Liverpool City Council is opening a consultation on the acquisition of new powers from the Department of Transport (DfT) that would allow the local authority to enforce moving traffic offences (MTOs).
Criminal law currently dictates that such offences can only be enforced by the police. The council hopes that, if the powers are granted, they could be used to deploy more dedicated enforcement and improve compliance with traffic restrictions in the area.
One part of its new duties would include the using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to monitor drivers’ activity. Some of the behaviours it would be looking to prevent include: undertaking banned turns, driving through ‘No Entry’ signs, driving in bus or taxi lanes, entering a yellow box junction and more.
What’s more, the granting of these powers could also be used to help cut congestion, improve pedestrian and cyclist safety and journeys times, better local air quality and reduce transport emissions.
The council has said it will use the powers in areas across the city if the motion is approved by DfT.
