A university in the US has suspended the use of a new parking fine device named “the Barnacle” after complaints from students.
The mechanism was attached to cars belonging to people who had not paid tickets at the University of Oklahoma.
It uses powerful suction cups to stick onto the windscreen of cars, preventing drivers from seeing out of the window.
If they drive away, a loud alarm sounds.
They had to call up a number on the device and pay their fine to be given a code that unlocks the clamp, which then had to be returned to the operators within 24 hours.
According to OU Parking and Transportation Services, which operated the device, it was only used when people failed to pay a fine or parked illegally.
But its deployment created a furore at the university, with students accusing parking authorities of exploitation.
In a statement released on Tuesday, OU Parking said it has stopped using the device and put it under review.
If it is brought back, students will be given 30 days’ notice.
“We have received a great deal of feedback and we want to listen,” OU Parking said.
