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Why can't I contact a car's owner to tell him his car has been damaged?

Two cars had had a collision outside my home. I got their numbers. Unfortunately, an unattended parked car also had its near-side front wing damaged in the collision. I attached a note to its windscreen inviting the driver to contact me. This was torn off by an unknown person, as was a second note. The DVLA refused to help although I asked them to pass my info to the driver of the parked car. The police have also said they cannot help, but I cannot think why this should be the case. I see no good reason that this driver should be penalised when he was clearly innocent, but I cannot think of anything I can do that I have not already tried. Any thoughts?

Asked on 24 March 2012 by FA, via email

Answered by Honest John
No. That is the stupidity of the way the Data Protection Act is applied. If a parking enforcement company wants to penalise the keeper of a car, there is an exemption that allows them to buy his details online from the DVLA. But if a good Samaritan like you wants to help someone out, you can't.
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