Bus lane fines have nothing to do with safety on roads
By Plymouth Herald | Thursday, February 21, 2013, 05:30
I WAS horrified, but not surprised, to read that 33,715 have been caught driving in bus lanes, most, I suspect, for merely just chopping off a corner or two.
But if the public thinks that this is going to be the only plan dreamed up to extract more money from the unwary motorist then think again, as councils across the country, according to a national press report, are making millions out of other schemes, such as dropping litter (which I agree with), parking offences, paying for bedrooms not being used etc. This is just the tip of the iceberg and there will be other wardens or cameras spying around corners.
But do you notice that it's only the car driver that is getting penalised, not the motorcyclist roaring up Tavistock Road at 100 mph, or the cyclist who totally ignores traffic lights as if it doesn't concern them. I was always under the impression that it was the police's job to see to road safety, and now councils are taking over that role under the guise of 'road safety'.
Pauline Burrows (the council's parking systems manager) is having a laugh when she states: 'Cameras were introduced in bus lanes where there were road safety concerns and where buses were facing issues with punctuality'. Tell that to the fairies Ms Burrows, as this has nothing to do with road safety, but revenue making, now that the Gatso camera is defunct.
Most bus lanes I see around the city are hardly used during the day time, and to me is the main contributor of why there is so much congestion around the city roads.
Now there is another guise just waiting around the corner, 'Congestion charge' which is another scam to try to force people out of their cars and against their wishes. If that's introduced, then all it will do is drive people out of the city to retail parks where they can park for free, hence why there are so many empty shops in the city. Nothing Ms Burrows does will force people out of their cars if they don't wish to do so – it's called freedom of choice.
Those unfortunate 33,715 who have been caught have a very powerful weapon in their hands – the election box. Send a very strong message to the car haters that you are no longer going to put up with this.
JULIETTE BLUNKETT
Eggbuckland
Comments
I find these reactions quite extraordinary. It goes without saying that all traffic regulations and local byelaws should be enforced evenhandedly across the board – why should motorists receive preferential treatment? In rural areas, cars are often the only practical means of getting around at present, but surely in urban areas every effort should be made to encourage the use of public transport, walking and cycling routes and to discourage the use of private vehicles? This isn't 'car-hating', just economic and environmental common sense.
By TrubblnStrife at 12:55 on 23/02/13
ReportLets face it car owners have always been easy pickings for government and councils.If there was a bus lane on every road in Plymouth ,buses would still not run on time.As you say it is just another way to fleece the already ripped off motorist.If nobody drove their cars for a month ,they would be begging us to all start driving again.
By terrykerswill at 11:48 on 21/02/13
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