New powers to improve road safety
Introduction
This survey will ask for some information about you and for your views on our proposal to use camera enforcement at St Martins Road, Upton to support the school street at Upton Junior School on a trial basis. It will then give you the opportunity to tell us anything we may need to take into account when deciding if this is a suitable location to pilot the use of camera enforcement for moving traffic offences by Dorset Council.
You will be able to give us your views on the proposal to apply for the powers of camera enforcement, and to suggest other locations which may be suitable for this approach. There is then a section in which we ask for some information about you but this is optional.
Frequently asked questions
1. Why do you need the powers?
Currently only Dorset Police has the power to impose fines for moving traffic offences in the Dorset Council area. This means that initiatives such as School Streets rely on stewards and some traffic restrictions require expensive permanent barriers to prevent illegal access. By applying for these powers, Dorset Council will be able to work with communities affected by moving traffic offences to achieve better compliance.
2. I'm a resident of St Martins Road. Will I be fined if I drive through the restriction?
No. You can register your vehicle registration to be exempt. Initially warning letters will be sent before fines commence.
3. I’m a parent of a pupil at Upton Junior School – how will this affect me?
Any parent without a valid exemption driving into St Martins Road during the restricted periods will incur a penalty following an initial warning period. As with the current arrangements, parents should walk, cycle or scoot with their children to school, or if they need to drive, they should park nearby and walk to school. Parents with disabilities, or accompanying children with disabilities will, as now, be exempted from the restriction.
4. Will be visitors/deliveries/essential services be affected?
There will be no change to now, other than the lack of a physical barrier. As now, the scheme will work best if non-essential movements are planned outside the restricted hours. Residents will be able to request the exemption of essential vehicles either before or shortly after the visit.
5. Is camera enforcement the only option?
It is the only realistic option to incentivise compliance with moving traffic restrictions, because we don't have enough civil enforcement officers to be present at every location where restrictions are in place.
6. When will the cameras be introduced?
At this stage, we are still considering options and have not yet made any decisions. If following this consultation we decide to apply for these powers, it is likely to be at least a year or more before any scheme would be introduced.
7. Will the cameras be used for any other purpose other than monitoring traffic offences?
No.