Industry News from Yes Insurance

The responsibility for parking reinforcement in Northern Ireland has passed over from the police to the Department for Regional Development (DRD), and roads minister David Cairns had a powerful message for motorists.

Speaking at the launch of a public awareness campaign to highlight the introduction of Decriminalisation of Parking Enforcement (DPE), Mr Cairns said: "DPE will see our new traffic attendants concentrating on enforcing parking and waiting restrictions to help make our streets less congested and safer. Where necessary they will issue penalty notices of £60.

"By [using] the twin approaches of enforcement and education we hope to encourage illegal parkers to follow the example of the vast majority of road users and park properly and avoid the need for them or indeed anyone else to pay the penalty," he declared.

He also warned that persistent offenders would have their vehicles clamped and if necessary, towed away.

Clearly not wanting to make an enemy out of the nation's drivers, Mr Cairns insisted: "This is a pro-car policy. So, for drivers who currently park properly this new system means that little will change.

"However those people who park illegally will be much less likely to get away with it. Our aim is to reduce illegal parking, reduce traffic congestion, improve road safety and make roads more accessible to all users," he added.

It is hoped that safer parking will lead to the roads becoming safer for pedestrians and motorists, lowering the likelihood of costly car insurance.

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