Six other sneaky tricks that snare motorists
Fuel emission
ENTER a so-called ‘ultra low emission zone’ in Central London and you may get hit with a £160 penalty (£80 if paid in 14 days) if your car breaks emission limits introduced last year – and you have not paid a daily £12.50 charge that allows such cars in this area.
To avoid the levy, petrol cars must pass a ‘Euro 4’ emission test and diesel ones a ‘Euro 6’ standard. These measure the level of pollutants such as nitrogen oxide that your car emits. Find if your car will pass the gas-guzzling test at the Vehicle Certification Agency website. Spy cameras automatically look up a vehicle by reading the registration plate to see if the car is liable.
Toll bridge
YOU no longer have to stop and hand over your money at a toll bridge – but do it online or via phone. Unfortunately this makes it easier to forget paying and getting a penalty.
For the Dartford Crossing (either bridge or tunnel) in Essex, it is £2.50 one way or £5 return. Forget and you face a £70 fine – reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days. Cameras read your car registration plate number.
Wrong turn
SPY cameras being introduced by councils for yellow box junctions will also be used to catch drivers going the wrong way up a one-way street or taking a turn in a direction which a sign says they cannot take – which might include a U-turn.
Motorists can get a £130 penalty charge notice that is halved to £65 if paid within 14 days.
Bus lane
GOING into a bus lane – even to avoid an accident – can end up with a penalty charge notice. These can be as high as £160 – reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days. Spy cameras are not just put on street corners but also on the back of buses.
Congestion charge
A CHARGE for driving in Central London was raised to £15 a day in June, with the hours extended to include weekends. Failure to pay can result in a £160 fine, reduced to £80 if paid in 14 days. There is a congestion charge in Durham of £2 a day, where failure to pay gets you a £50 fine.
Low speed limit
THIS year, a 20mph speed limit was introduced in Central London copying a similar scheme in Bristol. Breaking the limit can result in a £100 fine and three points on your driving licence.