More than 11,000 drivers fined for using bus lanes
THE number of people caught driving in bus lanes in Cardiff has reached more than 11,000 since the start of the new year.
Figures released by Cardiff council have revealed that the number of drivers caught illegally driving in bus lanes in February was 5,668. This makes a slight reduction from the number of people who were issued with penalty notices in January, which was 5,998.
Since the scheme was introduced to the capital, more than 170,000 drivers have been caught using bus lanes – the equivalent of one for every other person living in the city and it has also added £5.1m to the council’s pot.
The first seven cameras were turned on in December 2014 and another four cameras were turned on in November. They are in place on Crwys Road, Custom House Street, Duke Street, Kingsway, Newport Road, Westgate Street, Churchill Way, Llantrisant Road, North Road and Southern Way.
The highest grossing of these cameras so far was North Road after 1,054 drivers were caught in December last year. The highest city centre camera in both December and January was Custom House Street, behind the Marriott Hotel. In December, more than 2,000 drivers were caught there.
The number of people caught stopping illegally in yellow box junctions or taking banned turns has increased from 6,158 penalty notices in January to 6,722 penalty notices in February.
There was a drop in the number caught stopping on zig-zag lines or parking in bus stops from 350 penalty notices in January to 202 in February.
Matt Wakelam, operational manager for infrastructure and operations, said: “These cameras are being used to keep Cardiff moving and the locations where the cameras have been put have been widely publicised.
“Since January this year we have been enforcing banned turns and in February 6,576 Penalty Notices were issued for this breach. This has slightly reduced from January when 5,953 people were caught for this offence.
“Taking banned turns is dangerous and puts other motorists at risk. This isn’t acceptable and we will continue to enforce against those who flout the law.
“Ensuring private cars don’t drive down bus lanes is very important, so buses have a dedicated lane to transport their passengers. As the scheme continues to develop, we intend to enforce every bus lane in the city.”