Discussion
The linked article said:
Police fined after being caught by Birmingham bus lane cameras
18 Jan 2014 08:06
Officers among the 80,000 to have been captured using the wrong lane in city centre
Bus lanes in Birmingham city centre Bus lanes in Birmingham city centre
More than 400 police were slapped with fines after being caught out in Birmingham city centre’s bus lanes fiasco.
The West Midlands officers were picked up by cameras which have also captured more than 80,000 motorists since September – raking in nearly £2 million for the council.
It is understood around 300 officers face paying the £60 fines out of their own pockets for driving through the lanes, whilst a further 100 have been ‘written off’ because they were responding to emergencies.
The Mail understands some of the 408 officers ticketed had been driving to Birmingham magistrates and crown court for criminal proceedings, often in marked police cars.
A police source said: “When the fines started coming through, the officers naturally thought the two organisations would sort it out between themselves. When it dawned on them that they would have to pay the fines out of their own pocket there was a lot of anger.
“Moral is bad enough at the moment.”
Ten bus lane enforcement signs were installed in September, barring all other vehicles from stretches of Priory Queensway, Moor Street Queensway and St Martin’s Queensway.
Birmingham City Council has faced a huge backlash about the bus lane cameras, with ticketed motorists blaming poor signage.
The authority has issued fines totalling £2.4 million since September and had recouped £1.7 million by mid-December.
The Mail revealed last month that one family was left with a staggering £3,000 bill after receiving 20 tickets.
West Midlands Police admitted that 408 registered vehicles had received Notices of Intended Prosecution for driving in bus lanes in Moor Street Queensway, Priory Queensway and St Martin’s Queensway since September 5.
A spokesman said around 100 had been cancelled as the vehicles were exempt, whilst the remainder will be looked at by the relevant department to determine if they were responding to an emergency, or operational manoeuvre.
Assistant Chief Constable Garry Forsyth, said: “West Midlands Police has an agreement in place with the council that, under certain circumstances, a number of police vehicles working for specific departments will be exempt from the bus lane restrictions.
“The council appreciates the need to provide a prompt, effective delivery of police services, especially in cases of urgency.
“However, police drivers who aren’t exempt must abide by the same rules as citizens and if they flout traffic restrictions they could face penalties.”
Members of the city council’s transport scrutiny committee said last month that the fines could be unfair as many motorists were unaware they were in a bus lane.
They also warned the enforcement scheme was putting at risk public trust in the local authority.
Some committee members were angry the council had continued to rake in fines of £60 per time, despite being warned the signs were inadequate more than two months ago.
Despite the widespread criticism the city’s transportation department has refused to waive the fines .
But bosses have agreed to a review of the bus lane signage later this month.
Complete with typos 18 Jan 2014 08:06
Officers among the 80,000 to have been captured using the wrong lane in city centre
Bus lanes in Birmingham city centre Bus lanes in Birmingham city centre
More than 400 police were slapped with fines after being caught out in Birmingham city centre’s bus lanes fiasco.
The West Midlands officers were picked up by cameras which have also captured more than 80,000 motorists since September – raking in nearly £2 million for the council.
It is understood around 300 officers face paying the £60 fines out of their own pockets for driving through the lanes, whilst a further 100 have been ‘written off’ because they were responding to emergencies.
The Mail understands some of the 408 officers ticketed had been driving to Birmingham magistrates and crown court for criminal proceedings, often in marked police cars.
A police source said: “When the fines started coming through, the officers naturally thought the two organisations would sort it out between themselves. When it dawned on them that they would have to pay the fines out of their own pocket there was a lot of anger.
“Moral is bad enough at the moment.”
Ten bus lane enforcement signs were installed in September, barring all other vehicles from stretches of Priory Queensway, Moor Street Queensway and St Martin’s Queensway.
Birmingham City Council has faced a huge backlash about the bus lane cameras, with ticketed motorists blaming poor signage.
