IT HAS BEEN, by all accounts, a great success, especially at dealing with parking outside schools but the government is now looking at banning councils such as Thurrock from using spy cars
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said he wanted to “rein in over-zealous and unfair rules”.
In the past five year, “spy-car” or CCTV cameras have been used to issue more than 10 million fines, totalling £301m, in the past five years, the Conservatives say.
The critics say they are nothing more than there as a cash-making exercise as well as intrusive.
I’m glad that the national Conservatives are remembering their supossed conservative roots and looking to ban these cars. The introduction of them has nothing to do with fining people for bad parking and all to do with making extra revenue for the council. The stupid thing with these cars is they often have to be parked illegally themselves to catch people stopping on a yellow line for 5 mins whilst they pop into the newsagent or get the kids in the car.
I see nothing wrong with the council making a bit of money from motorists who park illegally. If it deters idiot parents from parking in dangerous places then surely that is all to the good. I don’t call it over zealous trying to stop people parking illegally outside of schools. If Mr Pickles thinks it is unfair to put no parking signs outside school grounds, then he should say so and concentrate his efforts in getting them removed.
Bernard87 – For once, and to my great surprise, I agree with you. Although, as the spy-car was GENERATING REVENUE, shouldn’t you be AGAINST banning the cars as you always bang on against how much money is spent out of the public coffers? Just saying… 🙂
Thurrock’s spy car was a Conservative idea
Myles – Likewise! I am against these cars as they are sold to the public as a means of catching bad parking/driving but in reality they are simply there to make money for the council. I don’t mind if the coucil just admitted they needed more revenue and targetting drivers was the easiest way to gain that extra money.
I’m no fan of the big brother state and this feels very much like that.
Ed – I know. It’s still an awful idea.
Bernard87. Would you be happier if the money collected went to charity? There must be a way of punishing these drivers who have no regard for public safety, or indeed the safety of their own offspring.
Bernard87 – the whole idea was to raise revenue – the discussions about the car centred on how much money it could raise. The then Portfolio Holder, scared about the negative publicity, wasn’t going to introduce the car until after the local elections, but fate intervened and Labour took control.
The Doove – Use traffic wardens outside schools or other areas where there is a problem with parking. That will soon make people think twice if they know the area is littered with wardens, especially outside schools. As I said upstream, and as Ed has pointed out. These cars are a money making scheme. Nothing more.
I disagree.
I think that they are a necessary evil what with a few lazy parents parking their cars illegally.
I now have two dashcams, one in the front and one in the rear of my car, constantly recording bad driving habits.