An FOI request has revealed that deceased drivers are among the hundreds of thousands of individuals being penalised by congestion charge and low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) fines in Oxford. Data from Oxfordshire County Council indicates that 13 fines issued in the city's £5 congestion charge zones and LTNs were cancelled because the vehicle owners had died.
Extent of Fines Issued
Since the congestion charge was introduced in October 2024 and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras were deployed for LTNs in May 2024, nearly 257,000 fines have been issued, according to the BBC. The data does not clarify how vehicles belonging to deceased individuals were driven into restricted zones, only the reasons for voiding the fines.
Reasons for Cancelled Fines
Among the 14,000 fines that have been cancelled, there are 64 distinct reasons listed. These include two incidents where owners were in prison, one involving a diplomatic vehicle, and four for doctors on call. Over 1,000 fines were voided for taxis driving through the zone, and more than 4,000 were cancelled because the vehicles had no registered keeper. Emergency services also feature prominently, with 36 ambulances, 16 police vehicles, and two fire service vehicles receiving voided fines.
Disabled or medically exempt drivers, as well as owners of untraceable or foreign vehicles, also had fines cancelled. Additionally, over 5,000 cancellations resulted from botched enforcement, where motorists were found to have already paid for entry.
Financial Impact and Purpose
Not paying the congestion charge—enforced year-round, including bank holidays—results in a £70 fine, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days. The council expects to generate £5.2 million from the charge, which will fund a new hospital express bus service from park-and-ride facilities.
The congestion charge was introduced at specific traffic bottlenecks in Oxford to alleviate delays during construction on the crucial Botley Road route. The fee is scheduled to end in August 2025 at the earliest, once works are completed, but the ANPR cameras will remain operational, and traffic filters will continue at the same locations and times.
Fine Distribution
Drivers ignoring the congestion charge have received a total of 205,691 fines, with 175,000 issued in the last four and a half months. Thames Street accounts for the highest number of congestion charge fines, totalling 81,493. LTNs have generated 51,209 fines since May 2024.
The congestion charge applies only to cars and motorhomes; vans, motorbikes, scooters, lorries, and disabled tax-class vehicles are exempt. Some residents can apply for permits to exempt themselves for a certain number of days, while community health or care workers and unpaid carers are exempt entirely.
