Can you clarify the law on the following scenario?
I sometimes park in a time-restricted parking area that displays a P90 sign. After, say 85 minutes, can I legitimately move my vehicle to a different parking spot, but within the same P90 parking area? Does the time start again, or can I be ticketed after five minutes, ie, when the total parking time in that area exceeds 90 minutes?
Do parking wardens still chalk the tyres, or is a record made electronically?
This has formed an interesting discussion with my husband, who believes that a driver can move to any other space in the same P90 area, and can once again park for 90 minutes. I would be interested in your interpretation of the law.
Gerry Heta, Auckland.
The current legal requirement is that you must leave the area of restriction after the time displayed has elapsed. The area of restriction is defined as the bay that you have parked your vehicle in.
This means that if you were parked in, say, one of six angle parks within a P90 zone and you reversed back out and moved to the next bay, you are deemed to have left the area of restriction and your time starts again.
A parking officer would then be required to re-chalk the vehicle.
Officers would also take additional evidence to support the start times. This might include multiple chalk marks and/or notes in the officer's book.