bid to show support for motorists was originally launched in the Plan for Drivers by Transport Secretary Mark Harper who wanted to ensure "consistency and stop drivers from being penalised unfairly”.