LV = Reveals Drivers Lost £58.5 Million From 'Unfair' Parking Tickets

Released on: March 18, 2011, 09:20 am
Author: LV=
Industry: Financial

LV=, the car insurer, has revealed that drivers lost £58.5m last year by failing to appeal against parking tickets issued in 'unfair' circumstances.

In 2010, one in twenty (5%) motorists in the UK received a parking ticket where they had grounds to appeal. Despite this, only one in five (22%) drivers bother to contest a ticket once issued; but of those who do, nearly nine in ten (88%) claimants are successful.

When questioned, over half of UK drivers (53%) who do pay when issued with a ticket in unfair circumstances do so because they assume they will not win an appeal. Many drivers say they are confused about the procedure for appeals, with one in twelve (8%) not knowing how to initiate a claim.

The majority of 'unfair' parking fines are issued in areas where parking signage is unclear. Other reasons include misleading road markings, being issued with a fine while walking to a machine to buy a parking ticket and being fined when the car was broken down. A small but significant number of drivers report parking attendants actually fabricating evidence to support issuing the ticket (2%).

Most (49%) of tickets issued unfairly are given out on public roads but surprisingly one in ten (10%) are received in car parks of public buildings managed by local authorities, such as libraries, hospitals and GP surgeries. A similar number (9%) are given out in commercially operated car parks.

The cost of a parking fine varies widely across the UK but the research found that the average cost paid by motorists given a ticket in unfair circumstances is £42. The majority of this money is pocketed by local authorities, who issue nearly three quarters (74%) of tickets in unfair circumstances. London councils make the most money per parking penalty issued, with Camden, the neighbourhood of celebrities such as Amy Winehouse and Kate Moss generating an average of £78 per ticket. Outside of the capital, Poole Council pockets nearly £30 per ticket, while Tendring Council in Essex makes just £16 per ticket and South Gloucestershire takes the least money at just £10 per ticket issued.

John O'Roarke, managing director of LV= car insurance, said: "It's shocking to see motorists paying out millions every year in unfair parking tickets, particularly at a time when soaring fuel costs are already putting a huge strain on drivers. It is vital that the appeals process is communicated clearly in all tickets, penalty notices and subsequent documentation to ensure drivers are aware of their right to contest a fine they feel is unjustified. Although the appeals process may sometimes seem time consuming, motorists should be encouraged by the fact that the vast majority of appeals are successful, and we'd urge them to take action against any unwarranted fines."

About Liverpool Victoria:
All research unless otherwise specified was conducted by ICM. ICM interviewed a random sample of 2,003 adults in Great Britain aged 18+ from its online panel between 25 and 27 February 2011. 1,728 of those surveyed were drivers. Surveys were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

LV= is a registered trademark of Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society Limited (LVFS) and a trading style of the Liverpool Victoria group of companies.

As the UK's largest friendly society LV= is here to help customers make the best choices when it comes to their money. The company offers a range of car insurance, home insurance and travel insurance products that are both good value and award-winning.

PR Contact:
Sally Silver
LV=
County Gates
Bournemouth
BH1 2NF
0208 256 6896
www.lv.com

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