Drivers avoid fines in downturn

The recession has made London's drivers more law-abiding, a report suggests today.

Motorists are apparently more reluctant to incur fines of up to £120 for parking illegally, driving in bus lanes and ignoring "no entry" signs.

The report by Wandsworth Council found that 5,463,450 penalty charge notices were issued in London in 2008/09, an 11 per cent drop on the year before.

In Wandsworth, the number of fines issued fell by more than 44,000 during the same period - a 17 per cent drop. Only Barking and Dagenham, Enfield, Harrow, Hounslow and Newham did not report a decrease.

The reduction came despite some councils extending CCTV coverage and controlled parking zones. The report states: "The general view among London borough parking managers is that the economic climate has caused motorists to take fewer risks with parking."

Paul Watters, head of roads policy at the AA, said: "I suspect this will only be a blip and as things pick up people will start to chance their arm again."