Drivers face instant $76 tickets under May 1 car lane clampdown – AI-powered cameras will be watching for simple mistake

Drivers could face fines under a new clampdown coming to a major US city, with high-tech cameras ready to catch violators. Motorists caught illegally parking in bus lanes or in front of bus stops will receive an instant $76 ticket when a new regulation takes effect on May 1.

Several buses are set to be equipped with cameras and artificial intelligence capable of detecting vehicles illegally parked or stopped in bus and trolley lanes. Once detected, even if a driver is idling while waiting for a friend to shop, a fine will be issued immediately. Approximately 150 buses and 30 trolleys across Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will have the cameras installed to enforce the rules.

Philadelphia Parking Authority Regulations

Speaking to Action News, Rich Lazer, the executive director of the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA), said: "The goal is to let people know it is coming." Tickets will set drivers back $76 in Center City and $51 elsewhere. "It's about safety, that's the goal," Lazer added. "We want people not to park, and then we won't issue violations."

SEPTA bus driver Dwayne Campbell was in agreement, adding: "The bus lane is not being respected." Campbell, who has driven buses in the city for 19 years, knows firsthand how congested the bus lanes become due to idling and parked vehicles. He revealed that he’s often forced to zigzag out of his lanes, which is not only unsafe for passengers but also delays pickups and disrupts bus schedules.

Enforcement and Implementation

"My biggest issue is you're not really respecting the ADA population," Campbell said. "You have some people with disabilities, some with hidden disabilities. How are they going to be able to get on and off the bus if you're in the bus lane?" The tech has already been implemented in other cities, including New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. However, there have been some issues; in New York, the cameras reportedly led to thousands of mistaken parking violations.

Lazer assured that the PPA has measures in place to prevent such errors. He said: "We'll have a whole unit back at the office that reviews every photo or video taken to determine whether it's a violation or not.” Matthew Zapsen with SEPTA added: "It's not a gotcha kind of thing. You're only getting caught if you're doing something illegal, and a bus or trolley with people on it pulls up behind you."

Success and Impact

So far, the tech has performed well, with other cities reporting improvements, including in New York, where bus speeds increased by 40% and collisions decreased by 34%. "They've seen a big improvement in running time," Zapsen said. "That means the bus is traveling more quickly, with significant improvements in on-time performance." The first cameras will go live on May 1, with the PPA issuing violations starting that day.

Florida License Plate Laws

Driving on a public roadway with customized license plates is illegal in Florida. Florida Statutes Section 320.061 prohibits the unlawful altering of a license plate. The law states that altering or obscuring the following items is illegal:

• Motor vehicle registration certificates
• License plates
• Temporary license plates
• Mobile home stickers
• Validation stickers

Drivers cannot mutilate, alter, deface, or change the color of the plate in any way. You can also not apply or attach certain items to the license plate that interfere with its legibility. The penalties for violations include a $60 fine, three points on the driver's license, and additional county fees.