Drivers face harsher regulations in car parks (Image: Getty)
Drivers are furious after changes to regulations could see them fined for doing very little wrong.
Local councils and private parking firms are tightening enforcement with new regulations that allow for stricter monitoring and faster penalty issuance in car parks.
Many fines are now issued automatically using ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) technology, which can generate a penalty within seconds of detecting a possible violation.
The new rules could mean: Shorter grace periods – less time to park, pay or leave; fines for minor infractions – briefly stopping in a car park, even to check a satnav; automatic penalties using ANPR with little time to contest fines; and more power to private firms to issue excessive fines.
Experts from Tollwayr warn that these changes could lead to unfair penalties. A spokesman said: “Many motorists could be fined simply for pausing momentarily in a car park or missing a poorly placed sign.”
Local authorities and private firms could enforce harsher rules (Image: Getty)
Drivers are outraged, according to the company, with many calling the new rules unfair and predatory, punishing people for normal behaviour when they didn’t mean to break a rule.
There have already been incidents of aggressive enforcement.
A driver in Manchester was fined £60 for pulling into a retail park for less than two minutes to check their satnav. A family in London was fined after they left the car park one minute after their time limit, despite them being stuck in a queue to exit.
Local authorities in England issued over eight million parking fines last year, generating more than £250 million in revenue.
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Campaigners argue that rather than improving road safety or traffic flow, these rules are being used as a cash grab, hitting ordinary drivers with unfair fines that are difficult to challenge.
They are urging drivers to check parking signs for changes, use official parking apps that show restrictions, and challenge unfair fines if they are made in error or through misleading signage.
Despite authorities claiming these measures will improve efficiency and compliance, experts from Tollwayr argue that they are a stealth tax on motorists, generating revenue at the expense of drivers.