Drivers fined by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras have the chance to appeal as millions risk getting caught out by the technology on a daily basis.
It comes as over 11,000 ANPR cameras operating across the UK have collectively read roughly 60 million number plates every day.
To appeal, drivers need to upload different types of evidence to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal from photographs and screenshots to audio and video files.
From this, adjudicators can make an “e-Decision” based on the evidence submitted as quickly as a matter of days.
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Almost five million penalty notices were issued through ANPR systems in 2021/22
PA
The most recent data applies to 2021 and 2022 and found that 4.9 million penalty charge notices were issued through ANPR systems.
Out of the total number of fines handed out, 2,500 cases were successfully appealed while 2,016 were dismissed through the appeal process.
The police use automatic number plate recognition technology to help “detect, deter and disrupt” criminal activity at a local, force, regional and national level.
This includes drivers who break the law while on the road through speeding violations and other Highway Code infringements.
The technology works by instantly reading and checking a vehicle’s registration plate against a database record.
Following this, police officers can stop a vehicle, speak to the occupants and, where necessary, make arrests.
The cameras have infrared lights embedded into the technology, allowing them to work throughout the day and at night.
Despite the cameras being used to deter crime, some drivers have been left worse off after malfunctions with the technology incorrectly recorded rule breakers.
In one case, a driver was left £638 out of pocket after being charged by an ANPR system for overstaying at Manchester airport.
The driver said that he had parked at Manchester Airport Terminal One for 50 minutes from roughly 12.35pm to 1.25pm on May 15, the Sun reported.
He said: “It is an ANPR system, no tickets, no receipt, zero paper trail other than my bank statement. The charge should have been £12 on exiting the car park.
“I couldn’t clearly see the digital display on the exit gate pay machine, due to the height, angle and sun glare on it.”
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ANPR systems are in place 24/7 across the country
PA
A spokesperson for Manchester Airport said the airport had apologised to the driver over the “technical error” and issued him a full refund.
Many police vehicles are fitted with automatic number plate recognition to catch drivers while they travel past.