The city of Albuquerque wants to create a parking offense for drivers who are in default of payment on three or more fines generated from the Automated Speed Enforcement Ordinance (ASE) and the parking ordinance. The automated systems issue $100 citations to speeding and parking offenders.
“Automated speed enforcement is a useful tool to help slow dangerous driving and make our streets safer,” Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said in a release from the city. “This ordinance would increase the effectiveness of ASE by providing another way to hold violators accountable for their actions.”
The update to the ASE will allow the city to boot vehicles with three or more unpaid ASE fines when parked on city streets. This would apply to the few frequent violators who refuse to pay their initial fines and don’t participate in community service.
“Automated Speed Enforcement has been a great tool in slowing down traffic speeds and the option of community service has been a helpful alternative to paying fines,” said City Councilor Klarissa Peña in the release. “But we need to ensure violators are paying their fines and completing their penalties.”
If the update is approved, the Department of Municipal Development will notify people with two or more unpaid ASE fines that fines in default could result in a parking citation and vehicle immobilization and impoundment if the person parks their vehicle on any Albuquerque street or city-owned or managed facility.
“Clearly, there should be a consequence for those who repeatedly ignore these speeding citations,” Albuquerque Councilor Isaac Benton said in the release.
For more information on the proposed amendments and the ASE Ordinance, sponsored by Councilors Pena, Benton and Brook Bassan, please visit the city of Albuquerque's website.