A Croatian driver in Graz failed to pay 45 parking fines. Now her BMW was “forcibly parked” in the center of Graz with the help of a claw. Because the car is registered and registered, it cannot be towed.
The law stipulates that the parking claw is used when prosecuting a driver is impossible or significantly more difficult. This applies especially, but not only, to cars with a foreign license plate, where collecting parking fines can sometimes be difficult.
“I left angry and without paying”
As in the case of a Croatian driver whose silver BMW – without a ticket – is parked in the center of Graz. The driver now has 45 parking fines pending, totaling more than 1,000 euros. She was happy about it, not surprisingly, not at all. “She was at our office, but got angry and left without paying,” said Thomas Fischer, head of the road department responsible.
“Technical lock”
However, he emphasized that the claw would obviously not be used immediately, but only if there was repeated non-payment. “This technical barrier is placed in such a way that the vehicle cannot be put into use until the outstanding parking fines have been paid,” explains Thomas Fischer.
What next for the lady from Croatia? “We are not allowed to tow the car because it is registered and registered,” Fischer explains. But that would change, for example, if the pickerel expires. The police can then remove the license plates and the Parking Department can ensure that it is towed away.
Costs exceed punishment
It then takes six months before a transfer of ownership and an auction are possible. “Until then there will be a lot of costs,” said the head of the road authority. You rarely get outside with a plus. We can only hope that the Croatian still pays – as long as her heart is set on her car.
The government must also call on the parking claw five to six times a month to improve payment behavior. On average, there are about 120 vehicle auctions per year in Graz.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
