DRIVERS who block traffic light “stop zones” for cyclists in Edinburgh are to be hit with £100 fines and three penalty points.
The ‘safe zones’ at junctions are usually painted red or green and are designed to make cyclists more visible to other traffic
The zones were introduced years ago but have not been actively enforced by police, meaning many drivers simply stop on them.
Constable Stephen Kirk of Police Scotland, said: “The ultimate aim of the initiative is to reduce road casualties in the city centre at a time of year where casualty numbers rise, particularly among cyclists.”
Neil Greig, the Scotland-based policy director of the Institute of Advanced Motorists said: “The police seem to be going about this in the right way, with an information campaign before they start hitting drivers with fines.
“I have no doubt drivers do sometimes invade advanced stop lines, but it can be through ignorance of their function.”
Police Scotland stressed it will be equally targeting law-breaking cyclists, such as those who ride through red lights, on pavements or ignore no entry signs, who also face £100 fines.
The get-tough approach follows an educational campaign in Edinburgh last week, where nearly 200 errant drivers and cyclists were let off with warnings.
The force said the initiative might be repeated elsewhere in the country.
