Photo caption: Municipal project manager Jack Smit and Alderman Herbert Raat at the installation of the enforcement camera in Bovenkerk.
At the bus locks on the Noorddammerlaan in Bovenkerk and at the Westwijkplein in Westwijk, enforcement cameras were installed today to record the license plates of vehicles illegally passing the bus lock. In Bovenkerk , only scheduled buses, emergency services and vehicles with an exemption are allowed to pass the bus lock. In Westwijk, there is also an exception for trucks used to supply the shopping center. All other motor vehicles are prohibited from entering.
Especially at the bus lock in Bovenkerk violations occur regularly since, at the request of Connexxion, the bus lock was lowered last year. The new electric buses would otherwise not be able to pass the bus lock without damage. An additional consequence is that motorists also drive over the bus lock very regularly. "We immediately stepped up enforcement at the bus lock, but they cannot be here 24 hours a day. With the enforcement cameras, we can enforce traffic violations much more efficiently," said Alderman Herbert Raat (enforcement, traffic and transportation). "Because a bus lock is there for a reason. In Bovenkerk , a cut-off for through traffic has been installed on the route with the goal of improving livability and traffic safety throughout Bovenkerk . The placement of enforcement cameras against moped and moped riders in the Old Village and on Kazernepad is also being considered."
ANPR enforcement
These are so-called ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras. These cameras only register license plates within the area where the closed statement (the entry ban) applies. All applicable privacy laws are met. In order to proceed with camera enforcement, an extensive procedure was followed. The Public Prosecutor's Office has given permission for the placement. Control by cameras will be indicated by signs on the road.
Planning
The enforcement cameras will be tested in the coming weeks and put into operation in early March. Before the violations are forwarded to the Central Judicial Collection Agency (CJIB), municipal enforcers review the camera footage to verify that it is actually a traffic violation.
For the first six weeks, traffic offenders receive a warning. After that, CJIB sends out the fines. A fine for passing the bus lock costs €120, excluding €9 administrative fee.