31st March 2008
Parking rules shake-up
New parking regulations which come into force today will allow councils outside London to use CCTV camera footage to issue fines. The move, which could see drivers receiving parking tickets by post, has been criticised by motorist support groups.
However, the Department for Transport says that its package of changes is aimed at making parking fairer, clearer and more open.
Offences will now be categorised into higher and lower levels, with larger fines for the more serious violations such as parking in a disabled persons space without showing a blue badge. Motorists who return to their cars minutes after their paid time expires should now receive a lesser fine.
Under the guidelines, councils can no longer use ticketing as a way of raising revenue nor can they set targets for the number of tickets issued. Attendants must also have clear evidence of an offence and will now be encouraged to wheelclamp persistent offenders only as a last resort.
"We want to make life better for motorists," said transport minister Rosie Winterton. "Ongoing roadworks and unclear parking enforcement are among road users' biggest concerns. These new powers are designed to tackle both issues and are a key part of the government's strategy to tackle congestion and keep traffic moving."
Commenting on CCTV parking fines, AA president Edmund King called for a sense of proportion. "Some local authorities have lost sight of the original aims of parking enforcement, which was to keep traffic flowing, warn selfish drivers, punish blatant offenders and keep legitimate use of car parking spaces ticking over.
"Drivers will feel that tickets by post is just an extension of 'open season' on the motorist," he told motor news website totallymotor.co.uk.
A full list of higher and lower level contraventions can be found on the BBC website.
However, the Department for Transport says that its package of changes is aimed at making parking fairer, clearer and more open.
Offences will now be categorised into higher and lower levels, with larger fines for the more serious violations such as parking in a disabled persons space without showing a blue badge. Motorists who return to their cars minutes after their paid time expires should now receive a lesser fine.
Under the guidelines, councils can no longer use ticketing as a way of raising revenue nor can they set targets for the number of tickets issued. Attendants must also have clear evidence of an offence and will now be encouraged to wheelclamp persistent offenders only as a last resort.
"We want to make life better for motorists," said transport minister Rosie Winterton. "Ongoing roadworks and unclear parking enforcement are among road users' biggest concerns. These new powers are designed to tackle both issues and are a key part of the government's strategy to tackle congestion and keep traffic moving."
Commenting on CCTV parking fines, AA president Edmund King called for a sense of proportion. "Some local authorities have lost sight of the original aims of parking enforcement, which was to keep traffic flowing, warn selfish drivers, punish blatant offenders and keep legitimate use of car parking spaces ticking over.
"Drivers will feel that tickets by post is just an extension of 'open season' on the motorist," he told motor news website totallymotor.co.uk.
A full list of higher and lower level contraventions can be found on the BBC website.
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