New Risks for Street Parkers

Tuesday, April 15th, 2008

In true British style, motorists look set to be getting penalised even more than before, as new rules have just been introduced to alter the way that parking offences are to be dealt with.  Rosie Winterton, the Minister for Transport, has issued a statement asserting that changes are necessary, as a means of addressing concerns amongst motorists that they are often unjustly targeted.  Whilst many drivers would admit to holding this belief, few seem positive about the new laws making any difference to how fair the system appears to be.

At present, less than 1% of those motorists who have been caught for parking offences choose to challenge their penalties, yet around two thirds, of those who do, are successful in their dispute.  These figures seem sufficient to demonstrate the inefficiencies of the current system and to many, including Paul Watters of the AA, the new measures do little but “add to the complexity for local authorities, particularly it allows more room for errors to be made.”

Amongst the new measures which are being introduced is the expansion of CCTV use, particularly on busy routes where it may be too dangerous or impractical for parking attendants, or civil enforcement officers as they are now to be known, to be placed.  Furthermore, if a driver moves away before a ticket has been placed on their windscreen, it will be permissible for the attendant to organise for a ticket to be sent out in the post.  Such methods look likely to increase the number of unfair or invalid tickets which will be issued.

Another big change which has sparked complaints from drivers is the division of offences into two categories, with fines for overstaying a meter and other “minor” offences falling, whilst the fee for more serious infringements has been pushed up.  However, the vast majority of offences seem to fall into the more serious category, meaning that drivers will invariably end up paying more than in the past, whilst the council will raise its revenue.  When reviewing these charge hikes it becomes evident that the fines are in no way proportionate to the offences, as it’s now possible to be fined more for parking on a double yellow line than for assaulting a police officer, with charges reaching as much as £120 in London.

So, if you don’t want to be caught out by these new parking fines, make sure you have an affordable long term parking solution.  Check out the enquiry form on this website to find out just how cheap parking in London could be.