A PENSIONER has said she feels “victimised” after being fined £100 allegedly for parking just an inch over the bay outline.
Amal Bafaqih, 85, felt “angry, sick and disappointed” when she was given the penalty notice at a shopping centre in April.
Amal Bafaqih claims she was fined £100 for parking just ‘one inch’ outside a bayWalesOnline/Media Wales
Reem Ahmed/WalesOnlineWalesOnline/Media WalesA photo from UK Parking Control shows her car to be sitting just over the line[/caption]
Amal, from Cardiff, Wales, claims that her car was just “one inch” over the border of the parking space at Cardiff Bay Retail Park.
A photo from UK Parking Control shows the wheel of her car sitting over the line of the disabled space, which she is entitled to use as a blue badge owner.
But Amal insists that she was not blocking traffic or any other bays and was only in the shop for around 20 minutes.
She has vowed to dispute the penalty, which has now risen from £100 to £170, in court even though she’s “too old to fight back”.
Amal told Wales Online: “It’s ridiculous. It’s really ridiculous. For one inch of the road – why?
“Just nearly an inch or maybe less – and [they are] victimising me for £100.
“Yes, fair enough, I shouldn’t go on the yellow line – but it is just an inch.
“And every driver is not going to carry a tape measure, get out of the car, and measure the distance between you and the yellow line. That’s ridiculous.”
She also slammed the parking company, saying they “don’t care a hoot” about her health issues, adding that she has received several letters from debt collectors.
The elderly motorist even said she is willing to go to prison as she refuses to pay the fine.
UK Parking Control has been contacted for comment.
It comes after a road law expert weighed in on whether or not you are allowed to leave cones outside your home to reserve parking spaces.
Meanwhile, holidaymakers travelling to Spain were warned over a headphones rule that could land them with a £170 fine.
WalesOnline/Media WalesShe has vowed to fight the fine in court and says she is even willing to go to prison[/caption]