This car-mounted camera is Bournemouth council’s latest weapon in the war on irresponsible motorists.

The council is the first in the country to use a vehicle camera to tackle the problem of dangerous parking outside schools, at pedestrian crossings and at bus stops.

In the ground-breaking initiative, a camera will be located on the roof of a council vehicle, which will be driven around town recording images of cars flouting the law.

Although the car will be fully marked with Bournemouth council’s logo and a camera sign, many motorists will be unaware they have been caught until they receive a £70 fine and a set of three photos a few days later.

It’s hoped the car will be ready to use from April. It will patrol outside schools as pupils are dropped off and collected and down the main bus routes at other times.

In its first two weeks, offenders will receive a warning instead of a fine. When fines are issued, motorists will have 21 days to appeal instead of the customary 14.

The problem of parents parking on zigzags outside schools has previously been highlighted by the Daily Echo’s Parking Mad campaign while both Wilts and Dorset and Yellow Buses have complained about inconsiderate motorists blocking bus stops. Both companies have welcomed the council’s decision to use the car-mounted camera.

James Duncan, transportation services manager, said: “This technology is specifically to help us with offences that cannot realistically be dealt with by somebody on the street.

“Our aim is that we get no revenue from it at all. That means that everyone is behaving themselves.”

And Cllr Robert Lawton, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “This system offers proven benefits to residents and businesses alike by reducing the number of road accidents, especially children, improving the reliability of the bus service, reducing the impact of congestion and thus improving the environment for everybody.”

The technology has been designed by SEA Group Ltd, who say councils all over the country have expressed an interest in following Bournemouth’s lead if the scheme is successful.