Car clamping victims could claim compensation under new legislation
29 Jan 2010
Motorists who feel they have unfairly had their cars clamped may
soon have the right to claim compensation under a new scheme to be
introduced by the government.
Ministers have announced proposals in a new Crime and Security Bill
set to come into operation in 2011 that would see drivers eligible
to appeal against what they feel are excessive fines at independent
tribunals.
Not only this, but clamping companies would be required by law to
sign up to a code of conduct in which they would have to declare
when and where they plan to operate.
Fines would also be reduced on private land to put them in line
with what local councils charge, which is usually between £50 and
£70.
Commenting on the changes, Home Office minister Alan Campbell said
they would provide motorists with a means of speaking out against
rogue clamping companies for the first time.
"The government is committed to preventing abuses by unscrupulous
wheel clamping firms and their employees," he added.
This comes after an RAC report last July criticised car wheel
clamping companies for making money from consumers by
extortion.
It found that some firms are paying their employees as much as £50
per vehicle clamped in order to encourage them to meet targets and
make more money for their companies.
At the time, the BBC highlighted one case in which a man won
compensation when his daughter's car was clamped. The 18-year-old
was stranded 80 miles from home late at night after coming back to
a car park nine minutes late and finding that the vehicle had been
towed away.
