Simple online tool could help drivers save millions of pounds in parking fines
Motorists are being urged to try a nifty online tool that could help them avoid costly penalties.
Parking fines are on the rise, with over 16 million Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued to UK drivers since 2022, addng up to one in eight drivers, on average, receiving a PCN in 2023 alone. In Scotland, 323,206 PCN's have been issued in 2024 so far and of these, 22,411 were appealed or contested but only 8,355 were upheld.
Research found that a third of those who have appealed a parking ticket did so because they found the parking sign unclear. With the average fine being £47, these confusing signs could mean drivers are collectively paying out millions, according to Confused.com.
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To help drivers avoid unnecessary fines, Confused.com has launched a parking sign translator, making it easier than ever to decode tricky signs. Motorists simply have to upload an image, and the tool provides a clear summary of when you can or can’t park.
Research found that 16 percent of all fines were in the months of November and December which are peak times of year for shopping and spending time out with family and friends. And when confusion can lead to expensive parking tickets, drivers will want to do all they can to avoid additional spending.
Unclear parking signs seem to be an issue that’s impacting all drivers, not just those who have actually received parking tickets. More than four in five (81 percent) say they find parking signs confusing.
Nearly half (47 percent) also said that if they don’t understand a parking sign, they will go and find alternative places to park. And more than three in five (63 percent) agree that signs should be made clearer to avoid confusion.
Rhydian Jones, car insurance expert at Confused.com, said: "Just like many of our motoring bills, the cost of penalty charge notices (PCNs) is an extra strain on the pockets of drivers. Our research found that three in five (63 percent) drivers think parking signs should be made clearer to avoid confusion.
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“If you’re unsure whether you can park in a space or not, don’t take the risk. You should consider parking elsewhere to avoid the risk of getting a fine, even if it’s only for a few minutes. And if you do receive a PCN fine, you might be able to challenge the decision if you think it was unfair.
"The process may vary depending on your local authority, so it's important to check this before doing so.
“But before you next park at a confusing parking sign, consider using our parking signs translator if you’re unsure of the rules. All you need to do is upload an image of the parking sign and our generator will tell you the simple rules for that space. It’s a simple yet effective way to have a clearer understanding of the rules to avoid confusion.”
You can try Confused.com's online parking translator tool here.
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