Signs of confusion: Moves to end perplexing parking signs
New figures show 81% of motorists find parking signs confusing, as ITV News' Consumer Editor Chris Choi reports
New figures have revealed many motorists are confused by parking signs - often ending up with drivers facing fines.
Data given to ITV News shows 81% of drivers believe parking signs are confusing - with 30% of motorists who appeal fines citing signage as a problem.
The new figures were compiled for Confused.com through research involving thousands of motorists.
In Surrey, we spoke to a plumber, Perry Rand, who parked his van at a local supermarket for around five minutes - and got a £100 fine.
The parking sign said “no commercial vehicles”, but it had bits of the wording missing.
He told ITV News: “I’ve never heard of going to the shop and not being able to park a van. You can see that they put a sticker over a previous point on the sign.”
The parking sector has just implemented a new code setting fresh standards for signs.
ITV News spoke to one of the sectors’ leading spokesman, Will Hurley of the International Parking Community.
He said: “There is no benefit to misleading signs. Ultimately, as an industry we want to make parking forgettable... you must meet a certain criteria which deals with their content, how clear they are.”
The new rules affect all new signs and mandate changes to existing ones.
Around a fifth of parking fines are dished out around Christmas, and, for many who get one, unclear signage is a problem that has itself been parked far too long.
What advice is there for drivers who are confused by parking signs?
The British Parking Association (BPA), which represents the UK’s parking sector, told ITV News that drivers faced with confusing parking signs should find answers to these questions:
What sort of car park am I entering? For example, is parking invited? Am I expected to pay?
What do I need to do in order to follow the rules at the location? How do I pay? Do I need to display anything in my car?
What happens if I don’t do what is required of me? Is there the potential issue of a Parking Charge or Penalty Charge Notice?
What can people do if they come across a confusing sign?
The BPA said they welcome any feedback and suggestions on signs.
For specific signage concerns, they said motorists should write to the BPA and share examples of signs that breach the Single Code of Practice requirements, or where suggestions for improvements can be made.
What is being done to make signs clear?
The Single Sector Code of Practice has been in place since the start October, and places a number of new requirements on private parking operators with regard to their signs.
The new Code tightens the obligations on private parking operators, ensuring signs at the entrance and within the carpark are clearly visible and have all the information drivers need.
Signs must also include information about the parking operator, tariff and charge that may apply if drivers breach the terms and conditions.
For advice on parking signs near you, please visit the parking sign translator.
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