Labour-run Wandsworth Council has erected speed cameras as part of an eight-month pilot scheme to fine drivers breaking the limit. The speed cameras will see drivers receive a £130 Penalty Charge Notice if they drive faster than 20mph on Wimbledon Park Road and Priory Road in Roehampton.
Rather than a fixed penalty notice, which is only enforced by the police, drivers have the chance to reduce their £130 fine to £65 if paid within 14 days.
Drivers will not be given points on their licence or be made to attend a speed awareness course, unlike other speeding offences.
Until now only the police have been able to fine drivers for breaking speed limits, while councils are able to issue penalties for “moving traffic” offences.
This would include infractions like driving in bus lanes and stopping in yellow boxes at junctions.
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“Until now, only the Metropolitan Police have had powers to enforce speed limits, but they tend to concentrate their resources on main roads and dual carriageways, whereas most of the complaints we receive are about people driving too fast along quieter residential streets.
“Our pilot scheme will focus on two residential roads where excessive speeds are known to be an issue.”
The speed cameras are now up and running, however, warning letters will first be sent to motorists who breach the limit and in the coming weeks the first fines will start being issued.
Mr Hogg concluded, saying: “If judged a success, we will look to make it permanent and carry out enforcement in other parts of the borough where we know vehicle speeds are excessive.”
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Any income from speeding cameras around the country is usually paid to the Treasury.
However, the money raised through the Wandsworth system will be reinvested back into local road safety initiatives.
RAC road safety spokesperson, Simon Williams, said one of the biggest complaints about 20mph limits is that they are rarely enforced which leads to poor compliance.
He continued, saying: “This scheme, on two stretches of road which currently have far too many speeders, has the potential to dramatically improve compliance which has to be a positive road safety step.
“While the thought of councils beginning to enforce speed limits instead of the police may be worrying to some, it could be just what’s needed to make 20mph limits more effective.
“Arguably, fining people with penalty charge notices instead of immediately issuing fixed penalty notices and putting points on licences could be a fairer way of dealing with the problem, particularly as so many drivers tell us they find it hard to drive at 20mph.
“We would, however, like to see those drivers who speed excessively referred to the police for prosecution as they present a much greater risk to pedestrian and cyclist safety.
“Consideration should also be given to those who regularly break the limit as it would be very wrong if more affluent drivers continued to disregard 20mph limits just because they can easily afford to pay the fines.”
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