Solar powered camera making school drop-offs safer

Two months into a six-month trial, a solar-powered camera mounted outside a Christchurch school is helping to improve driver behaviour, and there are plans for six more across the city.

The Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) camera is mounted outside St Thomas of Canterbury School on Middlepark Road, where it operates from 8.15am – 9.15am and 2.30pm – 3.30pm.

Christchurch City Council Transport Operations Manager Stephen Wright says they have many requests from schools for parking officers to monitor driver behaviour during drop-off and pick-up times, but resources are limited.

“This camera can be moved from one location to another as needed, is completely solar powered, has a memory card and SIM card installed, and built-in license plate recognition software, so it automatically detects a vehicle in a specified zone and records a video of the offending vehicle.”

The camera picks up on vehicles using the cycle lane and parking over double yellow lines outside St Thomas of Canterbury School.

The trial on Middlepark Road was preceded by a warning period between 26 August – 13 October, where the camera was operational but only warning letters were issued for infringements. During this time 63 warning notices were sent. Signs were also installed 50 metres either side of the camera, to raise awareness that the cameras were there. 

“Since the trial began on 14 October, we’ve seen a significant improvement with compliance in and around the cycle path and broken yellow lines outside St Thomas of Canterbury,” Mr Wright says. 

"To date, we have issued 58 infringement notices to vehicles for driver infringements and during the week beginning 25 November, only three infringement notices were issued, so it's good to see a downward trend."

He adds that there are also benefits from a health and safety standpoint as officers are not required to be onsite to enforce.

“This is a big positive, as our officers encounter a high level of abuse during school enforcement. While it is disappointing to see a few repeat offenders, we hope that over time we will continue to see positive behaviour change. It’s just making sure that everyone has access to safe and reliable roadways.”