The authority has issued fines totalling £2.4 million since September and had recouped £1.7 million by mid-December.
The Mail revealed last month that one family was left with a staggering £3,000 bill after receiving 20 tickets.
West Midlands Police admitted that 408 registered vehicles had received Notices of Intended Prosecution for driving in bus lanes in Moor Street Queensway, Priory Queensway and St Martin’s Queensway since September 5.
A spokesman said around 100 had been cancelled as the vehicles were exempt, whilst the remainder will be looked at by the relevant department to determine if they were responding to an emergency, or operational manoeuvre.
Assistant Chief Constable Garry Forsyth, said: “West Midlands Police has an agreement in place with the council that, under certain circumstances, a number of police vehicles working for specific departments will be exempt from the bus lane restrictions.
“The council appreciates the need to provide a prompt, effective delivery of police services, especially in cases of urgency.
“However, police drivers who aren’t exempt must abide by the same rules as citizens and if they flout traffic restrictions they could face penalties.”
Members of the city council’s transport scrutiny committee said last month that the fines could be unfair as many motorists were unaware they were in a bus lane.
They also warned the enforcement scheme was putting at risk public trust in the local authority.
Some committee members were angry the council had continued to rake in fines of £60 per time, despite being warned the signs were inadequate more than two months ago.
Despite the widespread criticism the city’s transportation department has refused to waive the fines .
But bosses have agreed to a review of the bus lane signage later this month.
.Moral? Discuss
- in both senses 
.Local authorities are using these a revenue scheme.
If there on duty on police business stop the fine.
Why don't police just fight back I would stopping council employees especially the top ones and going over the cars and paperwork with a fine tooth comb.
Two can play that game!
If there on duty on police business stop the fine.
Why don't police just fight back I would stopping council employees especially the top ones and going over the cars and paperwork with a fine tooth comb.
Two can play that game!
Edited by jbsportstech on Saturday 18th January 11:41
ked if I'm going to search for a Daily Mail article on my lie in 
jbsportstech said:
Local authorities are using these a revenue scheme.
If there on duty on police business stop the fine.
Why don't police just fight back I would stopping council employees especially the top ones and going over the cars and paperwork with a fine tooth comb.
Two can play that game!
The article shows that if there were a satisfactory reason for the Police to be using the lane at the time the ticket is quashed. If there isn't the officer has to pay out of their own pocket for the fine.If there on duty on police business stop the fine.
Why don't police just fight back I would stopping council employees especially the top ones and going over the cars and paperwork with a fine tooth comb.
Two can play that game!
What's wrong with that?
vonhosen said:
The article shows that if there were a satisfactory reason for the Police to be using the lane at the time the ticket is quashed. If there isn't the officer has to pay out of their own pocket for the fine.
What's wrong with that?
Depends what is a good reason a blue light run?.What's wrong with that?
The article doesn't make it clear whether just using to get someone to court count.
What's next speeding tickets for officers who don't show a good reason.
Watching police interceptors lSt night officer was trailing a BMW 530d demo car with police driving school instructor the driver held advanced pursuit. He was doing 130mph in national overtaking which I felt was a bit much. Where do you draw the line? Von
jbsportstech said:
vonhosen said:
The article shows that if there were a satisfactory reason for the Police to be using the lane at the time the ticket is quashed. If there isn't the officer has to pay out of their own pocket for the fine.
What's wrong with that?
Depends what is a good reason a blue light run?.What's wrong with that?
The article doesn't make it clear whether just using to get someone to court count.
What's next speeding tickets for officers who don't show a good reason.
