REGULATIONS on clamping vehicles were approved by Tynwald on Tuesday.
Infrastructure Minister David Cretney MHK said the regulations were necessary to avoid ‘unfortunate circumstances so prevalent in Great Britain where rogue cowboys clamp vehicles on suspecting motorists and charge as much as £400 for their release’.
The Road Traffic (Immobilisation of Motor Vehicles Off Highways) Regulations 2012 set out that a maximum of £60 may be charged for the release of the vehicle – the same as a fixed penalty notice.
They also set out the warning notice that must be displayed on land – off highways – and the manner of its display.
A maximum fine of £1,000 can be issued to those who break the regulations.
Douglas East MHK Brenda Cannell questioned the regulations when clamping was not permitted in the island. But Mr Cretney said the law had existed since 1985.
Her question on whether there was an appeal mechanism for motorists was not answered.
Onchan MHK David Quirk said he was concerned motorists would be ‘caught out’ and left ‘frustrated’. Mr Quirk and Mrs Cannell both voted against the regulations.
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