By Luzita Naidoo, 8th December 2009
Motorist got a raw deal last year as councils raked in an
estimated £328million in parking fines.
The rising figure of parking fines dished out has caused the
Driver's Alliance to question the motives of local authorities. It
is said that even though the total figure raised by parking fines
dropped by 16 per cent compared to the previous year, these huge
sums had provoked anger amongst drivers.
The council that charged the most in parking fines relative to
their daytime population was Kensington and Chelsea, with an
average of £85 per person in 2008-09.
Of the top ten councils with the highest level of 'fines per
daytime population', six were rated as 4 star councils by the Audit
Commission, permitting the proceeds from parking tickets to be
spent in any way the council wished.
According to the Road Traffic Act 1991, local authorities could
assume responsibility for parking enforcement; however, any surplus
income was to be used for transport improvements.
Parking enforcement has become a massive
money making industry…where the penalties far outweigh the
offence.
The Drivers' Alliance questioned the reasoning
behind increasing parking fines. The Chief Executive of the
alliance said: "Parking enforcement has become a massive money
making industry…where the penalties far outweigh the offence."
However, David Sparks, Chairman of the local Government
Association Transport and Regeneration Board, said, "Parking
restrictions are in place to keep people safe on our streets, stop
traffic jams and keep roads clear for emergency services. Councils
will not apologize for giving out parking fines to stop cars
parking illegally."
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