DON'T CHANCE IT
Urgent warning to drivers over TikTok parking ‘hack’ that could land you with hefty fine
DRIVERS have been issued with an urgent warning over a TikTok parking "hack" that could land them with a hefty fine.
Motorists are urged to avoid the #parkinghack challenge that's gripped drivers up and down the country.
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The silly TikTok hack has had more than seven million views in the past two weeks.
It involves pretending your car has broken down and is waiting to be fixed to weasel out of a parking ticket.
But Harrison Woods, CEO at Your Parking Space, told the Liverpool Echo they "seamless" hack leaves out one vital piece of detail.
He said: "Despite plenty of commenters feeling that if you're willing to fight your corner you may be able to get out of a ticket, if you follow this hack you will still get a ticket and have to pay unless you can prove, with receipts, that your car was waiting for either repairs or vehicle collection.
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"Cameras can also be used to provide evidence of the condition of your car, in addition to your claims needing to be in line with what the parking officer has said about your case."
And those who can't could face a crippling fine and be taken to court under the Fraud Act, costing you hundreds of pounds in legal fees.
In the worst case scenario, you could be convicted and receive an unlimited fine or even be sent to prison, Mr Woods said.
He added: "Leaving your car bonnet open when you are away from your vehicle will only lead to water damage or in other cases, harmful intrusion and temptation for thieves.
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"That means you could be left seriously out of pocket if you’re your car is damaged and you have no evidence of how the damage occurred.
"Paying for parking may feel like an inconvenience at the time, but guaranteeing the safety of your car will cause you a lot less problems in the long run."
In April, driver were warned that a TikTok trend could get them in trouble with the law - even landing them in prison.
The craze, known as car camping or stealth camping, involves kitting out your car with everything from foam mattresses to black-out shades to then spend the night inside.
The movement has gained steam in the US but is also growing in the UK, with #stealthcamping receiving 9.5m views on TikTok, while Google searches for the trend have doubled in the last year.
Enthusiasts report that it gives them the freedom to go wherever, whenever without concerns over the price tag.
However, prospective car campers have been warned that it can lead to some big legal penalties if done wrong.
Mark Akbar, Managing Director of CarStore, gave drivers his top tips about getting involved in the craze safely and legally.
His top warning was that "Sleeping in a car in the UK while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal and Brits can find themselves with a hefty £2,500 fine, 10 licence points or even a prison term.
"Even if the car is stationary, you could still be considered legally in control.
"So, if you’re considering camping out in your car after a night at the pub – think again!"
The Road Traffic Act of 1998 states that motorists are liable to be punished if they are over the limit while "in control" of a vehicle, not just driving it.
He also advised campers to be aware of potential parking charges and to turn off the engine and heater to avoid battery drain.
Even stopping at a service station can carry unexpected parking charges after two hours, according to Mark.
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He further warned against driving when you're tired regardless of how far the destination is.
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His advice is to stop every two hours to stretch your legs and get some fresh air, as well as plan enough long stopovers at hotels or campsites.
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