Bad Parking Jobs Caught On Camera Will Soon Come With A Fine In Culver City

CULVER CITY, CA — Motorists in Culver City should be aware of watchful eyes ready to rat them out for parking in bus lanes — an offense that as of Monday will come with a nearly $300 fine.

Culver CityBus earlier this year launched the first phase of a new enforcement program that aims to catch people parked at bus stops or in bus-only lanes using cameras mounted on buses. Over the last 60 days, violators caught by the buses' cameras were mailed warnings. On Monday, the city will begin issuing tickets to violators.

The program's launch comes after a similar one was implemented in the city of Los Angeles at the end of last year. Similar programs are in place in Santa Monica, Sacramento and New York City.

City officials said such illegal parking jobs create a problem for disabled people — if a bus stop is blocked by a vehicle, bus drivers are unable to safely deploy wheelchair ramps. Illegal parking in bus stops and lanes also creates other safety issues when transit riders are forced to step into traffic lanes.

The bus cameras are able to catch motorists for violations that currently require an enforcement officer's own two eyes. But the ticket's won't be sent automatically — evidence will be reviewed by officials before issuing warnings or fines, according to the city.

• Read more about LA Metro's growing program of bus-mounted camera enforcement.