CCTV reveals mew council methods for dishing out motoring fines

An investigation has shown that, using CCTV to capture errant motorists, the councils are using new methods of giving out fines in an effort to meet certain targets. In the last 20 years, the number of drivers on the road has increased by 30%, and the number if fines have also increased substantially, sparking fears that the motorists are being used as cash cows.

In one case, after being issued with a ticket, a driver in Hammersmith and Fulham, asked the council to give him certain documents, as a Freedom of Information request, and he was able to get information that was sent by email between the officers.

Adam Show, who did the investigation into fines for Panorama, said that there was talk about financial targets, with some of the officials displaying dismay, when the volume of fines reduced. One of the emails is said to mention a worrying start as the charges seemed to be reducing. He said this on an interview with BBC Radio Four’s Today programme

However, according to the Hammersmith and Fulham Council, the emails do not represent the attitude of the council. They denied that there was a culture of using fines to raise revenues.

The investigation, aired on the programme Traffic Fines – Highway Robbery?, looks at the volume of fines that were issued by the authorities, even as they claimed that they were trying to keep traffic flowing efficiently. Mr. Shaw said that the councils were trying to grab more power and were setting themselves for a drawn out fight with drivers.

Tonight, at 7.30pm, the show will be broadcast, and it will show how the councils, including that at Reading, which has the highest number of fines issued to drivers who were using the bus lanes, are using devious methods in which to charge drivers.