Councils should be given the power to punish drivers for road offences, according to Westminster politicians.
A report issued by the Transport Committee suggests police forces are too stretched to enforce traffic laws.
The solution, MPs say, is to have more local authorities giving out fines for so-called 'moving offences', including driving the wrong way down a one-way street.
Under the Traffic Management Act 2004, councils are able to apply for powers to police parking, bus lane violations and moving traffic offences - but very few have taken up the opportunity.
However, if the the Transport Committee's recommendation is enacted, councils could start issuing fines for the following offences:
- Stopping in a yellow box junction
- Driving the wrong way down a one-way street
- Failing to give way to oncoming road users
- Driving in cycle lanes
RAC spokesperson Simon Williams said box junctions are a particularly divisive issue for many drivers and suggested the move could see a rise in the number of penalty charge notices issued for these offences.
He said: “Many junctions are not set up fairly which leads to drivers having no choice but stop in them, whether due to poor traffic light sequencing, poor design or being used in the wrong place.
“[Drivers] at the front of traffic lights often feel pressured to move on as a result of impatient drivers behind who don't realise they are being prevented from doing so by the presence of yellow lines.”
He also mentioned concerns it could lead to local authorities being inconsistent in their application of road traffic law, or cash-strapped councils using the new powers as a lucrative revenue stream.
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