Thousands of drivers in Cardiff have had a gloomy New Year and been fined for driving in bus lanes and blocking yellow boxes.
New penalties introduced in December before the city filled with shoppers and those unfamiliar with the roads, and the new law has resulted in 3,500 fines in a single month for drivers using bus lanes in Cardiff.
Cardiff council handed out a total of 3,544 penalty notices during December 2014 – the first month the scheme was introduced after the law was changed in November and a consultation period was held.
A total of £12,950 has already been paid to the authority after 370 offenders paid the £35 charge. Although drivers can appeal the fine, the council warned it can double to £70 if it is not paid within 21 days.
While the penalty scheme has focussed primarily on bus lanes, the council said it will also expand to yellow box junctions on the main routes in and out of the city centre and also focus on illegal parking around schools.
The news comes just a fortnight after it was shown a speed camera in Newport Road, Cardiff generated over £80,000 of penalties in six months for drivers exceeding the limit or running red lights at the junction with Colchester Avenue.
