Millions of drivers have admitted to facing serious difficulties when looking to pay for their parking using an app on their phones, as experts call for the Government to intervene.
Almost three-quarters of drivers who have used a mobile app to pay for parking in the last 12 months have experienced issues when attempting to pay.
The RAC research found that most people prefer the reliability of using a bank card or cash, despite the country’s move towards digital services.
A lack of signal in the car park is the biggest frustration for 70 per cent of motorists, especially in rural areas where coverage will naturally be weaker.
Drivers also complained about the technology, with 36 per cent saying the mobile app did not recognise which car park they were in, and 35 per cent experiencing the app crashing.
Other concerns included functionality issues (30 per cent) and the app being unable to accept their bank card (24 per cent).
Human issues also prompted issues, with 13 per cent saying they couldn’t work out how to use the app, with this rising to 26 per cent for motorists over the age of 75.
Experts have continually pointed to elderly drivers as being left behind in the technological revolution, especially as more car parks phase out cash as a payment option.
Drivers have expressed their frustration with using apps to pay for parking
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Rod Dennis, senior policy officer at the RAC, highlighted the importance of parking apps in attempting to make parking an easier task.
However, he warned that many drivers find the new process frustrating, including a lack of mobile signal or problems with the app itself.
He added: “Parking should, in theory at least, be one of the simplest tasks any driver completes, but having to navigate a variety of differently designed apps – and register an account, vehicle details and bank cards with each one – can be a pain.
“Having card details saved with a myriad of different providers also isn’t ideal from a security perspective, as, unlike using conventional websites, there’s generally no reassuring padlock symbol on parking apps to show card details are being shared securely.”
Trials are operational around the country to let drivers use just one app to pay for parking
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GETTYThe expert called on motorists to ensure they are using the latest version of the parking app to reduce the number of difficulties they could encounter.
He acknowledged that people with older smartphones could face issues down the road as app developers stop providing updates for older devices.
Mr Dennis also pointed to the Government’s announcement of the National Parking Platform, which could simplify parking for millions of Britons.
So far, 10 local authorities are trialling a scheme which allows drivers to use a single mobile app of their choice.
The RAC stated that councils in Manchester, Liverpool and Coventry are already trialling the technology, with more to be announced in the near future.
Mr Dennis said the launch of the National Parking Platform will remove the need for motorists to download multiple apps just to park in their local area.
This will depend on local authorities signing up for the trial scheme, as well as parking companies registering their interest.
He concluded, saying: “We also continue to believe that all parking operators, whether public or private, should offer drivers at least two different ways to pay.
“No one should be forced to use a mobile app when parking if they don’t want to, especially those who struggle with technology or just don’t have a smartphone.”