Why Should I Appeal Against A Parking Fine?
Do you know that 1 out of every 10 motorists get a parking ticket issued in his name? In fact there has been a fourfold increase in the number of parking tickets issued and there have also been talks held by the government regarding increase in the paring fine amount. Is it only for road safety and managing traffic? It is hard to believe that way, isn’t it?
In the year 2005, a record 19% higher parking tickets were issues compared to 2004 or 3,402, 860 tickets issued in places of 794,851 of 200-2001. It must be noted that the responsibility of enforcing parking regulations also shifted to the local councils from that of the police during this time. People mostly believe this to be an extra income generation instrument rather than a road safety one since it is not a ring fenced affair where the money would come back to the local transport.
Birmington (176,382 tickets) is the leader in rowdy motorists. Brighton & Hove issued 160,018 tickets, when Manchester dealt 136,005 tickets, and Liverpool dispensed 92,642 tickets and Nottingham just 75,350. When appeals were made, the National Parking Adjudication Service has said it will be stern and stingent for the security of our people on the road.
NPAS deals with appeals when the appeals process has been exhausted with the local Council.
With the help of Parking Ticket Appeal Service as much as 57% of all motorist appeals have their cases to the NPAs. Infact, one can win even without going to the NPAs for that matter.
In 1991, The Road Traffic Act was passed which facilitated “decriminalised parking” wherein councils could enforce parking restrictions in their area and fix higher revenues. Hence, every year the parking fine amounts has increased along with the ruthless and deviousness of councils and traffic wardens respectively. There are even stories of cars having double lines painted under them getting a parking ticket.
So many indiscreet drivers have faced the plight of the bleak ticket collectors at parking lots. At times, drivers just go in to pick up a few articles or make a payment, by the time they return, they have already been fined.
A common scene is a motorist getting stuck behind an indecisive driver fumbling in front of a pay and display machine and getting a parking ticket. Common sense should prevail in exempting the poor motorist from the fine.
As the NPAS says: “Some councils hold the unbending belief that the motorist’s duty is to have the right change in his possession before entering the car park – whatever the circumstances.” Others appear to regard the act of going for change as a contravention in its own right. “This is not the case.” So it is usual to get a parking fine whatever the individual circumstances are.
To be on the safe side, make an appeal. No matter what the fine is for, collect good evidence and present it to the authorities. If it does not cancel, at least you will get a discounted price. Be a good motorist and make sure agencies like the NPAS don’t trap you for not abiding by their scheming rules.
Also, since the traffic wardens are always kept under pressure by the councils to give out as much paring tickets as possible, most of the tickets are issued illegally. Knowledge of this and other loopholes increases the chances of you wining your appeal manifolds.
A preconceived notion that a motorist usually has to write a lengthy and complicated letter leads many to drawback from appealing in the first place. However, this is not true since what is required is a simple and basic letter, drafting which you can get a lot of help from online resources in the form of samples and templates.
Draft your appeal letter in short and simple paragraphs starting with an introduction. You must never be rude or use technical jargons in it. It should come across as a polite letter that is easy to read and understand. In the introduction, state that you have been wrongly ticketed and that your purpose of the letter is to appeal for the same.
Some of the reasons might be that you were not the driver, probably your car was stolen, you might have suffered a break down or it may even be that there wasn’t enough instruction regarding parking given in that area. Remember, whatever you say, providing photographic evidence always works in your favour.
Get more information from http://www.cancelmyticket.co.uk. Find out about cancelling all UK Parking Tickets. Find out about appealing Parking Charges from this site.
