Councils should receive powers to fine ‘reckless’ lorry drivers, LGA advises

The Local Government Association (LGA) has called upon the government to grant councils the authority to fine reckless and irresponsible lorry drivers, who are found to cause 'chaos' in rural communities.

It argues that lorry drivers who ignore weight restrictions on country roads damage infrastructure and put lives at risk. As a result, the association believes local government should be issued with civil enforcement powers allowing them to give out financial penalties to those who are caught behaving carelessly on the roads.

Councillor Peter Box, a spokesman for LGA Transport, said: “The actions of a minority of reckless lorry drivers inflicted on rural communities underline the need for councils to be given proper powers to deal with this increasing problem. If these drivers know they will face fines they will think twice about such selfish and irresponsible behaviour.

“Councils are doing everything they can to help their residents by taking rogue lorry drivers to court. However, it is a time-consuming, costly and bureaucratic process and there is no guarantee councils will even be able to recoup their prosecution costs.

He concluded: “We are calling for a streamlined system which allows councils to fine lorry drivers who persistently blight communities. Councils want to be able to respond to their residents' concerns.”