Finland’s consumer agency is asking (link in Finnish) the ministry of justice to legislate the private parking control sector - companies that patrol client properties, dealing out parking tickets.
If a fine isn’t paid in time, the company mails a reminder to the holder or owner of the car, using publicly available registration information. If the car was driven by someone else, the parking control companies expect the reminder recipient to prove it, and to identify the person in question. Such a reversed burden of proof is troublesome. According to the consumer agency, it is also unreasonable, and therefore illegal under Finland’s consumer protection act. There are also other problems, including drivers having been ticketed where the town plan stipulates free parking.
I agree that legislation is running late, not only because the current situation is somewhat open to opposing interpretations, but above all in order to prevent wild west tactics, such as wheel clamping, from emerging here as they have in many other countries.
What do you think? Have you been ticketed by a private company, and if so, did you pay the fine? Please post your comments!
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