Spooky Parking Stories and How to Feel Safe

Sometimes, parking can be spooky.

Horror stories circulate in the media and by word of mouth of blue badge fraud, crime in car parks, fake QR codes, and unlawful PCNs. All topics fitting for Halloween horror stories.

But we aren’t here to spread scary stories around a campfire. The BPA is here to help with these issues, because parking shouldn’t cause fear. It should be a simple and stress-free step in your travel journey.

This year, the BPA worked on implementing the new Sector Single Code of Practice to raise standards across the private parking sector, which mandates clear signage and 10-minute grace periods for motorists to help to reduce fear of being ‘caught out’ by unclear parking rules. Under the new Code, motorists are better protected, and if a breach of the code was ever found, our complaints process and the new appeals charter are there to uphold the code.

Not only that, but the Safer Parking Scheme, managed by the BPA on behalf of the police, sets out to protect motorists and reduce crime and fear of crime in car parks. Look out for the Park Mark® logo and know that you are in a facility that meets strict safety standards with your security in mind.

Moreover, if you’re horrified by inaccessible car parks or blue badge fraud, the BPA works with councils across the UK to tackle blue badge fraud by supporting initiatives such as the National Blue Badge Day of Action, where councils across the UK work together to find and act against motorists parking in blue badge bays or fraudulently using blue badges. We also have our Park Access® scheme, which accredits car parks across the UK on their accessibility and inclusivity. Visit our Park Mark map and select ‘Park Access’ to see these sites.

Finally, if this Halloween you’re haunted by fraudulent PCNs or fake parking QR codes, head to our new ‘protect yourself from fraud’ web page as part of our #ParkAware campaign to find advice helping you to be aware of what to look out for so that you can say safe.

These are just a few of the things that the BPA is doing to protect and support motorists across the UK. No matter which spooky parking story is affecting you, you can sleep easily knowing that there are resources and campaigns there to help you.