18 September 2023 , 12:44
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The dreaded sight of a ticket on the windscreen is one of the most frustrating experiences for motorists, especially when it feels unjust - but there is something that can be done.
Many motorists fail to appeal fines due to the inconvenience or the belief that it will get rejected. According to the RAC Foundation, 1.95 million motorists were issued a fine in the first three months of the 2021/22 financial year, leaving drivers severely out of pocket.
However, there is something that can be done about the infuriating penalty. New data has revealed that it is worth contesting parking fines after it was found that a significant number of penalties were cancelled after drivers challenged them across Birmingham.
However, a freedom of information request submitted to Black Country Councils has shown the extent of drivers who have won after contesting the fines, reports Birmingham Live.
In Sandwell, an impressive 4,280 appeals out of 6,181 lodged since the start of 2021 were successful. This means the fines were annulled and drivers were spared from paying. This equals to a success rate of 69% - over two-thirds of the total appeals. Meanwhile, in Walsall, 2,599 appeals out of 5,768 were successful (45%), and in Dudley, it was 1,787 out of 4,128 (43%). These figures underscore how consistently high the success rates of appeals are. It also doesn't take into account those motorists who decide not to challenge fines. Motoring experts say it's always worth appealing if people believe they have been hard done by.
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Below we have listed some tips to avoid the fines
- When you park your vehicle, always look for signage of terms and conditions.
- Ensure your vehicle is parked within the bays.
- Do not park in disabled bays without a blue badge.
- Write down the time you are allowed to park, when you parked, and whether you have to pay to use the car park
* This article was crafted with the help of an AI tool, which speeds up The Mirror's editorial research. An editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to [email protected]