Which motoring organisations could oppose the Protection of Freedoms Bill?
You write, “The British Parking Association in 2011 is lobbying Parliament to make vehicle keepers liable for private parking penalties in the same way they can be held liable for road traffic offences and street parking offences if they do not identify the driver of the car at the time of the offence.” Is there any motoring organisation that can oppose this?
Asked on 5 March 2011 by SM, via email
Answered by
Honest John
The Association of British Drivers (www.abd.org.uk) might offer some constructive opposition to the misleadingly named ‘Protection of Freedoms Bill.’ The ABD tries very hard but is often dismissed as a bunch of fanatics and speed freaks (which it is not). Neil Gregg at The Institute of Advanced Motorists may also want to get involved (www.abd.org.uk).
Our legal adviser had a very good idea about this: “The only way to deal with the private parking companies is to make them pay £10 (rather than £2.50) for each access to the DVLA vehicle register and use the revenue raised to pay for an independent but legally-binding appeals process along the lines of PATAS whereby the frivolous challenger also gets hit for a much higher fee if they lose. Standard parking charge to parking company of £40. Free right of innocent to challenge but with £140 payable if tribunal finds it is a frivolous challenge divided £90 to parking company/landowner and £50 tribunal costs. Entire process needs to be on paper - ie no hearing and any appeal against tribunal finding needs to be cost-prohibitive - around £300.”
Our legal adviser had a very good idea about this: “The only way to deal with the private parking companies is to make them pay £10 (rather than £2.50) for each access to the DVLA vehicle register and use the revenue raised to pay for an independent but legally-binding appeals process along the lines of PATAS whereby the frivolous challenger also gets hit for a much higher fee if they lose. Standard parking charge to parking company of £40. Free right of innocent to challenge but with £140 payable if tribunal finds it is a frivolous challenge divided £90 to parking company/landowner and £50 tribunal costs. Entire process needs to be on paper - ie no hearing and any appeal against tribunal finding needs to be cost-prohibitive - around £300.”
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