Motorist uses AI tool ChatGPT to reduce airport parking fine from £100 to £15

Shaun Bosley, from Brighton, received a 'final notice' letter from NCP, after he dropped a colleague at the airport.

He used the airport’s drop of zone which charges motorists £5 for a maximum of 10 minutes, and an extra £1 for every minute they stay after that to a limit of 20 minutes.

ChatGPT has risen to prominence this year, as its AI tool creates dialogue creator – or chatbot – and is being used across the media industry.

Users can type in a question or request, and the AI will respond almost immediately with human-like conversations and content

Bosley, who works for Phyron, a Swedish company which produces videos for car dealerships, uses ChatGPT in his role.

He contested the fine as he had received no prior correspondence.

Following the issuing of the fine, he decided to use the tool. He said: "In the end, I just typed, 'write an appeal to a penalty charge notice for driving through Gatwick airport, and straight away it came back with a great response.

"It's insane how it writes like a human. I didn't have to look at it and think 'that sounds like a robot, I need to change some of it', it was so conversational."

The ChatGPT content stated: "I understand that it is my responsibility as a driver to be aware of the rules and regulations regarding driving through an airport.

"However, I never received the first notice of the penalty and therefore, did not have the opportunity to contest the charge or pay the fine in a timely manner.

"I believe that the debt collection process has been premature, and I request that you reconsider the penalties imposed."

The following day, the fine was reduced b £85.

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Recent analysis from Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) found that the number of parking tickets issued by private companies in Britain rose by 24% in the second half of 2022.

In fact, a record 5.7 million tickets were issued to drivers between July and December last year – an average of 31,000 a day.

This is an increase of 4.6 million in 2021.

Private parking companies have been consistently accused of taking advantage of drivers with misleading and confusing signage.

The Private Parking Code of Practice has been temporarily paused pending review of the levels of charges, and additional fees. This planned to cap fines to £50.

This was due to be implemented this year, but the legal challenge to it has caused delays

A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokeswoman said: “We are determined to create a new private parking code of practice which will bring in a fairer system with motorists’ interests at its heart.

“We’re working with industry and consumer groups to introduce the code as quickly as possible.”

Have you had any horror stories from private parking fines? What can be done to tackle this problem? Would you use ChatGPT to contest a fine? Leave your comments below.