Keep these meters fed – they’ve got your number

VANCOUVER, B.C. – The good news about a new breed of parking meter is that it would be easier to use. The bad news, for scofflaws at least, is that it would record license plates, making it easier to nab violators.

The Photo Violation Meter, designed by Photo Violations Technology Corp. of Vancouver, would accept credit and debit cards, even payment by cellular telephones, and provide grace periods of, say, 15 or 30 minutes, so that motorists returning to their vehicles could pay for the extra time without penalty.

Those who exceed the grace period could pay fines at the meter, possibly at a reduced rate.

Anyone who fails to pay what is owed will need to do more than beat the meter police.

The new meters also are designed to capture the images of licenses plates.

Oh, and one other thing.

They won’t accept payment during rush hour in places where parking is prohibited.

A test run for the new meters is planned in the Vancouver area next month.