British motorists have been hit with a record number of parking tickets over the last year, with new data revealing a dramatic 17 per cent increase in penalties.
Record-Breaking Fines for UK Motorists
According to the latest figures, a staggering 3.6 million parking tickets were handed out to drivers across the UK in the previous 12 months. This equates to an astonishing 15.9 million motorists finding the dreaded yellow envelope on their windscreen.
The data, based on records from companies that pursue vehicle owners, covers alleged infringements in private car parks. These include facilities at shopping centres, leisure complexes, and motorway service stations.
Industry Leaders Sound the Alarm
Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, expressed serious concern over the figures. He stated that the rate of tickets being issued by the private parking industry has reached yet another record high.
"While part of the rise may be due to more car parks being privately managed, the figures show that 48,000 tickets per day were issued between June and September," Williams said. "This seems ominously high, considering most people try very hard to avoid receiving a private parking notice."
He added: "This is why we fear something must be going badly awry and why the outcome of the latest Private Parking Code of Practice consultation can't come soon enough. Drivers need to know they're being treated fairly whenever they use a private car park."
What to Do If You Receive a Private Parking Ticket
For drivers who find themselves with a penalty, official government advice is clear. GOV.UK recommends the following steps:
- Check the issuer: Examine the ticket to identify who issued it.
- Contact them first: Get in touch with the issuer directly to find out how to challenge the ticket.
- Use the appeals service: If your initial challenge is rejected, you can appeal to an independent appeals service.
- Verify membership: Check if the parking operator is a member of an accredited trade association by looking at the ticket or their website.
The surge in tickets has sparked renewed calls for tighter regulation of the private parking sector, with millions of drivers now directly affected by the escalating trend.
