A car parking expert has raised concerns that faulty ticket machines are issuing incorrect fines of up to £170 to drivers who have already paid for parking.

According to data from the RAC Foundation, an average of 41,000 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) are issued daily in Britain, primarily due to discrepancies between paid tickets and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) data.

Jones highlighted that unclear parking signs contribute significantly to confusion, with 30% of drivers appealing tickets due to signage issues, and 63% advocating for clearer regulations.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has acknowledged the prevalence of incorrect PCNs, labeling it a significant problem that needs addressing.

Many private parking facilities utilize ticket machines that require drivers to input their vehicle registration numbers, which are then verified by ANPR systems.

To mitigate risks, drivers are advised to carefully check parking restrictions, avoid uncertain zones, and plan their parking in advance.

Campaigner Lynda Eagan claims that thousands of drivers receive unfair PCNs due to faulty machines, noting that 'sticky keys' are a common malfunction.

Campaigners have reported that these machines often fail to accurately register number plates, resulting in wrongful PCNs being issued.

In the UK, drivers collectively pay over £1 billion annually in parking fines, averaging around £39 per driver each year, according to Inrix data.

Insurance expert Rhydian Jones emphasized that unexpected fines add financial strain on drivers, asserting that machine malfunctions should not be the responsibility of the driver.