Moment ‘idiot’ parking warden slaps ticket on ambulance

Steep car parking fines are a modern day curse, raking in millions of pounds every year for private firms and cash-starved councils.

Although car park operators are using increasingly sinister tactics to ensure these fines are paid, victims can hit back. About half of fines challenged are overturned.

The latest trick being employed by firms is to pay the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency to provide private address details that can be traced from a car number plate.

Armed with this information, the companies – running car parks at hospitals, shopping centres and restaurants – are sending threatening letters demanding up to £100 in fines.

Last year, a record 4.7million people had their addresses bought for £2.50 a piece by car park operators, earning the agency almost £12million.

Philip Gomm, of The RAC Foundation, says: ‘Fines sent through the post often use intimidating wording and extortionate charges are often levied for minor infringements – such as accidentally overstaying in a car park by just a few minutes.’

Private companies earn an estimated £500million a year from issuing parking fines. While equivalent data is not available from councils, they pocket at least £750million from a combination of car parking charges and fines.

Parking campaigner Barrie Segal, who runs website AppealNow, says: ‘They are the modern-day version of Dick Turpin, acting like outlaws by making outrageously unfair penalty demands. It is a huge money-spinner for them.’ Key to the success of many car park operators is the use of bullying tactics.

If you pay up in 14 days, they say, the penalty amount will be halved, panicking most motorists to foot the bill rather than fight a charge.

There is also the threat of sending debt collectors round if a fine goes unpaid, though bailiffs cannot go knocking on a door without first going to court. What the parking attendants fail to reveal is that half of motorists who fight a fine eventually win. But you must arm yourself with information and have the stomach for a fight.

PREPARE FOR APPEAL 

If you have been issued with a ticket you deem to be unfair do not hand over any cash. If you do, you are effectively admitting responsibility.

While half of all appeals succeed, be prepared for a lengthy process.

Jeanette Miller is managing director of national motoring law specialist Geoffrey Miller Solicitors. She says: ‘It rarely pays to hire a lawyer in cases involving disputed car parking fines. But if you are aware of the law and do your homework it will boost your chances of success.’

She points out that The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 was introduced to stamp out car clamping. But as a concession to the car park operators, it paved the way for private firms to chase motorists using details gleaned from the DVLA.

Under the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999, any sums demanded must be deemed ‘fair and reasonable’. But this still means an £85 fine for overstaying by a few minutes might be deemed fair in a court of law if it is seen as a legitimate deterrent.

Miller, president of the Association of Motor Offence Lawyers, adds: ‘Take time to prepare a case, do not just get angry. Revisit the car park, take photos, write targeted letters and be prepared to attend court.’



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