Smart Cameras Will Be Used Used To Fine Littering Drivers £120
Drivers lobbing rubbish out of their cars has been a problem for years, but amidst the backdrop of Covid-19, it’s only gotten worse.
The Sunday Times recently reported that litter pickers arranged by the local council in Mainstone collected an astonishing 1950 tonnes of litter over 12 months. This represents a 250 per cent rise on the year before, costing the local council £1.2 million.
For those who are contributing to that figure from cars, enforcement is easier said than done. Up until now, this has required someone being caught in the act and slapped with a fixed penalty notice, which very rarely happens. One solution being trialled is a smart surveillance system called ‘Littercam’.
According to the company that makes it, the patent-pending technology “uses Artificial Intelligence to remotely detect vehicle-based littering offences”. It can detect items as small as cigarette butts.
The footage is securely sent to a human to ensure the machine hasn’t made a mistake, at which point the DVLA is contacted to obtain the details of the car’s registered keeper. A week or two later, they’ll have a lovely fine of up to £120 landing on their doormat.
The cameras will be rolled out first in Maidstone, with Wigan soon following. There are plans to introduce them in Sheffield too, and if these early trials are successful, other regions will no doubt want in. In Maidstone, it’s hoped the technology will help increase annual fixed penalty notices from around 200 to over 1000.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
I’m a big fan of this. Litterbugs are among the most hateful of people.
Why not increase the fine even more to really scare people. Gradually increase the fine by 20% a year, that way in the beginning people can adjust to the fact they can be charged for being dirty effing aßholes and then later it becomes even something to be scared of doing. Eventually it should cost up to 50 days of personal income or something. THat i would support. Ive never littered in my life from my car ive probably littered by accident as a pedestrian though. I hate seing the litter im glad something is going to change.
Having worked at places where I had to clean up outside no matter what the weather is. I completely agree with this, i also love the confused look people give you when they chuck it out the window when parked and i chuck it back in through the window at them.
It’s a good thing there’s at least some human interaction in this scheme. Wouldn’t want to be fined for a wet leaf unsticking and falling off the car. Still, that’s high level surveillance that should be a cause for concern if this stuff ends up in every street corner. For now, its a good thing I suppose.