Police Parking Ticket Doesn't Seem Fair

JaspaC

Basically I parked up close to the entrance of my local university (not the main entrance, one of the many side entrances with barriers restricting access).

I went in for an hour or so and when I got back I had been given a ticket. (as had 5 other cars). In addition my car wing mirror nearest the road had been folded around, even though its not really designed to. It was folded the opposite way to oncoming traffic and this has never been done before at this place. I suspect it may have been the police officer but I have no evidence.I did have a witness with me at the time if this helps.

I was parked in a place that I and many others have been parking for months without problems. I was not blocking traffic or obstructing vision, and all vehicles were getting past with no problems whatsoever. As can be see in the photos, especially the one with the Land Rover passing my car.

The ticket description does say I was obstructing the road though.

I went to the university security department who informed me that it was not them who had issued it and that it was the police. Though they did tell me that it was the university who had called the police to do it, as it wasn't university property.

It's annoying that the university can do this, there are many other junctions with cars packed into the small stretches that don't have double yellows in the town but none of them ever seem to get tickets. (I'm sure I could get evidence if anyone thinks this would help).

I don't know if you reading this know about parking in Loughborough very much but its impossible, every street has double yellows even where it would be perfectly safe for people to park. This is to stop students parking and hence try to persuade them not to bring their cars. There are even some areas where there are signs saying 'no university parking' allowing everyone but students to park. Personally I think this is very unfair, especially given that many students are local residents now. The university has ample parking but isn't allowed to let too many students park on campus due to the pressure from the council and local residents. Which basically forces us to park in places like I did.

There are no signs, double yellows or any reminders of any kind, its a very quiet junction. There is also no cctv at the junction.

I have included several images below: Google maps both annotated and not. Pictures of my car before I drove of after getting the ticket. And the tickets themselves.

Things to note from the pictures:

-The Land Rover is easily able to pass whilst still staying within the lines.
-The name of the road written on the ticket (technically I was parked on the junction coming off this road, so is this incorrect?).
-There were 4 little pieces within the ticket.
-The car details were all correct apart from the model, which was incorrect (does this make the ticket invalid?).


What should I do now?
Write to them pleading? Obviously I wont do it again! Not after all this hassle!



i117.photobucket.com/albums/o63/jammyC/ticketfront.png


i117.photobucket.com/albums/o63/jammyC/ticketinsides.png

i117.photobucket.com/albums/o63/jammyC/ticketmiddle.png

i117.photobucket.com/albums/o63/jammyC/Picture1.png

i117.photobucket.com/albums/o63/jammyC/gmaps.png

i117.photobucket.com/albums/o63/jammyC/16112009003.jpg

i117.photobucket.com/albums/o63/jammyC/16112009002.jpg

i117.photobucket.com/albums/o63/jammyC/16112009001.jpg

i117.photobucket.com/albums/o63/jammyC/16112009.jpg


Any help that you can give would be much appreciated.

Thankyou,

Jamie Cooper

flyingscotno1

I wouldn't say that was a good place to park and in all honesty looks more abandoned bumped up on the offside lane in the centre reserve, rather than parked.

I'm assuming the area is decriminalised which means the council fines for parking offences, the police for other traffic offences. This might be why some people on DYL don't get tickets- different folk. Unfortunatly you can prove they don't get tickets but that is not here nor there, the old 2 wrongs scenario...

You have been given a ticket for obstruction which can be argued however, you don't have to totally block the road either. Indeed it could be argued that your parked within the junction visibility splay and parked too close to a junction which would give them some clout.

Minor mistakes like colour and car model are not usual enough to get tickets revoked. If there is wording mistake you could take it to court, but personally, I think it might be pay up and move on unless someone else knows better.

PasturesNew

Is yours the white one?

That's truly from a graduate of the Advanced School of Vehicle Abandonment.

You're breaking so many laws there. It's unsafe, it's dangerous. People could be killed.

The Highway Code isn't guidance, it's law. It's not optional.

