Pay-then-contest parking fines system is 鈥楰afkaesque鈥�
The new parking fines system used by many local councils in France has been labelled 鈥淜afkaesque鈥� and 鈥渋neffective鈥� by a state official whose role is to stand up for the public鈥檚 rights.
The D茅fenseur des Droits鈥� comments come in a report on the forfait de post-stationnement, a scheme rolled out two years ago which gives flexibility to councils.
It means councils can set the rates of fines and can also decide by what method 鈥� letter or online 鈥� and how motorists can contest.
This often results in drivers having to pay before having a decision on their protest, unlike 鈥渢raditional鈥� fines, where you do not pay if you contest, leading to a complicated and drawn-out process.
Contesting a fine does not stop legal time limits for payment and if you contest and do not pay, you miss the chance of a lower fine for payment in the first five days.
The standard time for payment is three months, after which you get an increased fine, and beyond four, officials can seek to recover money from your bank or send in bailiffs to seize goods.
The first tier appeal 鈥� 鈥凌补辫辞鈥� 鈥� is supposed to be dealt with locally within a month. If you are refused and wish to continue, you have to pay the fine, then appeal online to a body in Limoges with an 鈥渆xcessively formal鈥� application.
The report notes that 95% of applications are deemed to be incomplete.
The report says the D茅fenseur receives 鈥渁bundant鈥� complaints about the wrongful issue of fines or increased-rate fines, and difficulties in contesting them. It also says the Limoges body is overloaded as many Rapos are 鈥渟ystematically refused鈥�.
