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UK motorist blames UFO in attempt to evade parking infringement

In an attempt to dodge a parking infringement, a UK motorist told authorities he was forced to stop in to a bus lane to evade capture by a UFO.


The story tops a colourful catalogue of tall tales drivers have used to avoid traffic fines in the UK borough of Southwark.

Another driver said he couldn't be held accountable for parking against double lines as he was asleep in the back of his car at the time. Many more said they didn't even know what road markings were for.

One driver claimed he could park anywhere he liked, as long as it was raining, while countless others blamed parking against yellow double lines on their colour-blindness. UK line markings have the same meaning regardless of colour.

The news comes as the UK's Southwark Council introduces a new online service to handle appeals against parking infringements. The new website allows drivers 72 hours to contest their fine. Appeals were previously managed by post.

"The imagination of some of these drivers is quite impressive," said Gill Davies, Southwark Council’s director of environment.

"But UFOs and colour blindness unfortunately do not count as legitimate reasons to overturn a ticket.

"Our new appeals website will give drivers a much improved service, being both quicker and easier to use.

"Hopefully it will make dreaming up excuses like this a thing of the past."

The man being chased by the UFO was fined £120 (AUD$200) after council CCTV cameras failed to corroborate his story.

Last year, Southwark Council issued more than £6 million (AUD$9.96 million) in parking fines.

What's the best story you've heard someone tell (or told yourself) to escape a traffic fine? Leave a comment now.

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