Warden shares parking ticket tips and warns against 'outdoing the system'

20 August 2023 , 02:50

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A traffic warden has shared their tips for avoiding a parking ticket (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A former traffic warden has shared one way you could get out of a ticket but warns you to not try and game the system.

Michael Towey, 62, worked as a traffic warden for 25 years and has said if you get stuck with a ticket the best thing to do is just "take it on the head". However, he did say if believe you shouldn't have got it then to appeal to your council.

One way he said you could get out of a ticket is if you are able to prove it was wrongly issued or there was an emergency. Mr Towey also said to never park on double yellow lines no matter how tempting and even if it's going to be for a minute.

Speaking to the MailOnline, Mr Towey warned: "Don't try and outdo the system, if it's genuine, then the board will see it." The former parking warden also cleared up the confusion between private traffic wardens and those who work for a local authority.

He said: "Private companies do not have the legal authority to issue fines. What they issue are charges for breaking their parking conditions. So, their ability to enforce payment is generally limited to civil action in the County Court."

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When it comes to the most common mistakes motorists make, Mr Towey says misreading the signs - especially on Sundays - is the biggest one. If there's anything Mr Towey wants the public to know, it's that traffic wardens are humans too and are in a thankless role.

He added: "If emergency services couldn't access a specific area because of a car parked illegally, someone's life could be at risk. I only ticketed cars that I thought took the mick out of the system.

"One time a lady was struggling with her children getting into the car she was about 15 mins over the time, and I just turned a blind eye."

Alahna Kindred