PARKING POLICY IN THE 21ST CENTURY - THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

This article examines the background to decriminalisation of parking regulation enforcement in the UK, and considers some of the practical and legal implications facing local authorities. The Road Traffic Act 1991 aims to transfer the responsibility for such enforcement from the police to local authorities. This would relieve its burden on police forces, and empower local authorities to devise workable integrated parking policies. With decriminalisation, parking attendants issue parking tickets, known as Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), on vehicles breaking parking regulations. The PCNs become civil debts payable to the local authority. Drivers contesting PCNs can approach the local authority and, if necessary, appeal to an independent adjudicator. Endorsable parking offences, mainly those that are more dangerous and obstructive, remain criminal offences, which only the police can handle. Police also continue to be responsible for enforcement outside decriminalised areas. After considering the basic elements of decriminalisation, the article discusses several aspects of its implementation, workable parking policies, and legalities. Local authorities need to plan their parking regimes sensibly and practically. They also need to be aware of relevant road traffic legislation, especially about issuing PCNs.