Police Parking Ticket Doesn't Seem Fair

molerat

JaspaC wrote: »

What should I do now?

Change your photobucket account name from jammyc to stupidc :rolleyes:

chambta

This is a wind up, right?

matt1987

You're parked too close to a junction. That's why!

JaspaC

Evening,

Thankyou all for your many many constructive :-s responses.

I would like to just explain why I started this thread and then reply to each of the points raised in your responses.

I parked where I did because of very little alternative whilst in a rush, with a vehicle, in Loughborough. I was particularly angry at the fact that I got a ticket, and thus a £30 flat fine, rather than any kind of warning. I know this was wrong of me, and believe it or not I have had a glance through the highway code! Probably more than most.

If it weren't for the circumstances surrounding the parking situation for students in Loughborough I would not have parked like I did, however, even though it is illegal I saw it causing very little danger inconvenience anyone so I parked there. Now I thought I would try to explain these circumstances to you on this forum, knowing how helpful and knowledgeable SOME members of this forum can be. In the hope that you may be able to point out 'loopholes' such as mistake son the ticket and certain process I would have been able to go through. NOT because I just want to try and get out of a fine and park wherever I want, being above the law, not at all. But because I thought you may have sympathized with me slightly and offered some of your help. If you don't/didn't want to that's fine. However I don't particularly appreciate alot of the slanderous comments from some people.

I think it's probably best just to reply to numerous quotes detailed below...

PasturesNew wrote: »

Is yours the white one?

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

Mine is the white one. You think that just because a car has 2 wheels on grass and the steering wheel turned that it is abandoned? Hardly! stop exaggerating.

PasturesNew wrote: »

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

You must be saying that for a laugh! 'people could have been killed' I think the chances of someone being killed there during that hour because of my car are very very slim. You are exaggerating so much. Unless of course you could provide some evidence of this (not just a paragraph if blurb with some googled statistics thrown in).

PasturesNew wrote: »

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

See 243:

Never said that it was optional. In fact I had read that particular line before I posted this thread, but thought I would anyway in case someone knows something I didn't. As it happens your patronizing little post was obviously squashed later on in the thread anyway. so thanks for that.

xocbc wrote:

I'm surprised that they didn't have the car removed tbh!

Why? It wasn't causing any problem to anyone else.

biscuitdunker wrote:

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??

There is enough room for a car with even the longest of bonnets to reach the end of the junction, look to the right and then pull out. The only thing my car stops people doing is rushing straight out onto the carriage way, which they shouldn't be doing after seeing a give way sign anyway. This is a small inconvenience if anything.

James_N wrote:

Frankly (since you asked)

I didn't

James_N wrote:

This thread is not about getting away with charges and fines - it's about fairness and reasonableness.

I know exactly what this thread is about and that's why I posted. I'm not trying to just get away with breaking the law I'm trying to get you to see why I believe it is fair to let people park there.(as explained above).

Dave101t wrote:

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

Well there is a reason that you aren't the police.
Don't take all you anger for jackasses that park wherever they like whenever, on me just because some people have said they don't like the parking above. You're judging me on one instance. Please just stick to the case mentioned here and try to be more constructive. I'm guessing you haven't ever read the forum guidelines! Perhaps your computer should be crushed!

maninthestreet wrote:

2) Get some driving lessons.

I wasn't driving in any of those photos. Please stop making assumptions about my driving just from some pictures of a parked car. I can't help but think this is why you're all so angry, because you're building up this picture of me to be everything you hate about some drivers these days. I'm just like you! (even if that doesn't make you happy!).

James_N wrote:

"great comeback"

king100 wrote:

that is some of the worst parking i have seen.

Seriously?!?! You surely don't drive around that much then. Are you sure you're not just jumping on the bandwagon here?

DaveF327 wrote:

Your car was causing an obstruction to vision, even if not to the width of the carriageway. What you're forgetting is, while you cannot see a significant problem in your photographs with those vehicles, that doesn't mean there wasn't a problem earlier when a large lorry or bus had to squeeze by to turn right, effectively making the left lane impassable to people turning left. Drivers of low profile cars would have their vision along the dual carriageway significantly restricted until the last moment, therefore losing progress unnecessarily.

