Drivers warned over breaking two minute rule that could lead to £100 fine

Motorists who overstay parking duration limits in the UK, even briefly, may be slapped with hefty penalties. One driver, after parking momentarily outside a clothing shop to visit another

store, was hit with fines for violating the area's no-parking zone policy. In an open letter published by the Guardian, the aggrieved Birmingham driver recounted: "In February, I

parked briefly outside a clothing store to visit a nearby shop. As soon as I entered, the shopkeeper informed me that parking was not allowed in that area." They continued, detailing

their short stop: "I immediately returned to my vehicle and left. The total duration of my stop, according to the parking charge notices (PCNs) I received the following week from Euro

Parking Services (EPS), was just two minutes and 24 seconds." Dismayed by the strict enforcement, they went on to say: "I appealed against the fine that day via email and received

an automatic acknowledgment. However, I heard nothing more from the company. Then, at the start of April, I received a reminder stating that the fine had increased to £100." Confusion

ensued as the driver noted: "The letter included a paragraph stating my appeal had been rejected, although I had not been informed of the decision.", reports Birmingham Live.

Expressing frustration, they blasted: "I believe no one should be fined for stopping for just over two minutes. It feels deeply unjust and contrary to common sense." However, there

seems to be a silver lining post the newspaper's involvement. EPS has now offered the motorist a grace period of two weeks to pay a reduced fee of £60. Moreover, the daily highlighted

that motorists can further contest their fines if they wish to challenge the decision. RAC's head of policy, Simon Williams, stated: "Some parking companies are wrongly demanding

'fines' from drivers who have legitimately paid to park,". He continued: "Whether it's a faulty payment machine that records the wrong vehicle registration or an

innocent mistake keying in their numberplate, these people shouldn't have to pay the £100 parking charge notices they are sent." Williams added: "Many cases seem completely

unjustified and should be thrown out at appeal. But sadly they so often aren't."