Coventry Council is applying moving traffic enforcement powers to help make its roads safer and reduce congestion.
The powers would also be in addition to those the Council currently has to enforce parking on yellow lines and driving in bus lanes.
The Council is now able to apply for moving traffic enforcement powers which are currently enforced by the police.
Before it makes the application, the Council want to know what local people think and have put together a short survey to gather responses.
Cllr Patricia Hetherton, Cabinet Member responsible for City Services at the local authority said: “We already have powers to address dangerous and illegal parking, but the application for moving traffic offences would help us address moving offences for banned turns, waiting in yellow boxed junctions and entering restricted areas when not permitted.
“It’s a way of improving road safety and would help ease congestion at some junctions. We would like to hear what local people think.”
Moving traffic restrictions are designated by traffic signs and road markings. Vehicles that ignore moving traffic restrictions create potential dangers to pedestrians and other road users.
The restrictions can currently only be enforced by the police with fixed penalty notices resulting in fines and/or driving endorsement powers.
However, it is difficult for the police to manage this alongside other priorities.
The benefits of the Council having the power to enforce moving traffic enforcement include:
- *improving pedestrian and cyclist safety
- *reducing congestion
- *improving journey times for public transport
- *improving safety around schools
Enforcement would be undertaken using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera technology. Fines would be sent by post to road users who continue to ignore restrictions.
