DRIVERS have been warned that they face $250 fines under a new parking law set to come into force within days.

The new measures have been designed to combat nuisance stopping on important public routes.

GettyChicago residents could be fined $250 under a new December 5 law[/caption]

Officials in Chicago have started up a new programme to clamp down on motorists parking in bus or cycle lanes.

The “automatic ticket” scheme is part of the city’s Smart Streets initiative.

It will see cameras attached to buses and other official vehicles to help enforce the rules.

They will patrol the area bordered by Ashland Avenue, North Avenue, Roosevelt Road and Lake Michigan.

If they spot a car parked improperly, the cameras will scan its license plate and send it through to local law enforcement.

The image will then be checked by a human operator to establish that a violation has been committed.

This means that cops don’t have to be present at the scene to catch offenders.

Eventually, this process will result in $250 fines being sent out to the vehicle’s owner.

Monitoring began on November 4 and enforcement is set to start on December 5.

But for the first 30 days, drivers will be issued written warnings while people get used to the new system.

Alderman Walter Burnett, who backs the scheme, said: “Just one vehicle blocking these lanes can disrupt travel, create dangerous conditions, and delay commutes.”

And there are already expansion plans in place, with up to six CTA buses fitted with the cameras in 2025.

The end goal is to expand the scope of the enforcement to also catch drivers stopping in metered spaces who haven’t paid.

However, it’s possible that the cameras won’t stick around for long.

The entire programme is in a two-year pilot phase and its continuation is subject to a public consultation.

The City Council is set to evaluate a potential further expansion in November 2026.

A similar setup is also currently being trialled in Los Angeles.

That project includes a number of bus services in the Downtown and Inglewood areas.

Janice Hahn, chair of LA’s Metro Bus board, said: “It’s not fair that a single car blocking a bus lane can hold up a busload of people.

“Those riders deserve to reach their destinations safely and on-time.

“This new ticketing system is important, and I hope people don’t take the risk and move their cars out of the bus lanes.”

https://www.the-sun.com/motors/13004528/chicago-december-law-parking-fines/