You could see the dual carriageway very clearly from the end as previously said. The two circumstances you mentioned only cause brief inconveniences, they don't actually stop vehicles from getting through, still with some ease. This can be said for narrow 2 way streets where there are cars legally parked on both sides, if 2 buses or lorries had to come down in opposite directions there would be a lot of inconvenience as one of them would have to reverse. That's life! It doesn't mean it's fair for me to be fined £30 to get them a tiny bit more convenience when driving. Besides no lorries or buses can get through the barriers anyway (sorry I should have mentioned this).
You also mentioned that I only took into account the cars that were currently there. I believe this is how it should be, each driver should take into account whats currently there. E.g. it would fill up anymore than it did because the next driver would be parking unsafely. Hence the area remains safe. It's worth mentioning that there were more cars there when I arrived, which Is why I parked on the island bit and not on the opposite side.

DaveF327 wrote:

Let's look at another "knock on effect" you may be unaware of. If we assume that it's OK to plonk your car wherever there's no paint on the road, what's to stop someone parking immediately opposite you on the left? Although that obstruction would take the co-operation of many transgressors, the whole chain reaction of events would start with just one person. Rules are there to be obeyed. Just think, if everyone drove and parked exactly to the highway code and kept away from junctions, traffic wardens and police would have a very easy life and a collective fortune would be saved by the public in fines and penalties.

Again I only parked there because it was safe to when I arrived. If another car parked opposite me afterwards, it would be his fault! just like it is on a narrow road when a second car blocks access by parking adjacent to the first.

DaveF327 wrote:

I sympathise with you regarding the lack of legitimate parking and the apparent "anti-student vendetta" but this doesn't mean you can make up your own rules. You simply have to look harder for a proper parking spot and allow a longer journey time to do so.

Thankyou. But I've been looking for two years now and haven't found anywhere else it's a right pain. I'm only angry because of Loughborough parking situation more than anything. If it weren't the way it is I'd have definitely parked elsewhere. Cheers dave.

biscuitdunker wrote:

Do you mean here that the wing mirror was folding in towards the car? Because if so, perhaps the police were trying to do you a favor because of your awful parking and suspected that it might get knocked by other cars? If you mean it was folded backwards, then that was probably another car clipping you. Either way, you can't complain about that.

Why can't I complain? they've damaged my car! I didn't ask them to do that. It is bent towards my car.

photome wrote:

Dont hold your breath for replies from the OP as his first post was also ticket related and didn'ttt reply to that one

The other topic was about completelylseparatete incident to this and has nothing to do with it. The only reason I haven't replied to that one yet is because I'm involved in a dispute with the council and am awaiting a response. I will respond on that thread when I get a reply from the council.

photome wrote:

FWIW I think it was a stupid place to park

FWIW I think you're wrong and probably would have done the same.

Shellsuit - I think I have addressed all your comments above.

Chippy_Minton wrote:

Students, the future of our country.:rolleyes::rotfl::rolleyes:

Perhaps we can make parking fairer in the future.:rolleyes::rotfl::rolleyes::D

ClareEmily wrote:

Well that gave me a chuckle on a otherwise dull Friday.

Terrible bit of "parking"

Thanks;)

marmitedog wrote:

Judging by the OPs photobucket account, he/she seems to be a big fan of funfairs, traveling sites, mobile homes and old vans.

I am a funfair enthusiast. all other pics on their are things I've sold on eBay, either for myself or for friends. I don't mind but how is that relevant?

coupon-mad wrote:

IMHO people who park like the OP should be made to re-take their test or at least take an eye test if they can't see that they are causing an obstruction and are a danger to other traffic.

but I'm not causing an obstruction. and if you really believe I require a retest, for that offense, then maybe every little offence ever should require a retest. I doubt you are a perfect driver.

dacouch wrote:

Thats not parked, it's abandoned!

Thats not abandoned, it's parked!

olly300 wrote:

You are causing an obstruction it's been explained by lots of posters why.

I Disagree

olly300 wrote:

The university would do this due to complaints by local residents, bus drivers and HGV drivers about safety.

