CCTV cameras on smart cars

jonny0

hi everyone,

I'm not too sure if these operate everywhere but here in london we have cameras mounted on smart cars who drive around looking for cars parked illegally. they then capture you on camera and send the ticket through the post. THESE ARE COUNCIL OPERATED!

Anyways, today i was parked on a double yellow line and one of these camera cars was there for 10 seconds or so before i spotted it and drove off. I am certain it wasnt there for long as i was looking around and didnt spot it at first.

So my question is, do they have to catch you parked illegally for a certain time before they can issue you with a ticket ? i'm hoping there is some sort of 5 minutes gap - a bit like how traffic wardens have to wait 5 minutes.

or do they just need an image with the car parked illegally (in which case i can expect a fine)

any input much appreciated, cheers

C_Mababejive

Well if they have snapped you on a double yellow then it will probably be video..i.e a set length of time to indicate you werent actually moving..so yes,they could have nabbed you.

Of course you could argue a fine point about waiting and parking..but thats another story.

jonny0

C_Mababejive wrote: »

Well if they have snapped you on a double yellow then it will probably be video..i.e a set length of time to indicate you werent actually moving..so yes,they could have nabbed you.

Of course you could argue a fine point about waiting and parking..but thats another story.

thanks - can you expand a little on the 2nd paragraph please ??

Coupon-mad

Waiting is parking (as far as PCNs are concerned, even if you are sitting in the car with the engine running) so that's not an argument with any real prospect of success IMHO.

But I always say that personally I would appeal as far as the adjudicator, ANY Council PCN I get from now on (not that I collect them!). You really only risk having to pay the fuill fine amount if you lose (no costs) and in most cases the Council mucks up the process in some way so that most cases put to an adjudicator win.

Also most cases helped by pepipoo posters win or the Council fold before adjudication. So if you do get sent a postal PCN take pics of all the pages of that PCN and post it in a new thread here:

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showforum=30

Don't ever think that just because a PCN is sent and it has a pretty photo of your car on it, that you should just fold and pay up. At least ask on pepipoo for their advice first, showing them the PCN and the lines & signs if you can get a pic of the place you parked at.

Why not read a few threads over there now about Council PCNs and you'll see how much knowledge they have and how many successes are posted on their 'parking ticket successes' sticky thread.

Maybe you won't get one this time but next time you'll know where to ask for help...;)

HTH

king100

jonny0 wrote: »

hi everyone,

I'm not too sure if these operate everywhere but here in london we have cameras mounted on smart cars who drive around looking for cars parked illegally. they then capture you on camera and send the ticket through the post. THESE ARE COUNCIL OPERATED!

Anyways, today i was parked on a double yellow line and one of these camera cars was there for 10 seconds or so before i spotted it and drove off. I am certain it wasnt there for long as i was looking around and didnt spot it at first.

So my question is, do they have to catch you parked illegally for a certain time before they can issue you with a ticket ? i'm hoping there is some sort of 5 minutes gap - a bit like how traffic wardens have to wait 5 minutes.

or do they just need an image with the car parked illegally (in which case i can expect a fine)

any input much appreciated, cheers

Think its probablly Westminster Council and as far as i am aware.

There are a couple of youtube vids showing bikers who follow it around all day.

Smart Cars



Smart Cars were introduced in Central London to monitor road safety problem areas. The cars will complement the existing network of CCTV cameras and Civil Enforcement Officers.
The Smart Cars will enforce both moving traffic contraventions and parking contraventions through the capture of moving images. These could provide compelling evidence for dangerous parking, particularly around schools and at busy junctions where parking is prohibited.
Other anticipated benefits of the scheme:

• Reduction in challenges to PCNs issued by CCTV
• Visual evidence that a contravention has occurred and that our enforcement operation is carried out correctly and fairly
• Increases Civil Enforcement Officer safety (provides evidence of any abuse)

Motorists parked in contravention will receive notices through the post detailing the contravention. You can also view images and footage related to you PCN online. You will require the Penalty Charge Reference number (found on the PCN) and your vehicle registration number. View PCN images online now.
For more information about the Smart Cars and CCTV enforcement, take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions

king100

3. Will the Smart Cars have to be parked legally?

The vehicles have Parking Identifier Boards which exempt parking on paid for parking places, resident bays, and single and double yellow lines. They may not park anywhere else and only obtain the exemption by means of carrying out a statutory function. The drivers have been properly trained and will park with the utmost care and attention to road safety and the highway code.

Bunch of jokers

paulofessex

As coupon-mad mentioned we should all question the fine prior to payment.

Here is a snippet about our councils cctv car and the amount of tickets/fines issued in error...

Parking spy car to net council £28,000 profit

MORE than 3,300 parking fines have been dished out by Basildon’s CCTV Smart Car in its first 11 months.

However, nearly a quarter of the tickets were incorrectly issued.
Basildon Council expects to collect £105,880 in penalty charges for the first 12 months of its operation.

Source Basildon Recorder 16th September 2010

peter_the_piper

With the cut backs about to kick in expect to see more of these little b*****s as its likely to be a good revenue stream. They may well increase the amount of lines/bays etc to capitalise.

mcoletta

They are in Newham too, there are 2 that I know of.

anewman

king100 wrote: »

The vehicles have Parking Identifier Boards which exempt parking on paid for parking places, resident bays, and single and double yellow lines.

I want one of these boards, where can I buy one?

And I am sure the highway code expressly forbids parking on double yellows, so saying they follow the highway code is a null point.

peter_the_piper

Unfortunately the highway code is not law, naturally councils have given themselves exemptions to park where they like as long as they are not causing an obstruction.