From 31 May 2022, local authorities in England outside of London have been able to apply to the Secretary of State for new powers to enforce ‘moving traffic offences’. This means they can be granted powers that have previously been held only by the police and will be able to issue fines to drivers for these offences for the first time.
The Minister for Roads and Local Transport, Richard Holden MP, has signed the Designation Order necessary to enable civil enforcement of moving traffic contraventions in the County of West Sussex.
The Order was laid in Parliament on 27 June and will come into force on 22 July 2023.
The Order designates West Sussex County Council as a civil enforcement area for moving traffic contraventions, such as making banned right turns, failing to observe no entry restrictions, driving in mandatory cycle lanes, and occupying yellow box junctions.
Commenting on this update, Mims Davies MP, said:
Used appropriately, these new civil enforcement powers will play a key role in improving the efficiency and safety of journeys for all road users, and I am delighted to see West Sussex County Council receiving these powers.
The levels of fines that can be imposed are specified in a schedule to the General Provisions SI. They range from £20 for lower level penalties paid promptly, up to £105 for late payment of higher level penalties (such as bus lane contraventions, or parking a vehicle on a cycle path).
The Government has said in this SI’s explanatory notes that it expects councils to issue warning notices for first-time offences, before issuing fines.