Kent County Council is currently consulting people in the county on plans to use new powers to enforce moving traffic offences.

It’s looking for feedback on enforcement of driving through a No Entry sign, making banned turns, entering yellow box junctions when the exit isn’t clear, driving where and when motor vehicles are prohibited and driving on routes that are for buses and taxis only.

These rules can currently only be enforced by the police under criminal law, but the Department for Transport’s decision to fully implement the remaining elements of the Traffic Management Act allows Highway Authorities to undertake enforcement.

Kent says its first step is to apply to the DfT for the powers to enforce key highway restrictions or prohibitions to make roads safer and less congested. If it is granted these powers, it will be able to use them across the county. However, at first it is planning to use the powers at seven sites.

Kent will be setting out the approach to the enforcement of moving traffic offences. In line with DfT guidance, it will state that Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras can only be used to enforce against moving traffic offences at sites where all other methods of deterrent have been tried, but further measures are still required.

If approved, the new regulations are expected to come into effect in June 2022, with enforcement starting in late 2022/early 2023.

The consultation closes on 9 May.

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