What do white zig-zag lines on the road mean and can I be fined for parking on them? | The Sun

WE all want to avoid the frustration and costly expense of a parking ticket – but the problem is, sometimes it’s hard to know what the rules are when it comes to parking.

And one of those rules includes white zig-zag lines – what do they mean and can you be fined for parking on them? Here's everything you need to know.

What do white zig-zag lines mean?

White zig-zag road markings are typically found either side of pedestrian crossings.

They indicate that parking and overtaking in these zones is strictly prohibited – providing an unobstructed view for pedestrians.

They were placed at either side of the Zebra crossings in 1971 and they were then added to Pelican crossings much later during the 1980s.

The same goes for yellow zig-zag lines, which are found outside of schools, hospitals, police and fire stations.

Their purpose is to provide pedestrians, children and staff a clear, unobstructed view of the road in front of them – minimising the risk of danger.

White zig-zags are enforced 24 hours a day, each day of the year and do not need a sign to enforce the no parking prohibition.

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Unlike yellow zig-zag lines, there is no exception to stopping on white zig zag lines.

Can I be fined for parking on white zig-zag lines?

The answer is yes – you can be fined for parking on white zig-zag lines.

You do risk being fined and receiving penalty points by parking your vehicle on white or yellow zig-zag lines – but yellow zig zags needs an accompanying sign to be legally enforceable.

White lines, on the other hand, are enforced by local authorities and the police, and they do not require a sign to be enforceable.

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Parking on white zig-zag lines is especially difficult to dispute a given penalty – as few exceptions are given.

Disputing a penalty can result in tickets being cancelled if stopped because of an emergency such as helping a person who is injured for example.

How much is parking fine?

As parking on white zig-zag lines puts pedestrians at risk, police will almost always issue a Fixed Penalty Notice without exceptions.

The FPN issued by the police is £100 with 3 penalty points – if you refuse, you could take the matter to court.

Penalty points stay on driving licences for between four and 11 years depending upon the offence.

If the payment is received within the first 14 days, drivers only have to pay half the penalty.

After this fortnight, motorists lose their right to pay the reduced penalty charge.

Penalty charge notices increase by 50 per cent if drivers don't pay in time.

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