London drivers issued with 1.4m traffic penalties in one year

Authorities in London issued more than 1.4 million penalties for moving traffic violations in 2017-18, representing a 30 per cent increase on the previous financial year.

New figures show a total of 1,439,942 penalty charge notices were issued by 29 London councils in 2017-18, meaning there are some 3,945 offences in the capital every day. The City of London issued the most penalties – a total of 192,841 over the 12-month period, which equates to 528 per day and marks a year-on-year rise of 1,663 per cent.

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The data, analysed by private plate firm Click4Reg.co.uk, also reveals Kingston Council had a larger fall in penalties issued than any other authority – a 22 per cent drop from 84,072 in 2016-17 to 65,634 in 2017-18.

Meanwhile, the London Borough of Bexley issued the lowest number of penalties in total – just 11,365 of them, which is 10 per cent less than the year before. Barnet Council, though, had the second-highest number with 86,578 – a 55 per cent rise year-on-year.

Moving traffic violations cover a range of different offences, including using a route restricted to certain types of vehicles (bus lanes for example), performing a prohibited left or right turn, failing to comply with a no-entry sign, and stopping in yellow box junctions. Drivers who are caught committing any of these offences on CCTV are liable to pay a fine.

Elie Fakhoury, managing director of Click4Reg.co.uk, commented: “Drivers who commit moving traffic violations can pose a real threat to the well-being of other road users. Consequently, it's important offenders face the appropriate consequences to deter them from taking unnecessary chances and performing risky manoeuvres which break the law.

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“For many, the punishment they face usually comes in the form of a penalty charge notice. By the sheer amount of penalty charge notices issued, this research certainly shows that the prevalence of moving traffic infringements in London is certainly higher than anyone would expect.

“Given the capitals busy roads, individuals should consistently seek to re-familiarise themselves with the rules, markings and signs in the highway code. In turn, this will not only minimise the number of moving traffic contraventions but more importantly, increase the level of awareness and care taken by drivers whilst on the road.”

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