Think I may get ticket from CCTV

sparrow45

Hi, this is my 1st post, I'm very upset so please bear with me.

I ran out of fuel this morning, I had been shopping and noticed it flashing.I really thought I had enough to get home but obviously I didn't.I was right in the middle of the main road, I managed to get 2 fellas to push me over to the side of the road and I parked up but knew I was on zig zags coming up to a pedestrian crossing.I managed to mount the pavement so was not causing an obstruction.There was a single yellow line and I managed to stop just past that but as I said I was still on the zig zag.

A really nice shopkeeper came out shouting I couldn't park there and he pointed up to a CCTV camera that I hadn't ever noticed that looked like an eyeball on a pole.I explained what had happened and had to get a bus to the nearest petrol station.The fella in the garage told me I wouldn't be able to get back on the bus carrying fuel(diesel in a can) so I had to walk back.In total I think I was parked like that for 30 mins or so.

As soon as I got back in I rang the council and tried to speak to someone in their roads and pavements section but I kept on being passed around and cut off.The 3rd person I spoke to said they were pretty hot for parking there and enforcing it so I am expecting a ticket and I feel so sick.I have read all the stuff on here but don't know if running out of fuel can be classed under the getting a ticket while broken down category of mitigating circumstances.

What do you think? Has anyone had this happen to them?

HappyMJ

Technically it is your fault. You need to keep an eye on the fuel. Many councils may allow one silly infringement like this per year so it's just a matter of waiting and appealing. Keep the receipt for the 5 litres of fuel and the bus ticket for proof.

peter_the_piper

The only consolation is is that it is a council ticket and not a police one as it also has a points penalty as well.
Take a copy of any pcn you get, both sides, remove identifying bits and go on over to pepipoo.com and ask on there as well. See their stickies for how to host the pics via tinypic. You can't just post the pics on the forum.

sparrow45

Thank you.I will be holding onto my fuel receipt and bus ticket.I suppose I was just hoping if I got in there quick with the council and explained I may have been able to stop it, but I guess it doesn't work like that.I suppose it is too much to expect NOT to get a ticket bearing in mind where I had to park:(.Thanks again for your prompt replies.

esmerobbo

Was this in London? Did you park totally on the pavement adjacent to the zigzags or were your wheels on the zigzags?

AlexisV

Do you reset your mileometer as soon as your light comes on? In most cars you've got 20-30 miles left before it runs out of fuel and you can see how many miles you've done on the fuel light.

It's good practice.

sparrow45

Hi, yes, it was half on pavement, half off and it was in a London borough.

sparrow45

No, I haven't ever reset my milometer but that's a good tip, thank you.

Coupon-mad

peter_the_piper wrote: »

The only consolation is is that it is a council ticket and not a police one as it also has a points penalty as well.
Take a copy of any pcn you get, both sides, remove identifying bits and go on over to pepipoo.com and ask on there as well. See their stickies for how to host the pics via tinypic. You can't just post the pics on the forum.

As PTP says, definitely post on pepipoo.com forums here if you get a camera PCN, it's not criminal charge and can be appealed:

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showforum=30

Read some threads - there is a recent one about breaking down on zig-zags. But do not add your question to that thread, wait till you get a PCN (if you do) and register and start your own once you have read a bit on there. If starting a thread you need to show the paperwork ands place you were parked, so read the FAQs and 'how to post pictures' if you do get a PCN.

esmerobbo

As advised wait to see if a PCN arrives, then post on Pepipoo. The reason I asked about where the car was is although yellow lines are in force from the middle of the road to any boundary, it would seem that zigzags are only covered between them. So in theory you can park on the pavement outside the zigzags!
However since it was London pavements are a no no anyway!
As C-M says CCTV PCN's are nearly always flawed,if it is the chaps on Pepipoo will tell you.

My daughter has a foolproof way of never running out of petrol, when she is low, she takes my car and leaves me hers!:p

Taiko

Imagine Pepipoo will suggest the CCTV used when it could have been patrolled argument, or something similar. My memory is hazed from a shedload of queuing on the M6.