The Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) has found that municipal scanning cars issue a high number of incorrect parking fines. Following a recent study, the privacy supervisor estimates that more than 10 per cent of these tickets are wrong. This could result in approximately 500,000 incorrect fines every year.
Scanning cars use artificial intelligence and algorithms to read number plates automatically while driving. Although the process is fast, the watchdog claims that the technology is not designed to account for specific circumstances. For example, the cars cannot identify if a vehicle has stopped briefly to load or unload goods, which is legally permitted. The technology also fails to detect disabled parking permits displayed behind the windscreen.
Drivers who receive an incorrect ticket can lodge an objection, but the authority describes this process as time-consuming and confusing. Most people must pay the fine while their appeal is being processed. The watchdog warned that this can cause financial hardship, particularly when repeated mistakes occur.
To address these issues, the supervisor advises municipalities to deploy parking wardens on the street more frequently. Figures show that scanning cars perform between 250 million and 375 million checks annually, resulting in 3 to 5 million fines.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
