Traffic wardens will start patrolling Dundee at night to crackdown on illegal parking.
The move, which will come into force on Monday, means drivers who park on double yellow lines near their homes could find £30 penalties slapped on their windscreens.
A spokesman for The RAC Foundation warned many drivers will believe the move is to fill council coffers rather than an urgent need to address parking issues.
For years, traffic wardens have only worked in Dundee during the day so people living in residential streets with limited parking, such as such as Cardross Street off Clepington Road, have been able to park on double yellow lines and know they are unlikely to get a ticket if they move their vehicle before 8am.
But city development convener, Councillor Lynne Short said from next week drivers can expect stricter enforcement of traffic rules.
She said: “For years now we have received complaints of people parking irresponsibility and dangerously in the evening.
“Therefore, we have decided that in order to tackle this issue we are going to change the work pattern of the parking attendants so they are patrolling the streets in the evening.”
Dundee City Council issued more than 31,000 parking tickets in 2016.
Earlier this year, research by motoring group the RAC Foundation revealed Dundee had doubled the amount of money it makes from parking fines in just four years.
In 2015/16 the city council made a profit of £1.65 million from parking, more than double the £750,000 it made in 2012/13.
Anyone caught parking illegally by council traffic wardens in Dundee will receive a £30 fine, which rises to £60 if not paid within 14 days.
The fine rises to £90 if not paid within four weeks of being issued.
A spokesman for the RAC Foundation said: “Given the amount of money Dundee is making from parking sceptical drivers might believe the increased surveillance is less about safety and mobility, and more about raising money.
“Perhaps the council could review its double-yellow policy to ensure all the restrictions are strictly necessary.
“While some streets might need better enforcement there could be others where, actually, parking prohibition could be lifted in the quiet hours to help motorists find somewhere to responsibly leave their cars?”
