Drivers face automatic $406 fines for being in certain lane – more than 100k to be ticketed after ‘grace period’ ends

A NEW artificial intelligence will replace police officers in issuing tickets to drivers violating lane laws. 

Drivers in Los Angeles, California, can face hundreds of dollars in fines if they are caught parking in lanes designated for buses only.

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

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

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

The cameras will scan driver’s license plates and send the information to LADOT.

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

“Blocking bus stop zones can create accessibility issues for passengers with disabilities, who rely on level boarding between the bus stop curbside and boarding the bus,” a 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 are late making 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 gross $5.4 million in annual revenue from the cameras.

Some buses have already begun implementing the new system; the program will launch in two stages, starting with dozens of automatic license plate readers being installed on Metro buses. 

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

LA Metro said that based on test runs of the program in 2021, over 100,000 tickets are expected to be issued annually.

Traffic officers are currently tasked with ticketing bus lane violators, but officials claim 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 have lasting behavior change,” LADOT officials wrote. 

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

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

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