Commentary on Sections Part 1: Traffic Officers.Background Section 6: Powers to stop or direct traffic
29.Section 6 provides for traffic officers to have similar powers to those held by the police under the Road Traffic Act 1988 (“RTA”) to require vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians to stop and to require vehicles and cyclists to proceed in a particular direction.
30.The section 35 RTA offences (failure of drivers or cyclists to stop or proceed as directed) carry a maximum fine of level 3 on the standard scale (£1,000) and in certain cases endorsement and possibly disqualification. The offences are also fixed penalty offences carrying fines of up to £60.
31.The section 37 RTA offence (failure of pedestrians to stop when directed) carries a maximum fine of level 3 on the standard scale (£1,000).
32.The section 163 RTA offence (failure of drivers or cyclists to stop when directed) carries a maximum fine of level 3 on the standard scale (£1,000). The offence is also a fixed penalty offence carrying a fine of £30.