Almost 200 Canberrans who found the dreaded slip stuck on their windscreen after overstaying parking received a Christmas Eve reprieve.
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But the potential $22,800 loss in revenue should not put too much of dent in the ACT government's coffers, with fine revenue expected to jump almost 30 per cent this financial year.
![Motorists caught overstaying their parking on Christmas Eve received a surprise in their ticket Photo: supplied Motorists caught overstaying their parking on Christmas Eve received a surprise in their ticket Photo: supplied](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/dbb6c8f1-9864-4acb-92b2-6f87bfc07635/r0_0_316_242_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The government made $11.6 million in fines in 2016-17 and has budgeted to make $16.01 million in fines in 2017-18.
Access Canberra acting chief operating officer Craig Simmons said parking inspectors often took a more lenient approach to parking over Christmas but the effort was coordinated this year.
![Instead of a fine, the drivers received a warning. Photo: supplied Instead of a fine, the drivers received a warning. Photo: supplied](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/305328e7-2eaa-45b6-bc4e-6dd8a753d8b1/r0_0_367_267_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The Christmas Eve surprise only applied to motorists who had overstayed their parking in paid areas.
Rather than a fine, these Canberrans received a warning from parking officers:
"Hi there,
You've overstayed on your parking today.
Our Festive Season gift to you is: this warning instead of a $114 fine.
Your New Year's Resolution to us: parking safely and fairly in 2018.
Best Wishes from Access Canberra."
Motorists found undertaking dangerous parking practices, such as stopping on pedestrian crossings, in no stopping zones, or parking on footpaths or loading zones, still received fines.
Mr Simmons hoped those Canberrans who received the festive season reprieve would make good on the resolution to "park safely and fairly" in 2018.
"Parking management occurs across our city to ensure we support safe and vibrant town and city centres for all Canberrans," Mr Simmons said.
"While most people understand the impact of parking dangerously not all people understand that overstaying on parking can also have an impact.
"By overstaying your time, not only are you inconveniencing other motorists who may be looking for a parking spot, it also impacts businesses by reducing access for potential customers who may have sought to visit."
Mr Simmons said this would remain a focus in 2018 with license plate recognition technology, also known as electronic chalking, now in place.
This new technology, as well as other "increased enforcement activity" is expected to raise an extra $4.4 million in fines this financial year.
Electronic chalking is a vehicle mounted camera system that allows parking officers to capture and record images of parked vehicles to determine if they have overstayed the maximum time limits or if they are unlawfully and/or dangerously parked.
This technology will primarily be used to check on-road parking, rather than in outdoor car parking areas. Those areas will still be serviced by foot patrols.