Smart Parking charge. ANPR Camera shows that I overstayed by 9 SECONDS!

The_Slithy_Tove

joey9020 wrote: »

Unfortunately I don't have the ticket in my possession anymore, didn't think there was any point in holding onto it. I guess the onus is probably on them though to provide evidence that I did incorrectly input VRN, or chose less than 1 hr duration...

If you get to the point of having to submit a SAR to Smart to get all the data they have on you, you'll need to ensure that includes the logs from the ticket machine for the day in question that includes your ticket. It'll either show an entry for that VRN, or they'll say there is no record of the VRN in question. The latter would imply an incorrectly entered VRN.

Redx

Sadly you have failed to follow good MSE advice from a few years ago

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/team-blog/2017/05/throwing-pay-display-ticket-away-use-cost-100/

I agree with slithy tove above that it could well be incorrect VRM entry , a common problem that a SAR to the DPO at Smart would flush out , so be sure of your facts before complaining officially , another month won't cause any issues whilst awaiting a SAR reply from Smart

Keep paid for tickets for several months in future

joey9020

The_Slithy_Tove wrote: »

If you get to the point of having to submit a SAR to Smart to get all the data they have on you, you'll need to ensure that includes the logs from the ticket machine for the day in question that includes your ticket. It'll either show an entry for that VRN, or they'll say there is no record of the VRN in question. The latter would imply an incorrectly entered VRN.

I would be surprised if I had entered in the wrong reg, but stranger things have happened I guess. Their gripe, according to the letter i've received, is 'insufficient paid time' - staying longer than what I paid for. As opposed to incorrectly submitting VRN details. We will see...

joey9020

I agree with slithy tove above that it could well be incorrect VRM entry , a common problem that a SAR to the DPO at Smart would flush out , so be sure of your facts before complaining officially , another month won't cause any issues whilst awaiting a SAR reply from Smart

So I should avoid complaining on this - let sleeping dogs lie? I haven't heard anything back from Smart Parking since I submitted my appeal on Friday, so perhaps i'll wait to see what their stance is before taking it further.

Not feeling as confident as I was after the first couple of messages! If VRN was inputted correctly, I'm covered - if VRN was inputted incorrectly, I may be liable?

Will take on board advice re holding onto tickets, first time i've encountered anything like this (luckily)

Redx

Wait for an answer to your appeal

Assume they speak with forked tongue and it's incorrect VRM entry and not what you thought , because it makes more sense to the regulars here

It's so common there is a popla report about it and guidance on not issuing tickets for minor keying errors , it's de minimis and frustration of contract in court , look it up

A SAR will flush out the truth about which issue it was , as would checking your ticket (if you had it to hand)

Any complaints should be done when the true facts are known , instead of a wild goose chase about incorrect issues due to assumptions

Few people on here believe it's about 9 seconds

1505grandad

Re simple keying errors (page 6):-

https://popla.co.uk/docs/default-source/default-document-library/popla-annual-report-2018.pdf?sfvrsn=0

joey9020

Ok thanks for the advice.

I expect they'll probably reject my appeal, at which point I will request an SAR so that I can get to the bottom of it. Once I have a clearer picture I will then take it up with POPLA.

Cheers

The_Slithy_Tove

joey9020 wrote: »

I would be surprised if I had entered in the wrong reg, but stranger things have happened I guess. Their gripe, according to the letter i've received, is 'insufficient paid time' - staying longer than what I paid for. As opposed to incorrectly submitting VRN details.

Some of the keypads on the machines can be a bit temperamental, so it's easy for it not to register one of the characters of the VRM.

Insufficient paid time: They expect 1 (or more) hour's worth. You paid zero (for that VRM). Hence insufficient.
There can't be a contravention of "incorrectly entered VRM" if you think about it. How would they know for sure? All they'd have is one or more payments against vehicles that somehow evaded their ANPR, and another set of one or more vehicles for which no payment was made. Tallying the 2 together isn't necessarily simple (and certainly beyond the wit or desire of any PPC who just see revenue from such errors).

joey9020

The_Slithy_Tove wrote: »

Some of the keypads on the machines can be a bit temperamental, so it's easy for it not to register one of the characters of the VRM.

Insufficient paid time: They expect 1 (or more) hour's worth. You paid zero (for that VRM). Hence insufficient.
There can't be a contravention of "incorrectly entered VRM" if you think about it. How would they know for sure? All they'd have is one or more payments against vehicles that somehow evaded their ANPR, and another set of one or more vehicles for which no payment was made. Tallying the 2 together isn't necessarily simple (and certainly beyond the wit or desire of any PPC who just see revenue from such errors).

Yes I see what you mean. From what I understand, I should still have a case even if I did incorrectly input part of my vehicle reg, but sounds like it's much more of an open & shut case if it's based on exceeding time - let's hope it's the latter...

Umkomaas

The bottom line for you @joey, is that this is unlikely to go any further than a few silly letters from DRP. Not much to concern yourself about.