Many drivers are facing unexpected £100 parking fines due to a glitch in Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology known as the “double dipping” error. This issue results in motorists being penalized unfairly, despite adhering to parking rules.
ANPR cameras track vehicle entry and exit times to calculate parking durations, automatically issuing Parking Charge Notices (PCNs) if they detect violations. However, errors in this system can incorrectly suggest that a vehicle has remained in a parking lot for an extended period.
Fraser Sampson, former Home Office biometrics and surveillance camera commissioner, has noted that while ANPR systems boast about 97% accuracy, this margin still leads to millions of misreads annually.
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The “double dipping” glitch occurs when a driver makes two visits to the same car park within a short timeframe. If the system fails to record the vehicle’s exit on the first visit or the entry on the second, it may erroneously calculate the total parking time across both visits, resulting in a fine.
James Aitchison, a senior researcher who experienced this issue firsthand, explained how the system failed to detect his exit and re-entry over two days. To contest the fine, he provided Google Location screenshots and train ticket stubs proving his whereabouts during the contested periods.
A recent investigation by Which? revealed the prevalence of inaccuracies in ANPR technology. While touted as highly reliable, the small percentage of errors leads to numerous everyday misreadings affecting drivers.
The issue highlights broader challenges with ANPR systems, including vulnerabilities such as cloned number plates used to evade charges, emphasizing the need for more robust and accurate enforcement technology.