See 243: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069860

DO NOT stop or park ....
opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space

xocbc

Having looked at the photos there's very little point in wasting time defending this imho, you are clearly parked on/too close to a junction in contravention of the Highway Code. I'm surprised that they didn't have the car removed tbh!

biscuitdunker

You parked right beneath a Give Way sign, you're clearly making it much more dangerous for people trying to join the main carriage way! You seriously think this ticket was unfair??

James_N

Frankly (since you asked) this was a dull place to park. I am surprised the police left the car there and didn't get it towed. This thread is not about getting away with charges and fines - it's about fairness and reasonableness.

You haven't got a leg to stand on on this one. You are clearly in the wrong. It's a police matter. A the risk of sounding like a PPC troll: this time you pay.

Dave101t

what an idiot. if i was the police i would of towed and crushed.

maninthestreet

JaspaC wrote: »

Any help that you can give would be much appreciated.

1) Read the Highway Code.

2) Get some driving lessons.

Coblcris

PasturesNew wrote: »

The Highway Code isn't guidance, it's law. It's not optional.

See 243: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069860

This is wrong, the Highway Code is not law nor is it a statement of the law.
It never has been.

It is not primary legislation (an Act) nor is it secondary legislation (a Statutory Instrument).

The page you linked to clearly show the applicable statutory law for that page

[Laws CUR reg 98, 105 & 107, RVLR reg 27 & RTA 1988 sect 42]

[Laws MT(E&W)R regs 7 & 9, MT(S)R regs 6 & 8, ZPPPCRGD regs 18 & 20, RTRA sects 5, 6 & 8, TSRGD regs 10, 26 & 27, RTA 1988 sects 21(1) & 36]

[Laws CSDPA sect 21 & RTRA sects 5 & 8]

[Laws RTA 1988, sect 22 & CUR reg 103]

[Law GL(GP)A sect 15]

[Law RTA 1988 sect 19]

[Law RTRA sects 5 & 8]

[Laws CUR reg 101 & RVLR reg 24]

[Law RVLR reg 24]

[Laws RVLR reg 24 & CUR reg 82(7)]


If you think that is a lot of detail to read it is. But it does not include case law. Read Wilkinson to see how detailed it really is.

James_N

Coblcris wrote: »

This is wrong, the Highway Code is not law nor is it a statement of the law.
It never has been.

It is not primary legislation (an Act) nor is it secondary legislation (a Statutory Instrument).
[/B]

But still a dull place to leave a car.

maninthestreet

Coblcris wrote: »

This is wrong, the Highway Code is not law nor is it a statement of the law.
It never has been.

It is not primary legislation (an Act) nor is it secondary legislation (a Statutory Instrument).

The page you linked to clearly show the applicable statutory law for that page

[Laws CUR reg 98, 105 & 107, RVLR reg 27 & RTA 1988 sect 42]

[Laws MT(E&W)R regs 7 & 9, MT(S)R regs 6 & 8, ZPPPCRGD regs 18 & 20, RTRA sects 5, 6 & 8, TSRGD regs 10, 26 & 27, RTA 1988 sects 21(1) & 36]

[Laws CSDPA sect 21 & RTRA sects 5 & 8]

[Laws RTA 1988, sect 22 & CUR reg 103]

[Law GL(GP)A sect 15]

[Law RTA 1988 sect 19]

[Law RTRA sects 5 & 8]

[Laws CUR reg 101 & RVLR reg 24]

[Law RVLR reg 24]

[Laws RVLR reg 24 & CUR reg 82(7)]


If you think that is a lot of detail to read it is. But it does not include case law. Read Wilkinson to see how detailed it really is.

When the Highway code says you MUST NOT.... it's because there is a specific law that says you musn't, and you comnmit an offence if you ignore it. The specific rule in the Highway Code that the OP has ignored/broken is Rule 243, that states, amongst others, that you MUST NOT stop or park within 10 metres of a road junction.