Motorists could soon be slapped with huge fines for honking their horns as a council looks to crack down on anti-social behaviour.
Tandridge District Council in Surrey has put forward plans to introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) following complaints about the behaviour of drivers.
The PSPO outlines methods to limit the number of anti-social use of motor vehicle incidents and improve conditions across an area.
These rules were first introduced in 2014 through the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, with local authorities able to apply for the measures.
Tandridge council reported that it had received “repeated reports” of vehicles parking on pavements, prompting the need for a PSPO application.
The new rules are also understood to address “excessive horn honking”, with the proposals set to be put forward to residents through a three-month consultation.
Drivers could be slapped with a £100 fine for breaching the rules, or £60 if paid within a certain period of time.
One local business owner said the plans were “unnecessary”, explaining that people were honking their horns to alert others to their presence, and that they rarely noticed the sound.
Drivers could soon be fined for honking their horns in Surrey
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GETTY/GOOGLE IMAGES
They added: “We do get a lot of honking because we are next to a roundabout. The honking fines are unnecessary because honking is for safety,” The Telegraph reported.
The College of Policing outlines that the Anti-Social Behaviour Act also extends to the use of PSPOs, which can escalate punishments.
It stated: “Where breaches are subjected to penalties and prosecution before the magistrates’ court, subject to a fine not exceeding £1,000.”
The system has already been used in Bradford to crack down on people using motor vehicles to cause anti-social behaviour.
Tandridge District Council consulted on introducing a PSPO across the area
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TANDRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL/GOOGLE MAPS
People are now prohibited from using a vehicle to cause excessive noise, cause damage to other road users, including pedestrians, or cause damage to private property.
Despite some backlash to the proposals, some local business owners in Caterham Valley, Tandridge, have supported the move, saying it will prevent drivers from misusing the roads.
A council spokesperson said there had been several reports stating that e-scooters, cars and lorries had mounted the pavement in the area, prompting a six-week consultation.
This covered parts of Croydon Road and Godstone Road, all of Station Avenue, and the Croydon Road service road serving the Waitrose and Lidl car parks.
Tandridge District Council said it would clearly define rules in the coming weeks and months
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TANDRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL
The behaviour has been described as “persistent and harmful”, with particular concerns raised by people using the pavements.
They added: “The Council cannot pre-empt the committee’s decision. If the recommendation to proceed is approved, there will be a further three-month period to define the detailed terms of the PSPO.
“This would include clarifying what is meant by issues such as excessive horn honking.
“Any such measures would be clearly defined, proportionate and subject to further consideration before being introduced.”