This $73k camera-car caught over 5,000 Hastings drivers; thousands more parkers than humans

Fine sweeper, a camera-equipped vehicle deployed by Hastings District Council to curb illegal parking, has flagged 5,326 overstaying vehicles between January 1 and June 1, 2025. Council officers say it’s working “very efficiently” to spot violations across Hastings and Havelock North.

The vehicles are overstaying in time-limited parking zones across Hastings and Havelock North.

Also Read: Trump threatened to bomb the s**t out of Moscow if Putin invaded Ukraine, claims US media citing 2024 audio tape



Although the MLPR car scans and photographs parked vehicles, it does not issue tickets on the spot. Instead, four parking officers take turns driving it, and the data is sent back to the office, where infringement notices are processed and mailed.

For comparison, in the same five-month period, officers on foot issued 3,926 tickets for parking violations.

How the system works

The $73,000 hybrid vehicle, funded entirely through parking revenue, is equipped with cameras on its roof and rear. It takes images of license plates and tires to determine whether a car has moved. If not, and the time limit has expired, a fine is issued.

Officers only issue fines for vehicles that overstay time-limited zones, which apply to all metered parking spaces.

Efficiency and safety

A council spokesperson described the system as “very efficient,” though noted that officers still play a crucial role in reviewing images and issuing fines. While the smart car can operate in low light, it is not used at night.

The MLPR vehicle is also part of a broader goal to improve staff safety, as abuse from the public remains a problem for officers on foot—though no such incidents have been reported with the smart car.

While the car adds value by catching more violators, the council said there are ongoing expenses, including vehicle maintenance, software support, staff wages, and court filing fees. The spokesperson did not say when the vehicle might pay for itself but stressed its benefits go beyond revenue.

The ‘fine sweeper’ was first introduced in July 2024, but initial technical issues meant only warnings were sent in the early months.