A new type of camera technology is targeting parents who illegally park outside schools when dropping off their children.
The £16,000 camera systems, built by Videalert, are reportedly being trialled by at least seven English councils. The technology reads the number plates of vehicles that stop for more than three seconds on yellow or zigzag lines, and sends the data back to a control centre – according to a report by the Sunday Times.
Once the information is with Videalert and the local councils, it can be used to issue a parking penalty – which currently stands at up to £70 outside London, and £130 inside the capital.
Quoted in the Sunday Times, Videalert’s director Tim Daniels said, "Our system can be fixed to existing street furniture and programmed to look for specific school-gate offences such as parking on a zigzag line for more than three seconds."
Daniels also played up the system’s cost-effectiveness, saying it was three times cheaper than policing school parking with camera vehicles.
Aside from Enfield in London, it is unclear which councils are taking part in the trial, although four others are reported to be in London, and two or more outside the capital.
The development of the system by Videalart was triggered after a local council was approached by teachers concerned for the safety of their pupils in the road area outside school.
The issue has caused great debate online, with all manner of points being raised. Some believe the move will make the areas outside school safer, while others believe the measures are ‘Big Brother-esque’ and are designed to create revenue.
The actor Tom Conti is against the system, called it “stasi-style,” continuing: “To target parents is frankly disgusting.”
With the cost of essentials such as insurance, petrol, maintenance and annual breakdown cover being a substantial outgoing for the UK motorist, additional penalty costs such as this may be hard to bear for some.
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