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Why has Parking Eye fined me for using a motorway services to sleep?
Whilst driving after a hard days work, I started to feel drowsy and decided to pull into the nearest service station, Welcome Break Gordano, at around nine o'clock at night on 24 May 2013. I decided to have a shower and a bite to eat. Returning to my car, I took a nap. On waking, I carried on with my journey. A few days later I received a Parking Charge Notice from Parking Eye stating that I had overstayed my entitlement by four hours. The charge due is £100 but only £60 if paid within 14 days. Should I pay a gratia payment of £10 instead of the £100? Seeing the signs on the motorway warning drivers that 'Tiredness Can Kill', what should I do?
Asked on 3 August 2013 by SE, Bristol
Answered by
Honest John
This is now covered by new law here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/private-parking-penalties/. But I think you should refuse to pay altogether because I do not believe they will ever pursue you though a court for effectively following Government instructions and taking a rest in a motorway rest area. The Government cannot allow its motorway services franchise to fine you for doing what it instructed you to do.
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