A controversial bill that will see hauliers pay 50% less on parking fines if they are paid quickly has been voted through in the Danish Parliament.
According to transportmagasinet.dk, the parking fee of DKK 2,040 (roughly €274) for parking more than the legal 25 hours will be halved to DKK 1,020 if it is paid within five days. A 25% discount will also apply if the fine is paid within 6 to 24 days.
Around 85% of parking fines in Denmark are issued to foreign HGVs, but only about 17% actually pay. The new law is said to be an attempt from the authorities to get more foreign hauliers to pay rest area parking fines. As the discount applies to everyone, Danish drivers and hauliers can look forward to cheaper parking violations if they pay quickly too.
Going by the Facebook comments section of popular Danish trucking website Lastbil Magasinet, most drivers in Denmark are furious about the plans.
Many drivers believe the change simply rewards hauliers who have avoided paying, and that there is little evidence that fines will be paid even if there are discounts.
Others say the best thing to do would be to scrap parking fees entirely, making it fair for everyone. A number of people in the industry have also come out to say that the main problem is the lack of parking spaces themselves, and that measures need to be taken in order to boost capacity.
Photo Politi / Facebook