Since the days of abolishing criminal acts on motorists and drivers in 1990s parking control powers have been allotted to the local councils away from the police. Since then there has been a sharp increase in the issuing of parking tickets and more people appealing against them.
In the aftermath of decriminalization, it can be said that common people are starting to realize that the local councils are merely using the parking ticket issuance power vested on them, to generate revenue by way of parking fines and it is the very reason behind the increase in the number of parking tickets in recent times.
Moreover, owing to the huge increase in the parking fines, people are all the more resorting to parking fine appeals.
A wise decision would be to appeal against unfair parking tickets issued. Roughly 50% of all motorists win their cases and infact the local council representatives even fail to turn up for such hearings in most of the times.
They do however serve a purpose. If nobody was issued with a parking ticket then there would be chaos and confusion on the streets. The local council would also have smaller transport revenues and hence smaller budgets which will in turn compel them to increase council tax as there would be no revenues from parking fines.
Though this is the original theory behind parking ticket concept and parking fines charged against law breaks, the real picture shows numerous traffic wardens who are pressurized into issue the maximum tickets possible so as to boost local revenue by the parking fines.
For a motorist, parking in a public car park or a street when he is unsure of the place is not a good idea. You need to first look out for any signs or road markings that might be present nearby. If you are unsure, it is better not to park there rather than take the risk of being charged a huge parking fine and thereafter having to appeal the same.
To appeal for a parking is not a very hard procedure. But in spite of these easy steps 99% people are still paying their parking fine. All it takes a simple letter to the local council or if you are lucky, then one very quick and easy email.
Is it really so much of a hassle? Drafting a short mail that can save 30 120 pounds from your pocket? Drivers do not know how easy it is to write this letter and that is where the problem is. There are countless sites that tell you about the entire process and also offer appeal templates. Moreover, there exist many sites who would actually draft the letter for you.
Now to ensure you are successful you will need some kind of evidence. You could for example have photographs showing that there were no signs at the place where you parked; or that there was a sign which shows you were parking legally. In this way with near two thirds of parking tickets being distributed illegally there stands a big chance for you!
Going via the technicality way is the next alternative for you which involve focusing on what is given in the ticket. Thus, if you are given a ticket saying that you parked wrongly in Smith Road whereas you were in Smith Street in reality, you can always argue that the contravention never happened winning your appeal in the process.
Again there is yet another new phenomenon called private parking tickets. In this the ticket appears similar to what a traffic warden gives you only the distinction from normal ticket is it will say something like Parking Charge Notice pay within 14 days for a reduced rate. Non payment will result in us contacting the D.V.L.A. for your details.
But you really should not take any notice at all of these privately issued tickets. They have no legal basis. The tickets they issue are in fact invoices inviting you to pay. You do not legally have to! Do not even bother to contact them as they are likely to reply with a threatening letter.
To make things clear let us set one example in which a company named Euro Car Parks has never taken anyone to court for non payment of their parking fines.
As a general rule if any company seeks to take you into court over non payment, then they need to prove you as a registered keeper who was party to any contract (when you enter their car park you enter in to a contract). That is to say they need to show that you were driving the car at that time. Even if they prove that you were actually driving the car, they would only be entitled to the amount of 2 pounds for an extra parking hour.
To conclude one should not pay attention to any private parking company issuing illegal tickets. Ignore them or simply do not pay even if they send you 3 or 4 time threatening letters.
Thus, as a conclusion it can be said that you have a good chance of winning your appeal against unfair parking charges and you must never pay fines without trying. Visit the website below for help and advice.