Bedford Driving Lessons

Drivers making unauthorised shortcuts are being threatened with a £45 penalty under what is believed to be the first scheme of its kind in the country. It is being enforced at Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge, where cameras have been installed at both ends of a road running through the grounds. This has been done by Cambridgeshire County Council, with the restrictions being enforced by Cambridgeshire Police. Such cameras are commonplace on roads, especially in London, where they are used to enforce moving traffic offences such as driving in a bus lane. They are also employed for private and council parking enforcement. But motoring organisations believe that the Addenbrooke’s scheme targeting drivers taking “rat runs” sets a worrying precedent. Cars using the road are photographed as they enter and exit, with journey times being monitored to distinguish between motorists visiting the hospital and those who are just cutting through to save time. Motorists who are believed to have used the road as a rat run are initially sent a warning letter. But repeat offenders face a £30 fine, rising to £45 if the penalty is not paid within 28 days. Anyone receiving a warning letter can appeal, by proving that they had a legitimate need to use the road. This concession applies to delivery drivers and motorists dropping people off at the hospital. The council was able to introducer the scheme after the Department for Transport, which under the Coalition has pledged to end the war on the motorist, approved the necessary traffic order. More