Veronica Goddard

………………a story in the Telegraph tells of the massive increases in the revenue from speeding fines.
‘Revenue from speeding tickets has quadrupled over a decade, coinciding with increases in the value of fines, the number of cameras and the number of tickets issued.  Home Office figures reveal that 1.8 million tickets are being issued each year, compared to only 713,000 issued in 1997.  £104.6 million was collected in revenue in 2006 compared to £28.5 million a decade earlier.’

Also the fines from illegal parking are swelling the coffers of local government. I parked in Derby the other day and didn’t see the parking meter because it was painted black and set against a dark background. Of course, I got back to my car after 20 minutes and had a PCN stuck to my windscreen. I dutifully paid my fine; I didn’t really have a leg to stand on, but I have sent a letter to Derby City Council  suggesting that had the parking meter been painted black and yellow, I would have noticed it and paid to park. A cynic might believe that it was intentionally placed in a difficult to see position…… what do you think?

I have never before had a PCN  - I clearly see the sense in paying £1 as opposed to £50 (or £25 if paid within 14 days)I just wish I could have clearly seen the meter.