§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to set a national level of fines on people parking illegally in areas reserved for disabled drivers. [119303]
§ Mr. Charles Clarke[holding answer 17 April 2000]: There is a maximum national level of fines for the offence of parking illegally in an area reserved for disabled drivers. The maximum penalty is a level 3 fine, currently £1,000. When such offences are brought before the courts it is for the court to decide the nature and severity of penalties, taking account of the circumstances of the offence and the offender.
More commonly, such offences are dealt with under the fixed penalty system in which the offender is required to pay a fixed penalty notice in lieu of prosecution. This is currently £20 for all such non-endorsable offences outside London, £30 inside London and £40 on Red Routes. The 510W different levels of penalty reflect greater traffic pressures and congestion in London and the need for greater compliance. The level of fixed penalty are under review.