Vehicles owned by Transport for London have received more than 500 fines since 2017 for driving in a bus lane or entering a yellow box junction, according to a Freedom of Information request. Between 2017 to 2021, 521 fines for moving traffic offences were handed out to TfL staff when they were driving the transport body’s official cars and vans, The Telegraph reports.
As TfL operates around 1,000 vehicles, it would be the equivalent of half of the transport network’s fleet being fined in this time. TfL itself enforces the fines – meaning it is effectively fining itself. The average cost of the fines was £69, suggesting a total bill of more than £210,000.
Jack Cousens of the AA told The Telegraph: “If drivers from the authority that helps set up these traps are caught out by them, what chance do the thousands of London drivers stand, especially when they get caught out by poor signage, worn road markings, confusing layout and enforcement that is merciless. This has two ramifications; first – the need for warnings for first-time offenders. Secondly, it bodes extremely badly for drivers outside the capital as councils across England and Wales begin to rollout enforcement for these offences for the first time.”
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A TfL spokesperson said the fines showed that the transport body doesn’t give its own vehicles preferred treatment. They said: “We are committed to reducing road danger and disruption in London and compliance with rules of the road is essential in achieving that aim. Our vehicles are not exempt from following these rules as failing to do so creates safety risks, disrupts traffic and creates congestion for everyone.
“Penalty Charge Notices [PCNs] are issued to TfL vehicles in the same way that they would be to any other road user and any appeals from TfL are not treated differently to those from any other road user. Any TfL employee who receives a PCN while working is reminded of our expectation that TfL employees must comply with all laws at all times, including abiding by the rules of the road.” TfL says all money received from PCNs is reinvested into London’s transport network, including those it has issued to itself
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Josiah joined MyLondon as the outlet’s first City Hall Editor in October 2021, reporting on the Mayor, the London Assembly, the Met police, Transport for London, and wider London politics.
He moved to South London from Brussels in 2015, working in communications for the Electoral Reform Society, and covering Westminster politics as a freelance journalist. Originally from Cornwall, he is now also a proud Londoner. Josiah has appeared on BBC Radio 4, Times Radio, LBC and other outlets to discuss current affairs and general political chaos.
If you have an untold story – whether it’s a housing nightmare, an unfair decision or a local scandal, get in touch at [email protected] or contact Josiah on Twitter.
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