Drivers face automatic fines of $406 for being in a certain lane – more than 100,000 to be fined after ‘grace period’ ends

NEW artificial intelligence will replace police officers in issuing fines to drivers who violate traffic laws.

Drivers in Los Angeles, California, could face hundreds of dollars in fines if they are caught parking in designated bus-only lanes.

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The new camera-based system launched by LA Metro will equip Metro buses with cameras to monitor obstructions in the bus lane, WEHO Times reported.

The cameras will capture vehicles parked in bus lanes or blocking bus stops.

“Once the cameras are installed, there will be a 60-day warning period for drivers. During the first 60 days, warning citations will be used as informational notices only and will not result in any violations,” Metro said, the LA Times reported.

The cameras, created by Hayden AI, aim to help improve bus times, increase ridership and solve mobility issues.

The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) said the cameras will pay for themselves as they are expected to generate millions of dollars, CW affiliate KTLA reported.

The cameras will read drivers’ license plates and send the information to LADOT.

Once a human member of LADOT verifies the violation, the driver will receive a ticket.

“Blocking bus stop zones can create accessibility issues for passengers with disabilities, who rely on level boarding between the bus stop curb and boarding the bus,” one report said. Metro board report said last year.

First-time offenders will have to pay $293, and repeat offenders will pay higher fines starting at $406.

Those who delay payments will have to pay possible late fees.

Metro and LADOT agreed to a 75/25 split, where Metro will receive the majority of the fine money.

LADOT expects to bring in $5.4 million in annual revenue from the cameras.

Some buses have already started to implement the new system; The program will be launched in two stages, starting with the installation of dozens of automatic license plate readers on Metro buses.

“Line 212 at La Brea Boulevard and Line 720 at Wilshire Boulevard will comprise Stage 1, and Lines 910/950 on the Metro J (Silver) Line and Line 70 at Olive Street and Grand Avenue will comprise Stage 2,” it said. to KTLA.

LA Metro said that based on testing the program in 2021, more than 100,000 tickets are expected to be issued annually.

Traffic officers are currently tasked with fining bus lane violators, but authorities say the current system wastes scarce resources.

“Given the increasing demands on our parking enforcement officers and limited staffing resources, enforcement has not been consistent enough to bring about lasting behavior change,” LADOT officials wrote.

“The new program will increase enforcement efficiency, which is increasingly important as LADOT traffic officers have taken on increasing demands in recent years and as the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget eliminates more than 50 enforcement officers. transit.”

The program is expected to officially launch in November and police outreach is underway.

The city has not announced how it will spend any additional revenue, according to KTLA.