Examentrainers

Text messages help ward off parking tickets

						“Warden Watch does not at any time
		By Janelle Oswald
		janelle.oswald@gvmedia.co.uk
1		SOUTH Londoners Paul Johnson, 33,
		and Wilson Baptiste, 29, have
		developed a strategy to beat over-
		zealous traffic wardens.
2		The initiative, called Warden
		Watch, was inspired by numerous
		confrontational encounters with traffic
		wardens (for minor traffic offences)
		which led to them feeling duped,
		swindled and ripped off by what they
		call ‘road vultures’ – but most				encourage users of this service to park
		importantly, broke.				illegally or use this service to break the
3		Warden Watch is a text message				law. We just want to  7  wardens who
		service that allows the public to help				are over-zealous.”
		each other avoid getting parking		4		Since its launch, Warden Watch
		tickets. It is a members’ only club, and				has gained support from shop owners,
		once signed up, each member is given a				the public and of course motorists.
		sticker which is displayed on their car.				Last year city councils and private
		The ‘warden watcher’ texts ‘ww’				firms grossed £350 million from
		followed by the spotted car’s				parking tickets, which has enraged
		registration to 60030, alerting the				drivers.
		driver when a traffic warden is lurking		5		Warden Watch now has a website
		suspiciously near their car. The whole				that educates drivers on the rules of
		process costs the ‘warden watcher’ the				the road and gives advice on how to
		same price as sending an ordinary text				appeal against tickets that have been
		and is free for the person informed.				issued incorrectly.
		Speaking to The Voice, Johnson said: