Londoners will have to watch where they drive during the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Unless they’re VIP’s, they’ll have to keep off designated lanes for athletes and officials during the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games or face a fine of up to 5,000 pounds under special powers sanctioned by the government.
The Times reports that as many as 55,000 members of the “Olympic family”, including ministers, media and corporate sponsors, will be able to drive on those special VIP lanes past the general traffic. The lanes linking sports venues across London are likely to operate between 6:30 a.m. and midnight and will be policed by cameras and enforcement officers.
According to the London Olympics Bill, which passed the committee stage in the House of Commons last week, motorists who enter the VIP lanes or infringe the new Olympic Route Network in any other way face the maximum 5,000 pound fine and a criminal record.
And if motorists refuse or fail to pay the fines they can be prosecuted according to the new Bill.
Competitors in the London 2012 Olympics will be transported daily in 2,500 buses and cars fitted with technology capable of turning traffic lights on their approach. About 12,000 corporate sponsors and their guests will also be allowed to use the lanes.
A spokesman for the Department for Culture Media and Sport said, “the last thing we are after is people’s money – we simply want to get everyone to their venues on time”.
