Motor Lawyers Blog – Motoring News

Norfolk Safety Camera Partnership today launched their new “multi angle safety camera van” as part of their efforts to prosecute speeding motorcyclists. The partnership accepts that previously it had difficulty convicting motorcyclists for speeding offences because the lack of front number plates made identification difficult.

The new camera van, which is fitted with multi directional cameras and recording systems, results in vehicles being identified from front, side and rear angles.  It is designed to eliminate the problems previously encountered with motorcyclists, as it will allow recordings to be taken of vehicles as they approach and leave the speed check with the result that a number plate will always be obtained.

Similar devices have been used successfully by other police forces, encouraging Norfolk Safety Camera Partnership to invest as the area has a disproportionately high number of incidents involving speeding motorcyclists.

Related Legal Link
Speeding Offences

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In a bid to ease motorway congestion, the first motorway car-share lane has opened in West Yorkshire. The lane stretches 1.7 miles and links the southbound M606 from Bradford to the eastbound M62 towards Leeds and it is estimated will save the average commuter 30-40 minutes per week.

What are the rules/which vehicles are entitled to use the car-sharing lane?

Vehicles must be carrying two or more people.
Motorcyclists can use the lane and do not need to carry an extra passenger.
Heavy goods vehicles are not allowed to use the lane.

What is the Penalty if I breach the rules?
Those who get caught can expect a £30 fixed penalty ticket.

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The Highway, E1, has never been the easiest access to and from London with 4 speed cameras within the space of a quarter of a mile and a further 6 cameras in the adjacent Limehouse Link. However, motorists, particular motorcyclists, have also recently been subject to mobile checks which the Police have been carrying out at the junction of Ensign Way, adjacent to the News International buildings.

These checks are becoming increasingly common with the Police not only targeting speeding motorists, but also any vehicle that encroaches the hatch markings.

Users of the road should be alert to the fact that fixed penalties are being handed out in large numbers as the Police seek to enforce compliance on one of the busiest routes into the City.

Motor Lawyers have noticed a large increase in enquiries over the last few days, particularly from motorcyclists who believe that they are entitled to use the hatch markings on the basis that it is bordered by broken white lines.

Rule 130 of the Highway Code states that:

Chevrons bordered by broken white lines are there to separate traffic lanes and should not be entered “unless it is necessary and you can see that it is safe to do so”. 

Consequently, using them to overtake slow moving traffic is not “necessary” and will result in 3 penalty points and a £60 fine.

Related Legal Links
Speeding Offences
Fixed Penalty Notice

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The Mayor of London has released plans to increase, to £25.00, the daily charge for G-Band vehicles to enter the London Congestion Charge Zone.

The proposal is that from the 28 October 2008 any car that produces more than 225g of CO₂ per kilometre will pay the £25.00 premium charge, compared to the current £8.00 daily rate. Generally speaking, this will affect more or less all vehicles with engines of 3 litres or more and older vehicles that are less environmentally efficient. 

Cars that fall within bands A and B would be exempt on the basis that they produce emissions of 120g of CO₂ per kilometre. The A-G Band is based on the department of transport emissions scale.

The other most pertinent parts of the proposals are that residents within the zone would lose completely their discount if they own a Band G vehicle. Those that run hybrid Band G vehicles would not have to pay the charge until 2010 at which point, the full £25 daily rate would be imposed.

Given that there will be an election in advance of the implementation date, the proposals could be drastically altered and/or scrapped completely should there be a change of office.

CO₂  Charging - Transport for London
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/congestioncharging/7394.aspx

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