Wilson Parking has begun enforcing a new tow away policy in Canberra aimed at repeat parking offenders, which it says are the worst in the country.
As of Monday, Wilson may now tow vehicles with more than 10 breach notices that remain unpaid for more than three months. Towing will only occur after a vehicle has received two separate warning stickers and is subsequently found to be parked illegitimately.
Wilson Parking said in a statement that it had met with the ACT Government, police and other agencies to discuss the policy, which will initially be enforced at three selected sites.
Wilson Parking CEO Steve Evans said the ACT had the highest number of outstanding parking breaches in Australia, with 31,507 breach notices outstanding for more than 90 days.
“In the ACT, a single driver has accumulated 327 breach notices which have gone unpaid for more than 90 days. That amounts to over $21,000 in unpaid fees and is the worst example of deliberate, repeat parking violation in Australia,” he said.
“Across Australia, seven vehicles have between 201 to 299 breaches outstanding, 19 have 101 to 200, and 70 have 51 to 100.”
“These are not one-off instances and they create an environment whereby those who do the right thing may end up paying more. At one particular site we have been forced to adjust certain rates to compensate for parking bays occupied by non-paying drivers.”
Mr Evans said towing was a last resort and the policy still gave drivers enough chance to settle outstanding breach notices, and ensured drivers were issued with multiple warnings.
“We’re not shying away from this move because it’s about ensuring people who do the right thing aren’t paying more because of people who don’t,” he said.
He said clearly visible warning signs had been installed at entrances to the three selected sites in the ACT.
Contact details for towing contractors will be displayed at the selected carparks.
Wilson said it was using towing instead of wheel clamping because it made the parking space available.
Drivers can retrieve their vehicle by contacting the towing contractor, paying a fee set by the contractor, and settling at least one outstanding breach notice.
The towing contractor will not attempt to recover the costs of the remaining outstanding breach notices.
Drivers who receive subsequent breach notices after their vehicle has been towed and retrieved will be towed again until outstanding breaches have been paid.
Motorists may appeal in writing via Parking Enforcement Services’ website or via mail as displayed on the rear of the parking breach notice.
Drivers must still pay the towing contractor for the release of their vehicle. If investigations reveal an error on Parking Enforcement Services’ behalf any fees paid will be refunded in
full.
Do you think this policy is fair?
Loading ...
