1 February (Part 2) - Asleep on the job
The Bexley Notomob coordinator tipped me off on Monday that the News Shopper was likely to feature a CCTV spy car driver parked and fast asleep in Yarnton Way today, and so it has, plastered all over its front page. The Shopper asked Si Clarke, Notomob’s local expert on the subject for comment but the News Shopper didn’t use it, too technical for their readers apparently, but I’m sure you will be able to cope if you are interested.
Some councils use unattended systems to identify contraventions automatically
and store them for later processing, the CCTV car can be parked and GPS
technology tells the system what offence to be looking for. Bexley council does
not use this system and the driver needs to be fully awake not only to record
the offence should one take place but also to be able to provide a statement of
the events to back up the information that is recorded. I would question how alert
the driver was as she was not aware that she was the subject of a photo shoot.
Taken from the Code of Practice for Operation of CCTV Enforcement
Cameras, Monitoring of Traffic 2.4.1…
“Contraventions will be identified from attended systems by monitoring the screen
and operating the cameras in real time. The operator must obtain the most
effective images of a vehicle and its surrounding circumstances at the time when
any contravention may be occurring. Contraventions must be identified at the
time when they are committed. Pre-recorded video images
will not be studied to identify contraventions committed at some earlier time.”
Along with obtaining the most effective images of the
contravention, the operator must provide a written statement of the
contravention. In Bexley’s case the operator may feel redundant as all they do
is record the vehicle index number and time and location on a log sheet. Then
in contravention of the code of practice Bexley Council review the footage at a
later time in a backroom and then send a PCN without taking into account
any reasons why the offence may of been committed. In this case, if they were
to ask the operator for a statement concerning the circumstances of any PCNs she
may have been awake enough to identify, I doubt that she would be
able to give the full facts. As we know, once anyone is issued with a PCN the
choice is to ask no questions and pay quickly at a reduced rate or try to submit
representation. Should that be rejected, they must pay the full amount
or take the case to adjudication. If that fails they still only pay the full amount. On
the plus side it’s good to note that the number of PCNs issued is falling due to the public complying with parking regulations
within Bexley and on some shifts no PCNs are issued. Maybe a reason why
the operator felt she could have a little nap.