Minor traffic offences handed over to Local.....

Metropolitan Police officers have been stripped of powers to enforce a number of traffic offences involving major road signs from today, PistonHeads has learnt. A set of Met Police guidelines has been passed to us that illustrate exactly which misdemeanours officers are no longer allowed to deal with.
These include ‘no entry’, ‘one way’, and ‘no U turn’ signs. It is understood that police officers are furious at the reduction in their powers, which has been implemented with immediate effect. The enforcement now lies with Transport for London and the London local authorities and in many cases cameras will be used to catch motorists.

The memo, which was circulated to officers today, reads: ‘Where officers witness offences in circumstances that amount to minor errors of judgement, drivers may continue to be stopped and words of advice given, however, no formal warning may be given or reporting action taken.

‘Officers must not tell drivers that no proceedings will be brought as a local authority civil enforcement notice could still be issued, for example where the authority has captured the offence on camera.’

Just two thirds of London local authorities are thought to have agreed to take up enforcement. The Traffic Management Act 2004 and the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2003 introduced provisions for the new changes.

If Met Police officers see driving that is ‘blatantly of a poor standard’ they can still intervene and take action under the charge of dangerous driving. A Met Police spokeswoman confirmed that police officers had been instructed of the new procedures today.

She added: ‘Following a review of police powers after the introduction of the Traffic Management Act 2004 and the Transport for London Act 2003 police no longer have legal power to enforce certain moving traffic offences involving non compliance with signs.

‘The power for enforcement now lies with Transport for London and Local Councils.
Where officers see driving that is blatantly of a poor standard or that endangers other road users police will still intervene and take action under their general powers to tackle dangerous or careless driving.’

Details here; http://www.pistonheads.com/speed/default.asp?storyId=19333

Just think how easy it will be to link the speed limit display/your speed, on the new 7's, to a black box, for communication to local council for speeding fines.
Nothing like getting revenue from setting up successful business's to provide a future for this country - much easier to milk the motorist passing through !
(At least with today's snow stopping me going anywhere, i will not incur unexpected motoring expenses)