One in five motorists fined, clamped or towed due to confusing parking signs

• A third of drivers avoid parking in their local town or city centre because parking restrictions are unclear
• 41 per cent say they find the parking signs in their local area confusing
   

Over a fifth (22 per cent) of regular drivers has been fined or had their vehicle clamped or towed in the past two years because they were unable to understand the parking restrictions in that area, according to new research from Churchill Car Insurance1.  The cost of such penalties varies significantly, but can range from £60 for a parking fine to thousands of pounds to recover an impounded vehicle.

In addition to costing drivers significant sums of money, the research also suggests that confusing parking restrictions may be deterring people from visiting their local town or city centre, with a third (33 per cent) of those questioned admitting they avoid parking in their local town or city centre for this very reason. Almost one in 10 (nine per cent) drivers avoids street parking in their own residential area because the parking restrictions are too confusing. 

Almost half (48 per cent) of all motorists in the capital admit they avoid parking in the city centre – significantly more than any other region in the UK. The North West (35 per cent) and East of England (34 per cent) complete the top three.

Regions msot likely to avoid parking in their local town centre:

Source: Churchill Car Insurance

The study also found that 41 per cent of motorists thought parking signs in their local area were confusing. Over a quarter of drivers (28 per cent) say some areas near their home have multiple restrictions in place on the same street.  Almost a third (32 per cent) feels that some signs in their local authority do not clearly indicate which area they refer to.

Steve Barrett, head of Churchill Car Insurance, said: “It’s the driver’s responsibility to check which parking restrictions are in operation in a particular area.  However, when there are multiple restrictions in operation on a single street, it can result in motorists being confused and unintentionally parking illegally, incurring fines that could have been avoided.

“The best advice is to be as vigilant for signs as possible and never assume if you’re unsure. If drivers are still unsure, they should avoid parking in the area and report the sign to the local council.  If you do receive a ticket or penalty you think is unfair, take photographs of where your car is parked and of the parking signs in the vicinity to help build your case for appeal.”

According to the study, a fifth (19 per cent) of motorists have received a parking fine in the past two years as a result of not understanding the parking restrictions in that area. Five per cent have been clamped and four per cent have had their vehicle towed over the same period, as a result of parking sign confusion.

Parking in the capital

The figures uncovered in Churchill’s research were significantly higher for motorists living in London, with 61 per cent having been fined, clamed or had their vehicle towed in the past two years due to parking sign confusion. Sixty-three per cent of drivers in the capital say they find the parking signs confusing, while 48 per cent say they avoid parking in the city centre for this very reason. When asked about confusing signs they had encountered, 45 per cent had seen signs they felt did not clearly indicate which area they related to and 47 per cent had seen streets that had multiple parking restrictions in operation.

Notes to editors:

Research carried out for Churchill by Opinium Research, 11th – 14thApril 2014 amongst 2001 UK adults.

For further information:

Katie Pugh

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Tel: 0207 282 2914

Email: Katie.Pugh@citigatedr.co.uk

Churchill

Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.

Churchill general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Churchill and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Churchill products or get a quote by calling 0800 200300 or visiting www.churchill.com