The areas you’re most likely to be slapped with a parking fine in the UK – and the most common offences
Freedom of Information data uncovered the regions with the highest number of parking fines issued over the past two years
THE regions where you're most likely to be hit with a parking fine have been revealed.
And parking in a restricted street was the most common violation drivers made across the country, a new study has found.
Freedom of Information data obtained by Warranty Direct revealed Barnet had the highest number of parking fines in the UK, with 573,393 offences between 2016 and 2018.
Drivers coughed up almost £48million in penalty notices over the two year period, with most offenders caught violating 'no waiting' restrictions.
Parking officers in Hammersmith and Fulham also had their hands full, with more than 500,000 tickets issued to drivers.
Unsurprisingly, eight of the top ten worst regions for parking violations fell within the Greater London area.
How to contest a parking ticket
- Wait: Don't pay your parking ticket immediately if you want to appeal the charge - make sure you know how long you have to challenge the ticket, usually this won't be more than 28 days.
- Make an initial appeal: Contact the ticket issuer by phone, post or email and explain why you are refusing to pay. Include supporting evidence like photos, or evidence of a valid ticket.
- Formal letter: Write a further formal appeal letter if your ticket issuer has a complaints procedure in place. Some ticket issuers belong to independent appeal schemes which provide a free and impartial service.
- Are they accreddited?: If your ticket is issued by a private company, they must be part of an accredited trade association for it to be enforcebable. Check with the British Parking Association to see if they have legal right to issue a ticket.
- Can I refuse?: If your appeal is rejected, you will need to pay your parking ticket. You could be hit with further costs if you don’t.
Drivers in Camden and Haringey were also hit with a large amount of fines, both recording over 400,000 offences.
Outside of the capital, Bristol officers caught 198,159 drivers flouting parking restrictions.
Parking on a restricted street was the most common offence for drivers across the UK, closely followed by failing to display a valid ticket or permit.
Simon Ackers, CEO at Warranty Direct, said: "It’s no surprise many London Boroughs are among the worst offenders, as parking in London is notoriously tricky.
"However, it’s interesting to see recent changes made to parking restrictions in both Bristol and Medway have had such a significant impact on the number of fines, in a short timeframe.
"It’s also surprising to find out such a low percentage of fines end up being paid.
"Perhaps when some of the original penalties are reviewed, they are considered too strict for the circumstances, as many motorists contesting them are winning their appeals."