A family was shocked when they were hit with a photographic speeding fine that showed their car and license plate… even though they were 1,500 miles away at the time. What happened serves as a warning about airport parking!
Airport parking may not be as secure as you think
Countless people use airport parking or other nearby parking services to leave their cars until they return from traveling. But one family got a shock that indicates some parking services may not be as secure as you think!
A couple flew to Spain earlier this month, where they spent just shy of two weeks enjoying the warmth of the sun in Murcia.
Before flying, they handed over the keys and left their Golf GTI with Meet & Greet parking staff at Manchester Airport, according to LADBible.
But their expectations that their vehicle would be safe and secure while during their trip were about to be shattered.
Couple issued speeding ticket, but they were 1,500 miles away at the time
After the couple’s flight home from their Spanish vacation, they picked up their vehicle from the parking service and drove home. So it came as a complete shock when they received a traffic citation in the mail. The prosecution letter from the police was dated seven days after they had flown to Spain, roughly one week into their visit there. According to the Central Ticket Office, the violation was for driving 55 mph in a 30 mph zone at a location roughly 11 miles from the airport. The citation also came with a photo showing the same color and model as their Golf GTI, as well as the same license plate.
The couple wondered how this could be since their vehicle had been stored with the parking service. Surely there had to be a mistake. It couldn’t be their car… Or could it?
Couple fights driving citation
The couple contacted the Greater Manchester Police and informed them that the alleged offense could not have possibly been committed by them, explaining they were out of the country on vacation at the time the citation was issued.
The couple also contacted the parking service. The Manchester Airport stated the car was taken to a secure compound by staff on the same day the couple flew and that the vehicle remained there the entire time, insisting the vehicle could not have been used to commit the alleged offense.
“We are aware that a customer who booked Meet & Greet car parking at Manchester Airport has received a notice of intended prosecution from Greater Manchester Police, which relates to an alleged speeding offence that took place while they were on holiday,” a spokesperson for Manchester Airport said. “We understand this would be distressing for the customer concerned, and launched an immediate investigation after being notified. This investigation has indicated the car that was booked in with us remained in a secure storage area until it was collected by the customer on their return. The key to the vehicle was also securely stored throughout.”
“Further investigations indicate the vehicle shown in the speed camera image is different to the one that was left with us,” the airport spokesperson continued.
However, if the speeding vehicle that was photographed was different, it doesn’t quite explain why the car in the police photo would have the same license plate number. The plates allowed the authorities to send the citation to an address where that vehicle is registered.
“While the customer concerned has not made a complaint to Manchester Airport, we have made several attempts to speak with them directly, in order to share our findings and remain eager to do so, as well as assisting the police in any enquiries they wish to make into the matter,” the airport spokesperson added. “We want to assure customers that there are a number of strict security measures in place to monitor the whereabouts of vehicles left with us and ensure they are kept safe at all times.”