Watching police interceptors lSt night officer was trailing a BMW 530d demo car with police driving school instructor the driver held advanced pursuit. He was doing 130mph in national overtaking which I felt was a bit much. Where do you draw the line? Von
The officer will first have to satisfy the job that it was a lawful use of the exemption before it will even be submitted to the issuing authority for consideration.
jbsportstech said:
Watching police interceptors lSt night officer was trailing a BMW 530d demo car with police driving school instructor the driver held advanced pursuit. He was doing 130mph in national overtaking which I felt was a bit much. Where do you draw the line? Von
I saw that, however I suspect the footage was edited and he was doing 130mph somewhere else. I thought he had 30 or at most 40mph on the truck he was overtaking which would have been going 60mph at most, so that puts plod speed at 90-100mph. I also have a 330d and they take a lot longer to reach 130mph than what was shown there (tested in Germany of course). Landshark said:
The TRO's around this way include vehicles used for police purposes (and fire and ambulance), therefore those going to court are exempt! (As would doing anything police work related).
So maybe they should check??
If they look at their force driver's regulations they'll outline what the job will support in relation to exemptions or not under the auspice of a Police purpose.So maybe they should check??
creampuff said:
I saw that, however I suspect the footage was edited and he was doing 130mph somewhere else. I thought he had 30 or at most 40mph on the truck he was overtaking which would have been going 60mph at most, so that puts plod speed at 90-100mph. I also have a 330d and they take a lot longer to reach 130mph than what was shown there (tested in Germany of course).
I would thought after PC Milton case they would be careful but it's seems with an instructor and magnetic sign the cars performance is the limit.vonhosen said:
The article shows that if there were a satisfactory reason for the Police to be using the lane at the time the ticket is quashed. If there isn't the officer has to pay out of their own pocket for the fine.
What's wrong with that?
Sounds absolutely fine- under normal circumstances the same rules apply to everyone.What's wrong with that?
Rovinghawk said:
vonhosen said:
The article shows that if there were a satisfactory reason for the Police to be using the lane at the time the ticket is quashed. If there isn't the officer has to pay out of their own pocket for the fine.
What's wrong with that?
Sounds absolutely fine- under normal circumstances the same rules apply to everyone.What's wrong with that?
Cars with faulty lights
not signalling on islands
Using blues to get out of a side road in heavy traffic when they are not on a call
Parking in drop off points in supermarkets to get lunch.
Its very hard to be sympathetic to their cause.
Setting aside the usual anti police bs that poisons many a thread here is an update.
I have often written that Birmingham civilianised traffic enforcement is not fit for purpose, that signs are not legal, the council know it but are simply greedy gits out to milk whatever they can get, here is an update.
Brief summary, three of the cameras responsible for about half of the 1.7 million pounds of fines were ruled by independent tribunal as not correct. The tribunal ruled that signs etc were definitely not adequate but also commented that in law they didn't have the power to enforce refunds.
The council admitted they were wrong but said "we're going to keep the money" in an up yours moment.
Lot of shilly shallying from the responsible councillor who refused for a long time to report.
Now an email has been seen where head of legal services has replied to one protestor arrogantly saying in justification of keeping the fines for drivers wrongly accused "Every little helps."
Birmingham parking and traffic services is one department where I would like to see a prosecution for misfeasance.
Labour, need one add.
http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/news-opinion/...
Fury at council officials' response to drivers wrongly fined http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3065760/Ev...
I have often written that Birmingham civilianised traffic enforcement is not fit for purpose, that signs are not legal, the council know it but are simply greedy gits out to milk whatever they can get, here is an update.
Brief summary, three of the cameras responsible for about half of the 1.7 million pounds of fines were ruled by independent tribunal as not correct. The tribunal ruled that signs etc were definitely not adequate but also commented that in law they didn't have the power to enforce refunds.
The council admitted they were wrong but said "we're going to keep the money" in an up yours moment.
Lot of shilly shallying from the responsible councillor who refused for a long time to report.
Now an email has been seen where head of legal services has replied to one protestor arrogantly saying in justification of keeping the fines for drivers wrongly accused "Every little helps."
Birmingham parking and traffic services is one department where I would like to see a prosecution for misfeasance.
Labour, need one add.
http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/news-opinion/...
Fury at council officials' response to drivers wrongly fined http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3065760/Ev...
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