Explanatory Memorandum to Traffic Management (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 Explanatory Memorandum

Purpose

5.The main purpose of the Order is to provide the Department with the necessary legislative power to introduce civil enforcement of certain road traffic offences, initially enforcement of parking and waiting prohibitions and restrictions.

6.The Order includes provisions to allow:-

  • decriminalisation of most on-street parking and waiting restrictions and off-street parking restrictions;

  • enforcement by the Department of relevant parking and waiting restrictions;

  • use of immobilisation devices and removal of vehicles for enforcement and debt recovery purposes;

  • use of technology to assist with enforcement;

  • establishment of an independent adjudication process; and

  • pursuit of outstanding penalty charges as civil debts owed to the Department.

7.The Order includes enabling powers so that the Department can, by regulation, assume responsibility for enforcing certain moving traffic offences.

8.The Order also implements two changes stemming from the review of the disabled persons’ badge (blue badge) scheme.

  • The word “institution” used to describe an organisation that cares for people with a disability is replaced by the more appropriate term “organisation”; and

  • A system of reciprocal arrangements is introduced whereby visitors with a disability from Great Britain and other prescribed countries can enjoy the parking concessions provided in Northern Ireland by displaying the disabled persons’ badge issued under their own national scheme. Those using such badges are subject to the same enforcement provisions as apply to holders of domestic badges.

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