POPLA 2018 Annual Report

abedegno

Looks like the 2018 POPLA annual report is out:
https://popla.co.uk/docs/default-source/default-document-library/popla-annual-report-2018.pdf?sfvrsn=0

System

FOI the DfT then and see what it says.

LoneStarState

The "Confusion over Grace Periods" section is a load of twaddle.

It states that there aren't two periods associated with the parking period before and after and that there is only a minimum 10 minute grace period at the end of the period, but then goes on to admit a contract usually isn't entered into at the point of entry to a car park (conveniently where ALL ANPR cameras are and sometimes even before entry points to the land, and of course because a vehicle has not even parked at that point).

Guys_Dad

Some good stuff here. Particularly

Page 6&7 "Simple keying errors". Worth bookmarking!!

Bye Laws - changes to POPLA jurisdiction and rules for PPCs. Changes previous advice on here. Byelaws timescales for NtKs now in line with POPLA-covered land.

POPLA now uses term "PENALTY NOTICES" for Byelaw land and defines the contents - and equally important, what words it should not contain (Beavis, PCN, POFA etc)

And at the end of report, a nice little table highlighting motorists chances of PCN being withdrawn or motorist winning on appeal plus how many PCNs per PPC were appealed.

Guys_Dad

LoneStarState wrote: »

The "Confusion over Grace Periods" section is a load of twaddle.

It states that there aren't two periods associated with the parking period before and after and that there is only a minimum 10 minute grace period at the end of the period, but then goes on to admit a contract usually isn't entered into at the point of entry to a car park (conveniently where ALL ANPR cameras are and sometimes even before entry points to the land, and of course because a vehicle has not even parked at that point).

The "bit of twaddle" in RED is actually another nugget for us and well worth quoting.

abedegno

IamEmanresu wrote: »

FOI the DfT then and see what it says.

Done
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/correspondence_with_the_popla_pa

LoneStarState

Guys_Dad wrote: »

The "bit of twaddle" in RED is actually another nugget for us and well worth quoting.

Hi GD

Agreed. I meant to use twaddle in the sense that the Grace Periods section so openly contradicts itself that for POPLA and the BPA it is meaningless and actually further confuses the issue BUT does throw in the little nugget I mentioned. That particular nugget is given below:

"Although the Code of Practice explained that this period was for motorists to review the terms and conditions and decide whether to stay or go, the reference to grace periods caused confusion for motorists. Many believed they would get a ten minute grace period before parking commenced, plus a ten minute grace period after their parking time had finished - a total of 20 minutes. We received appeals from motorists who believed they didn't need to pay parking charges because they'd overstayed for less than 20 minutes.

The British Parking Association has now updated its code of Practice to remove the reference to a grace period from 13.2. However, we should be clear that a motorist doesn't automatically enter a parking contract as soon as they enter a car park.

There is a need for a consideration period before a parking period starts. It is difficult for a motorist to understand the parking conditions without leaving their vehicle: making it necessary to allow time where a motorist can get out of their vehicle, consider the terms and conditions, and decide whether to stay or go. For example, it would be reasonable for a motorist to park their vehicle, walk to the payment machine, disagree with the terms and conditions of parking, and leave the car park within a couple of minutes. Other motorists, for example those with restricted mobility, might take several minutes to get out of their vehicle, several minutes to get to the machine, and several minutes to leave"

Basically they've now added the phrase "consideration period" in addition to grace period and observation period. Maybe another article by John Gallagher is needed to explain all these different periods.

Conveniently, there is no mention or reference to free stay car parks.

Castle

LoneStarState wrote: »

There is a need for a consideration period before a parking period starts. It is difficult for a motorist to understand the parking conditions without leaving their vehicle: making it necessary to allow time where a motorist can get out of their vehicle, consider the terms and conditions, and decide whether to stay or go. For example, it would be reasonable for a motorist to park their vehicle, walk to the payment machine, disagree with the terms and conditions of parking, and leave the car park within a couple of minutes. Other motorists, for example those with restricted mobility, might take several minutes to get out of their vehicle, several minutes to get to the machine, and several minutes to leave"

Basically they've now added the phrase "consideration period" in addition to grace period and observation period. Maybe another article by John Gallagher is needed to explain all these different periods.

Conveniently, there is no mention or reference to free stay car parks.

The problem POPLA will create with a "consideration period" is that it only starts after the vehicle has parked.

So what do POPLA call the "finding a spot" period?