Motoring News - Don't Shoot the Messenger

Motoring News - Don't Shoot the Messenger

Universally loathed, traffic wardens have always faced abuse during their working day. Recent research suggests that the management of the employing companies and councils have much to answer to and the parking attendants on your street are being exploited as much as the recipients of the millions of parking tickets issued each year.

With a typical pay rate of £5.50 an hour and a two-week training programme which fails to teach staff "when not to issue penalties”, it is not surprising mistakes are frequent and even routine.

In many instances, office staff failed to respond properly to complaints and appeals from motorists. Letters were "very poorly drafted" and contained "undue bluntness, clumsy and legally inaccurate phraseology and inadequate proof-reading".

Of even more concern is the fact that many companies were also ignoring industry guidelines discouraging them from setting targets for the number of tickets their parking attendants issue. This practice has been widely discredited because of evidence that wardens break the rules to meet their targets, such as by failing to allow drivers the usual observation period before issuing a ticket. One warden based in Westminster issued 1,444 tickets in a month after his employer, NCP, offered a Vauxhall Corsa worth £12,000 to the warden who imposed the most fines.

Learn the rules, regulations and how to appeal against your parking ticket:

http://www.parkingticket.co.uk
http://www.ticketbusters.co.uk
http://www.parking-appeals.gov.uk

Read the Label

In other news, all new cars are now required to clearly display their carbon dioxide emission level both on the forecourt and in showrooms, and the first colour-coded labels denoting emissions have begun to be displayed on new cars. The nationwide scheme will be mandatory from September but 24 participating dealerships in the Guildford area are piloting the labels. Besides giving carbon dioxide ratings, the labels also show estimated annual running costs, based on tax bandings and average fuel consumption. It is hoped that they will enable consumers to make comparisons between models more easily and may reinforce the current trend towards greener motoring.

Company Information

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