Data from the DVLA has shown that the 2024/25 financial year (ending April 2025) could well be a ‘record’ year for parking fines.
That’s after a freedom of information (FOI) request found that there were 7.2 million parking fines issued in the first half of the last financial year.
The reason the DVLA have the data is because car park management companies request vehicle keeper details from them in order to correctly issue the fines.
It represents a 12% rise on the figures from 2023/24 and means that we could well see a record year for parking fines.
Why Are More Fines Being Issued?
The news that more parking fines are being issued than ever before follows the recent revelation that speeding fines were on the rise, too.
So, why are more fines being issued?
Well, it’s a combination of factors including more drivers being on the road than ever before and technological advances meaning that much of the process can be automated to issue fines to drivers.
That’s the case with ANPR cameras in car parks and with more cameras than ever before on motorways and main roads able to issue speeding fines.
While parking fines are issued by private companies and are a separate issue, speeding fines (and fines for distracted driving and mobile phone use behind the wheel) are part of the government’s bid to improve road safety.
With the number of registered vehicles in the UK rising by more than 20% since 2012, traffic levels and as a result, traffic offences, were always going to rise and present issues for authorities.
Improving road safety isn’t down to just one strategy but it’s hoped that by clamping down on driving offences, the government and police can help make the roads safer for all road users.
Read more about how parking fines are on the rise here.
Are Traffic Levels Affecting Road Safety?
The reality is that the more people that are on the road, the bigger risk it is towards the safety of your drivers and of other road users.
Traffic congestion rose by an average of 9% in 2024 and with 20% more vehicles on the road than 13 years ago, it’s bound to have an impact.
Mitigating risk is something we all want to do as drivers and when you’re looking after an entire fleet, it becomes an even bigger priority.
It’s something we can help with, both in mitigating risk for your vehicles (through Fleet Monitor which you can find out more about here) and through Driving Monitor, to ensure you’ve got full oversight on everything from licence checks to training monitor, telematics integration and accident monitoring.
Do you think a rise in fines for driving offences presents concerns? Or you think it’s a sign that the government is ready to clamp down on issues in an effort to improve road safety? Let us know in the comments below…
