New Law Eliminates ‘Five-Minute Fines’ for ANPR Camera-Controlled Private Car Parks
Drivers who park in ANPR camera-controlled private car parks will no longer be penalised for taking too long to pay, thanks to a new law set to come into effect on Monday. The changes were proposed following a review from the Private Parking Scrutiny and Advice Panel (PPSAP).
Previously, drivers using private parking sites were required to pay within five minutes of arrival or face fines of up to £100, regardless of whether the parking charge was eventually paid or if they had to leave the site due to lack of space.
The PPSAP stated that these changes aim to “safeguard” drivers and ensure that motorists facing difficulties in paying within a short timeframe are treated fairly. Drivers using ANPR camera-controlled car parks will now have until they leave to make their payment, with these changes not applicable to other car parks.
Will Hurley, chief executive of the International Parking Community, commended the panel for acting swiftly to introduce safeguards for motorists. He emphasized the importance of drivers following instructions on signage when parking their vehicles to avoid any issues.
Andrew Pester, chief executive of the British Parking Association, highlighted that the parking sector is continuously working to operate in the best interest of compliant motorists and to manage parking fairly for all. He described the decision to eliminate ‘five-minute fines’ as another crucial step towards achieving this goal.
The decision to implement these changes follows the case of Rosey Hudson, who faced court proceedings for refusing to pay fines totaling £1906. Hudson had struggled to make payments within five minutes at a car park in Derby due to poor phone signal. Excel Parking ultimately dropped the case after the BBC reported on the situation.
Overall, the new law aims to provide greater flexibility for drivers using ANPR camera-controlled private car parks and ensure that they are treated fairly when faced with challenges in making timely payments. It is essential for motorists to adhere to signage instructions to avoid any potential issues while parking.
