Vancouver police Const. John Kim demonstrates the new electronic ticketing system. Photo Dan Toulgoet
Vancouver police Tuesday morning rolled out a new way of writing tickets.
The department is one of five across the province taking part in a new electronic ticketing pilot project.
The technology allows officers to scan a driver’s licence, automatically filling in all the relevant information. The officer enters the location, type of offence and the fine through drop-down menus, before printing out the ticket. The new system allows officers to quickly fill in and print out tickets roadside, and shares the information electronically with ICBC and RoadSafetyBC.
“The eTicketing program will have several benefits for the VPD and our partnering agencies,” said Supt. Steve Eely. “We have outfitted 20 VPD patrol cars and 10 motorcycles with the eTicketing technology. The new streamlined system should speed up the ticketing process and decrease the number of cancelled ticket due to administrative errors.”
Under the current system, officers must hand write a ticket. Once issued the ticket is transcribed and then sent on to ICBC and RoadSafetyBC, which have to enter the information into their own systems. Any mistake made along the way could cancel the ticket.
Last year, Vancouver police issued more than 54,400 tickets. So far this year the department has issued approximately 13,590 tickets, and every year hundreds of tickets end up cancelled due to mistakes.
During the pilot project, officers in vehicles without the new eTicketing system will still be issuing handwritten tickets — both are valid, Eely said.
The electronic tickets will contain all the same information, and carry the same penalties, as traditional written tickets. However, eTicket recipients will have the option to pay the fines through a new online payment system, PayBC, or continue to use traditional payment methods such as in person at ServiceBC or ICBC locations, by phone or mail.
Delta Police Department was the first to roll out the new technology early last month. Other departments taking part in the pilot project, which runs until mid-May, include Prince George, North District RCMP and the Capital Regional District Integrated Road Safety Unit.
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