08 Jul 2024
Are you one of those motorists who jumps red lights because your time is too precious to waste, who speeds through “pointless” 20mph zones or ignores pedestrians crossing the road as they’re just another inconvenience on your oh-so-important journey?
Maybe you own an e-scooter, and are happy navigating between shoppers as you veer through the pedestrian area of St Peter’s Street on market day; or have a dirt-bike which just performs SO well when you accelerate down London Road?
You might even be a takeaway delivery driver, counting every minute it takes you to drop off a customer’s order, so riding on the wrong side of the road or weaving between cars is a necessary evil if you’re going to get there on time.
Chances are you’ll get away with it.
Until the time you don’t. When your arrogance and disregard of the rules of the road result in someone being seriously injured or even killed. That someone could even be you.
But what are the chances of being prosecuted for these offences by Herts police?
Surprisingly low according to our sources, as with police resources stretched, officers have identified key issues for Neighbourhood Policing Priorities, and although they currently include some of these motoring activities, for them to take any action usually requires witnessing offending in action.
In St Albans, the Safer Neighbourhood Team say they are taking a proactive response to dealing with speeding across the district.
Although 20mph limits are enforced by police in the same way as other speed limits, speeding is a current neighbourhood priority in St Albans, Harpenden and London Colney, which means there will be more targeted enforcement using speed guns. Specific locations include Beech Road, Batchwood Drive, the A1081 Harpenden Road and Marshalswick Lane, but not London Road or anywhere in the city centre.
Unfortunately red light enforcement will only take place if actually witnessed by police officers, but if an accident is caused it could lead to prosecution for driving without due care and attention. The city’s only red light camera – at the junction of Watson’s Walk and London Road – is supposed to penalise motorists who fail to stop at the junction, and a Freedom of Information request revealed 1,325 cars were flashed in 2019.
Why then has that statistic fallen to zero prosecutions in 2022, just 15 in 2023, and none to date for 2024, according to a fresh FoI submitted at the start of June? It certainly isn’t because motorists aren’t driving through the red light, as anyone who has waited at the junction will confirm. So is it because the camera is faulty or the police simply aren’t prosecuting motoring offences anymore?
Moped and dirt bike riders are also likely to evade prosecution, as again action will only be taken if offending is seen by police on patrol.
A spokesperson added: “If witnessed by members of the public or captured on dashcams there is a link on the Herts Police website to upload footage and a dedicated unit will look at offences.
“If we receive reports of anti-social driving, ideally we need descriptions and registration plates. Section 59 warnings have been issued where a further offence by driver or vehicle will lead to vehicle seizure.”
None of the incidents witnessed by the St Albans Times and reported to Herts police have resulted in any action being taken, despite photos being provided.
Although electric scooter use is illegal on public roads and riders cannot obtain insurance, police have focussed on education through schools, retailers and social media messaging instead of actively targeting users on a day-to-day basis.
Officers say there have been no recent specific activity reported locally but if offences occur, it can lead to six points on licences and no insurance action being taken as well as the seizure of the scooter.
The police spokesperson suggested SADC could introduce a ban in the city centre, even though they don’t have the powers to enforce it, but this was swiftly dismissed as an option by the council.
So what are the options for enforcement now? More cameras? More police?
Green councillor Juliet Voisey, who represents St Peter’s ward, said: “This seems to be a district wide issue for many of us. The issues of jumping red lights and speeding are self-perpetuating; frustration from drivers whose journeys are getting longer through congestion from too many drivers on the roads. The only real way to tackle this is to install cameras on the traffic lights.
“Whenever I walk into the city centre I am walking past queues of cars mainly with one person in each car; it’s madness. 20mph limits are gradually being enforced; particularly in London, so I would expect enforcement of this to increase over time.
“The benefits of 20mph areas are obvious increased safety and reduced fatalities which assist our emergency services, but they also foster a feeling of safety for local residents and vulnerable people. They can also encourage an increase in cycling and walking, due to feeling safer on our roads.
“Unfortunately it is going to take time for motorists to adjust to driving at that speed, but guidance from the DfT states that introducing a 20mph limit is most effective when average vehicle speeds are already 24mph or less, which ultimately they are going to be in St Albans city centre.
“Unsuitable and illegal vehicles on roads are a big problem and most likely going to be uninsured. We really do need residents to regularly report any issues like this to the local police on 101 or to your local councillor. The more reports, the better picture we have and the police can then identify hotspot areas to target. Then we can escalate to Herts County Highways and present the need for further support.
“My vision for St Albans city centre would be to have a tram going from north to south and east to west!”
