Parking enforcement camera car
Camera car general information
What is a camera car?
A camera car is a vehicle fitted with a camera and automatic number plate recognition technology that can quickly issue vehicles tickets (Penalty Charge Notice) for parking in contravention to a restriction. The camera car can check vehicle registrations against a permitted vehicle list, for example, residents with a valid permit. It can also provide assistance in other highways activities.
What is the camera car used for?
The camera car is used to improve road safety and to promote the use of more sustainable transport.
Parking in contravention outside schools puts both road and pavement users at risk. It is an issue consistently raised by teachers, parents and local residents and can be very difficult to enforce.
The camera car uses CCTV and automatic number plate recognition to quickly detect offences and offenders, issuing them with a Penalty Charge Notice. This helps to create a safer environment around schools and encourages more sustainable travel options such as walking or cycling.
Why we introduced a camera car
We have a duty to tackle illegal parking and protect public safety.
The car is used to enforce school ‘keep clear’ zigzag markings by issuing regulation 10 Penalty Charge Notices. Regulation 10 Penalty Charge Notices are issued by post rather than attached to the vehicle or handed to the driver.
The camera car also enables us to monitor more streets in the same period of time. The car does not automatically issue tickets as it drives through resident zones. It identifies the vehicles which do not have a valid permit. An officer then physically checks the vehicles identified before any parking tickets are issued.
How Penalty Charge Notices are issued
All evidence packs created by the vehicle are reviewed by a parking enforcement officer, to ensure a contravention has taken place. The system will then send for the registered keeper details, so that a Penalty Charge Notice can be issued. If you receive a Penalty Charge Notice, you will be sent a web link to see evidence of the contravention.
Any revenue generated from the camera enforcement car, or any of our parking enforcement activities is used to fund the parking enforcement service. If there are any additional funds, central government has a clear policy that this must be used for transport initiatives.