Vehicle Licence Reading
As part of the 2012 budget, Council approved the purchase of a camera car to conduct vehicle licence reading. The camera car consists of an existing bylaw services vehicle outfitted with two cameras on either side and one on the back—the side cameras capture photos of parked vehicle tires while the rear camera snaps an image of the vehicle licence plates. This new enforcement tool will lead to more efficient parking with increased turn-over of vehicles in busy commercial areas, decreased staff costs (including the reduction of one position), and more efficient deployment of bylaw resources across the community.
In the past, drivers who exceeded parking time limits could avoid incurring a ticket by erasing chalk off their wheels or moving their cars forward. This will no longer be possible as the vehicle licence reader will be able to identify how long vehicles have been in one spot. The car is being tested throughout the community, but no additional tickets will be issued during this testing phase.
The camera car will be phased into service over the next few weeks with camera-car-based parking enforcement beginning on September 17, 2012. This phased-in approach is intended to provide residents and businesses with sufficient time to acclimatize to the camera car and make alternative parking arrangements.
This technology, which is equipped with a database of all parking zones as well as any stolen cars from ICBC’s system, is already in use in the City of North Vancouver as well as other Metro Vancouver municipalities. West Vancouver will only store data as evidence from vehicles with tickets issued; all other data will be deleted. The District will ensure to meet any recommendations from the Privacy Commissioner about this technology as it arises.
Frequently Asked Questions – Camera Car
- How will tickets be issued?
Tickets are serviced to vehicles at the time of offence by placing the ticket on the windshield. - Is there an anticipated increase in the number of tickets issued and if so, by how much?
This technology will significantly improve the District’s capacity to capture offences. Any increase in offences will be monitored and reported in end of year stats. - How much time will the camera car save and what priorities will receive more attention as a result?
We will be more efficient in parking enforcement, especially around construction sites. The car will be deployed in areas the District designates as priorities. - Will any of my personal information be collected in the process?
West Vancouver will only store data as evidence from vehicles with tickets issued; all other data will be deleted. The District will ensure to meet any recommendations from the Privacy Commissioner about this technology as it arises.
Questions about West Vancouver parking regulations?
Call Bylaw and Licensing Services at 604-925-7152. They’re available 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., 7 days a week.
For the latest information on parking, visit westvancouver.ca/parking