£100 fine for driving with loud music

In March Bradford council announced that they would be introducing a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO). This means Bradford locals, and visitors, could be handed a hefty £100 fine for anti-social vehicle use.

So, what is a PSPO? And what do they class as anti-social vehicle use?

A Public Spaces Protection Order is used to deal with a particular, often recurring, issue in a particular area that is having a negative effect on the quality of life for those in the local community. Council enforcement officers and police officers are authorised to act on them if they spot something or someone reports an offence.

It was agreed on March 7^th that the PSPO would relate to a number of driving concerns including playing loud music, shouting, swearing, causing a danger to other road users and making sexual suggestions from a motor vehicle.

The council decided to take action after a public consultation found that two thirds of Bradford’s residents felt unsafe on their local roads. 76% supported a PSPO to help reduce the cases of anti-social behaviour on the roads.

West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Burns-Williamson, said

“Road safety is clearly a significant area of interest in Bradford and for many communities across the county and remains a key focus in my Police and Crime Plan.”

Council officers are aiming to get the PSPO rolled out in the next three months. It allows members of the public to report anti-social vehicle offences that Bradford Council can then investigate. Only police are allowed to stop moving vehicles.

Many people are happy with PSPO being introduced. However, there are some concerns and questions that are yet to be answered, for example, how will it be judged if someone’s music is too loud; is it subjective or are they suggesting a set way of measuring?

Councillor Simon Cooke even branded the PSPO as “draconian”. He said

“When it comes to music being played too loud is there not a risk that personal music preference may decide if music being played is ‘good or bad’. Many people want to know how the PSPO will be enforced when, often, nothing can be proved.”

We’ll keep you updated on the progress of the PSPO roll out, but in the meantime if you have any feelings on the matter let us know via one of our social media channels.