New cameras catch 40,000 drivers in six months

Drivers will now be fined rather than receive a warning letter as the cameras six-month notice period is over

Warning letters have been sent to 40,000 drivers caught committing traffic offences in Liverpool after new number plate recognition cameras were installed six months ago.

Drivers committing offences for the first time will now be given £70 fines instead of a written warning after an initial six-month notice period ended.

Liverpool City Council said it had issued about 40,000 warnings and close to 3,000 fines to repeat offenders during that time.

The council installed the automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras as part of new enforcement powers granted by the Department of Transport to tackle unlawful and dangerous driving.

The new powers allow local authorities to penalise poor driving habits which previously could only be enforced by the police under criminal law.

The council said the move would also help reduce congestion, improve air quality and road safety, and encourage sustainable travel.

'Educate people'

Dan Barrington, cabinet member for environment and climate change, said: "These new powers to enforce moving traffic contraventions are a key part of a wider programme to improve road safety across the city.

"Our overall aim is to educate people to be more patient behind the wheel, and ideally encourage people to think twice about using the car at all."

Examples of the type of moving traffic offences that can be enforced under the new powers include undertaking, driving through a no entry sign, driving in a route permitted for buses and taxis only, or through a school street, pedestrian or cycle zone.

There are currently eight cameras in the city centre, including one which recently went live on the Strand at George’s Dock Gates.

There are also cameras operating outside two south Liverpool primary schools during term times.