The number of motoring fines incurred by company car and drivers rose by more than a fifth (21%) year-on-year in 2016, Lex Autolease analysis finds.

According to the RAC, bus lane cameras have become a “cash bonanza” for local authorities.

The research, compiled from 353,000 company vehicles in the UK, shows drivers racked up a £14m bill last year, up more than a quarter (26%) on 2015, with Lex attributing the rise largely to a clampdown on bus lane infringements and illegal parking by local government – fines for parking and bus lane offences rose by 34% and 37% respectively year-on-year.

Earlier this year, BBC England research found almost 4,000 motorists a day are fined for driving in bus lanes, leading the RAC to label bus lane cameras as a new ‘cash bonanza’ for local councils.

Lex added that increasing numbers of receipts for the Dart charge, following the introduction of number plate recognition in 2014, saw collections rise 55% year-on year, costing UK firms £736,244 in the 12 months to December.

Tim Porter, managing director at Lex Autolease, said: “There is now a greater need to take action to change driver behaviours, such as providing additional education and training.

“Organisations can better understand how the increase in fines and penalties impacts their business by benchmarking their data against similar fleets. Businesses can also look to put in place straight-forward driver policies and procedures to help reduce the risk and bring down the bill.”

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