UK: McDonald’s Security Contractor Uses License Plate Recognition to Fine Slow Eaters
December 12th, 2007Don’t worry. You might be able to pay your fast food parking fine with the carbon credits that you’ll receive from your voluntary sterilization to stop global warming.
No?
Via: Guardian:
The question of just how long it should take to eat fast food is being answered by the burger giant McDonald’s, which is making customers finish within 45 minutes or face a charge of £125.
Motorists who care to linger over their McMeals for any longer at some drive-throughs are receiving demands from a private company that manages car parks for the burger chain.
If they do not pay, the fee rises steadily and customers are threatened with court action and approached by bailiffs. A spokeswoman for McDonald’s said the 45-minute restrictions had been introduced at about 40 restaurants because car parks were being abused. She said signs explaining the policy were displayed and leaflets given out.
Many supermarkets and restaurants are handing over the management of their car parks to companies which use number plate recognition cameras to log when people enter and leave.
If they stay too long, the details of the registered keeper of the vehicle are obtained from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), and he or she is billed. An elderly Wiltshire couple were recently berated by Tesco after taking too long to do their Christmas shopping at the supermarket.
The company that manages McDonald’s car parks, Civil Enforcement, also works with a string of other blue-chip companies.