Knowing our university security dept fairly well, I doubt it. I imagine they just wanted to spite us because we were parking close to campus and they weren't in control.

olly300 wrote:

As a pedestrian particular a child the cars are blocking your view of the road. .

Not applicable. The grass I am parked on is technically an island, or spit. Meaning the road my wheels are on is just the exit of the university so pedestrians including small children would only need to look left to see oncoming traffic.Given that my car is in front of where the foot and cycle paths go to cross the road, my car is not obscuring their vision what-so-ever.

olly300 wrote:

The reason so many roads have double yellow lines on it is that they are not safe to park on or will cause congestion if people park their especially if double Decker buses, fire engines, ambulances and HGVs have to use the road..

Do you know this? have you seen them?

olly300 wrote:

I've been to two universities and they had that as well. The university and college I live near also has that.

And? that doesn't make it fair.

olly300 wrote:

Students are only around universities from end September/October to May or beginning of June. They also move on within 3 years.

Wrong! some students stay all year round. Like me for example, I am now a loughborough resident. A student, but still a loughborough resident.

olly300 wrote:

I am around 12 calendar months of the year. And have been living around or in my area for over 20 years.

That doesn't and shouldn't give you are more rights than a student who has lived there for a week! Remember we have given up all the rights and benefits that we've left behind in the communities in which we used to live. Everybody within a town should have equal rights.

Olly300 - I did use my common sense when parking and if your friends didn't go to loughborough then your comment is irrelevant, but if they did then please do tell where I can park!

Money_Grabber13579 wrote:

What makes it funnier is that it isn't the first time!

Got done for meter feeding in this case. Even though the signs state no return in 1 hour for up to 3 hour tickets i.e. you can't just buy a new one when the old runs out!

I've only ever had 2 parking tickets. after 3 years or driving. both in the same month. I didn't realize about the meter feeding obviously. you make it sound as if its obvious. I think I'm just unlucky.

hartcjhart wrote:

what about the bl@@dy great stretch of white ones:eek::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I Wasn't parked on those.

Molerat, Chambta and Matt1987 - Thanks for all being so helpful, clearly a true credit to this forum .:T
Sorry about my poor spelling and grammar, its 5 in the morning!



rant over,

All the best,

StupidC :-)

peter_the_piper

This must go down as the longest post ever on MSE. Its quite clear that the OP does not believe he is in the wrong and seems to be one of those people who will never accept that he is. Maybe a stroll over to the nice people on pepipoo will get him a more rounded view.:-)

photome

Originally Posted by photome
FWIW I think it was a stupid place to park

reply by JaspaC
FWIW I think you're wrong and probably would have done the same

I can 100% tell you that I would never have parked the same as you did.

You obviously dont care about inconsiderate parking and all the reasons given for you not parking there, however long you make your posts that isnt going to change I guess.

Which bit about being parked to close to a junction dont you understand?

Paradigm

As I said on page 1.. this is a Police issued Fixed Penalty & trying to fight one ranges from difficult to impossible!

The only appeal is to go to court & in the (highly likely) event you lose the fine will be increased & costs added!

Just pay the £30 & save yourself a whole lot of grief!

darich

I've not read the whole thread but having looked at the pic I'm amazed the OP even thought about parking there never mind actually doing it.

I wouldn't have been surprised if the car had been removed.

I can't believe the OP is contesting the ticket.

I did notice that the OP stated they had little alternatrive while in a rush.
I'm afraid you do......you always do.
Leave earlier and park further away in a designated parking space.

You admit it's illegal in the same post but still contest it?

You want evidence that you're breaking laws (despite admitting it's illegal) but don't want a "a paragraph if blurb with some googled statistics thrown in".

If that's the standard of your parking and driving then perhaps it would safer for all other road users if you didn't own a vehicle

peter_the_piper

This is a rare post where all the respondents actually agree with each other.
I'd love to be in the maggies court when it comes up. Book, Throw, Him At comes to mind.

matt1987

Well I am just saying why you have been given the ticket. I issue these tickets as I am a PCSO. I would have been issuing one to you if I was walking past too, especially if we had been called to deal with it!

Has it got a code as to why the ticket was issued on your FPN? Is it a 151?