A TRAFFIC warden has revealed the “10-minute rule” that could save you from hefty parking fines.
The official also busted some common myths about their work policing misbehaving motorists.
Speaking to MailOnline, Stacey, who guards the parking bays of Canning Town, East London, explained how drivers can avoid being hit with costly penalties.
The 33-year-old said: “We want to avoid conflict situations that are more likely when people see you putting a ticket on a car.
“Yes, I issue tickets, but my task is also to help motorists.
“It is not fair for those that do pay for their parking, or who have a disability and need a particular space to find their bay is stolen.”
Stacey’s trusty sidekick comes in the form of the smartphone she uses to issue fixed penalty notices.
As she pounds out her 12-mile route, she enters motors’ details into a programme which will then tell her if the driver has paid, including via an app like RingGo or JustPark.
If no payment is found, she then takes a photo of the number plate to begin the process of issuing a fine.
However, what many motorists might not realise is that the penalty is not generated straight away.
Stacey revealed that when she snaps a picture, this triggers a 10-minute timer as a “grace period”.
From then, motorists have a small window to make it back to their vehicles and drive off free from any charge.
This was brought in under the new Code of Practice, implemented this year by two of the biggest parking regulators in the UK.
The International Parking Community and British Parking Association also joined forces to bring in a simpler and more effective appeals process.
However, Stacey was also happy to bust some common myths about her much-maligned profession.
First of all, she explained that the term “traffic warden” was actually put out to pasture around a decade ago.
Stacey, and those like her, are actually “parking enforcement officers” and many are employed by private firms rather than local councils.
She also dispelled the notion that officers are incentivised to give out tickets with bonuses.
She said: “The idea we get commission every time we issue a fine is a myth.”
Instead, Stacey earns just £12 per hour working 6am to 2pm and usually hands out around 20 notices a day.
It comes after one driver was left facing a £10,000 bill after refusing to pay a parking fine issued in the wrong language.
