Police launch campaign to tackle bad parking
WEST Midlands Police have launched a campaign to tackle dangerous parking across the region.
Members of the public have been airing their frustrations about dangerous parking prompting officers to crack down on inconsiderate drivers.
Officers have warned that vehicles may be removed if the driver cannot be traced and they may face paying a recovery fee as well as a fine.
A total of 86 people were prosecuted as the campaign launched and one car was towed away for causing a hazard at a junction.
Police have confirmed that operations will be carried out locally across the whole of the West Midlands by neighbourhood police teams.
In October officers in Birmingham found a car parked on a pavement beneath a bus shelter and fined the driver.
PC Mark Hodson said: “We’re hearing from parents with pushchairs and people who rely on mobility scooters to get around who are being forced into the road because cars are parked on pavements.
“And we often see cars pretty much dumped at junctions that obstruct other drivers’ views and increase the chances of collisions occurring.
“This kind of behaviour isn’t just a nuisance - it can have fatal consequences and we’re determined to show motorists that it’s not acceptable.
“This operation is in direct response to members of the public who are fed up with selfish drivers, those who want to save time or money and park hazardously, and have contacted their local authority or police team.”
By law it is an offence to leave a vehicle or trailer on a road in a position that causes a danger to other road users – including parking wholly on footpaths.
Offenders face penalty points on their license and fines of up to £1,000.
PC Hodson added: “People can park partially on pavements but not wholly as that would constitute an offence of driving on a footpath. The rule of thumb is that if a double buggy or wheelchair cannot pass with ease then that constitutes an offence. And when we find vehicles in a dangerous position and cannot trace the driver, we will remove the vehicle and the owner will be liable to pay for the recovery in addition to a fine.
“We plan to train up neighbourhood police teams across the West Midlands so they can run dangerous parking operations themselves locally; these offences can be detected, evidenced and prosecuted in just 30 minutes in the street.
“PCSOs will also be educating motorists and handing out warning leaflets in addition to the enforcement activity. We just want people to change their habits, park sensibly and by doing so cut the number of serious collisions on our roads.”