Photographing illegally parked cars?

[Ian]

The UK government is set to introduce legislation that will prevent local councils from using CCTV or dedicated car parking surveillance cars from obtaining photographic evidence of illegal parking for the purpose of issuing fines.

Is this right? If you are illegally parked, um, your are illegally parked - aren't you?

Councils say the surveillance cars are a deterrent (usually painted in bright colours, for example).

I'd be interested in your views

Ian

[Bob Ross]

Re: Photographing illegally parked cars?

The UK government is set to introduce legislation that will prevent local councils from using CCTV or dedicated car parking surveillance cars from obtaining photographic evidence of illegal parking for the purpose of issuing fines.

Is this right? If you are illegally parked, um, your are illegally parked - aren't you?

Councils say the surveillance cars are a deterrent (usually painted in bright colours, for example).

I'd be interested in your views

Ian

This is a fun one, Ian. Surveillance cars are usually driven by humans that can give eye witness testimony. As I recall the CCTV cameras were to lower theft rates or help catch the unlawfuls. So if an illegally parked car gets stolen in the eye of the CCTV camera, where are we?
In Texas there is a law that makes it unlawful to take a picture in public of someone if the purpose is to get sexual pleasure fro it. I think this was recently rendered unconstitutional in an appeal court.
The purpose of taking a picture seems to be the issue. Taking pictures for no good reason may be the best approach.....
Bob

[patmoore]

Re: Photographing illegally parked cars?

I'm reminded of a new story I heard many years ago. It took place in London shortly after the traffic cams were introduced. A motorist ran a red light. The police mailed him a photo clearly showing his car running the light. They included a fine. The motorist wrote out a check, took a picture of the check, and mailed the photo. They sent him back a photo of handcuffs. He then mailed in the actual check.

I don't know if this parking solution is legal or not but I took this shot in Paris.

[Ian]

Re: Photographing illegally parked cars?

I'm reminded of a new story I heard many years ago. It took place in London shortly after the traffic cams were introduced. A motorist ran a red light. The police mailed him a photo clearly showing his car running the light. They included a fine. The motorist wrote out a check, took a picture of the check, and mailed the photo. They sent him back a photo of handcuffs. He then mailed in the actual check.

I don't know if this parking solution is legal or not but I took this shot in Paris.

Love the anecdote!

That's France - it's normal!

Ian

[Ian]

Re: Photographing illegally parked cars?

This is a fun one, Ian. Surveillance cars are usually driven by humans that can give eye witness testimony. As I recall the CCTV cameras were to lower theft rates or help catch the unlawfuls. So if an illegally parked car gets stolen in the eye of the CCTV camera, where are we?
In Texas there is a law that makes it unlawful to take a picture in public of someone if the purpose is to get sexual pleasure fro it. I think this was recently rendered unconstitutional in an appeal court.
The purpose of taking a picture seems to be the issue. Taking pictures for no good reason may be the best approach.....
Bob

The complaint from the government minister who is driving (pardon the pun) this legislation through is that it's a money-making exercise by the local councils. There is also a hint that it's not an acceptable surveillance policy in terms of privacy.

Of course we don't have a written constitution here so there is no quoting this that or other amendment!

Ian

[Pops]

Re: Photographing illegally parked cars?

If you park illegally then you know you have done so and you know of the potential penalties.
No matter how you are caught out, dedicated car parking surveillance, traffic warden, traffic police or cctv ... your nicked bang to rights and should cough up without playing the hard done to card.
Imagine the towns and cities if all illegally parked vehicles were totally ignored!

The Paris shot is hilarious but I reckon I can see a ticket on the windscreen.

[patmoore]

Re: Photographing illegally parked cars?

The Paris shot is hilarious but I reckon I can see a ticket on the windscreen.

Funny - I never noticed that before!

I'd be nervous about the two adjacent cars denting my door.

[Weeman]

Re: Photographing illegally parked cars?

Our angling club fitted cctv cameras to deter/ catch poachers; guess what they stole the cameras as you could come from behind the cameras and not be spotted. Worked OK as the fools tried to sale them to a member ( they did not know he was in our club) who passed it on to the proper people.

[Ian]

Re: Photographing illegally parked cars?

Our angling club fitted cctv cameras to deter/ catch poachers; guess what they stole the cameras as you could come from behind the cameras and not be spotted. Worked OK as the fools tried to sale them to a member ( they did not know he was in our club) who passed it on to the proper people.

Haha! Like the punch line!

Ian

[Ian]

Re: Photographing illegally parked cars?

If you park illegally then you know you have done so and you know of the potential penalties.
No matter how you are caught out, dedicated car parking surveillance, traffic warden, traffic police or cctv ... your nicked bang to rights and should cough up without playing the hard done to card.
Imagine the towns and cities if all illegally parked vehicles were totally ignored!

The Paris shot is hilarious but I reckon I can see a ticket on the windscreen.

Didn't a UK town try to do away with parking restrictions not long ago? Can't remember which one it was...

Ian

[Ian]

Re: Photographing illegally parked cars?

Funny - I never noticed that before!

I'd be nervous about the two adjacent cars denting my door.

Not so sure that is a parking ticket - they are usually placed in plastic sleeves with adhesive directly onto the windscreen/shield glass. It's more likely to be a note or an advertising leaflet.

Ian

[John Perriment]

Re: Photographing illegally parked cars?

There is also a hint that it's not an acceptable surveillance policy in terms of privacy.

Ian

So where does that leave all other CCTV?

[John Perriment]

Re: Photographing illegally parked cars?

In Texas there is a law that makes it unlawful to take a picture in public of someone if the purpose is to get sexual pleasure fro it. Bob

Bang goes my little hobby then!

[John Perriment]

Re: Photographing illegally parked cars?

Not so sure that is a parking ticket - they are usually placed in plastic sleeves with adhesive directly onto the windscreen/shield glass.

Ian

What, like this.......