Car parking can prove expensive (Image: Getty)
Motorists who take up two parking bays to protect their cars from scratches and door dings face an immediate £100 fine, according to an expert. Many drivers who left their vehicle parked, particularly in a supermarket car park, have returned to find it damaged.
In an attempt to avoid a similar experience, some drivers intentionally occupy two bays, giving their vehicles additional space on both sides. Some even choose to pay more for parking to occupy two bays. However, Graham Conway, Managing Director at , has warned that this practice is not only seen as “selfish” by fellow drivers but could also result in a costly £100 penalty. Conway said, as reported by : “More and more private and public car parks are adopting a zero-tolerance approach to parking within the white lines of designated bays.
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“Even minor indiscretions, when a wheel is just a fraction over the line, are being punished with penalty charge notice (PCN) of up to £100, depending on the location.
“And if you choose to straddle two bays in order to protect your car from bumps and scrapes, you’re asking for trouble. It doesn’t matter if the car park is relatively empty, either, as you still run the risk of a hefty fine.”
Drivers who park across two bays may find a PCN attached to their windscreen or, in car parks equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, receive a letter in the post asking for the payment.
Mr Conway said: “It’s easy to understand why someone might park across two bays, particularly if they’ve got a high value vehicle they want to protect at all costs. But the behaviour is almost universally seen as inconsiderate and selfish, particularly if car parking spaces are at a premium at that particular location.” He advised: “My advice would be to choose the quietest possible spot in the car park, even if it means a slightly longer walk to get to where you need to be, and to stick within the white lines.”
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A recent study by the Transport and Environment (T&E) campaign group has revealed that the average width of new cars in the EU and UK has been increasing by 0.5cm annually since 2001, now exceeding 180cm in 2023.
Despite this, parking space dimensions have remained the same for decades, sticking to the standard 2.4m in width and 4.8m in length.
Conway continued: “Despite the increased girth of new cars, it is still possible to slot within the white lines – given a little care when you’re parking. The Porsche Taycan, for example, is a relatively wide car yet still only 2.14m across, including the mirrors, making it entirely feasible to park in most spaces.”
Select Car Leasing has warned drivers against using a dubious “hack” involving straddling two parking bays. Some motorists in ‘Pay and Display’ car parks have been buying TWO tickets to cover both bays they occupy.
However, Mr Conway said: “While the cost of an extra parking ticket might seem like a bargain compared with the price of door paint, it’s highly likely that you’ll still be hit with a fine for failing to park in the designated bays.”