Council Traffic Penalty (Stopping in yellow traffic box)

Veneer

Hi, I was recently issued a fine from a Council of an area in london. :mad:

I have read the sticky on parking fines, council vs private etc.. However, this is a unique offence which I didn't know was actively enforced (unlike speeding/traffic lights/parking).

It was for stopping in a "yellow box" at a traffic junction... :T

It is a penalty for £130, reduced to £65 if paid in 14 days.:money:

They have got footage/pictures of me lingering on the border of a "yellow box" for about 4 seconds.

However I wish to appeal this, and have come to this forum for advice !

What can/should I say with regards to this in order for them to overturn it.

Can I use any of the following points?

Firstly, there was no signage for "traffic enforcement cameras" in the area, 100% sure of this, as I was actively looking out for "congestion zone" signage at the time.

Is this a valid point? because as far as I know, with speeding and traffic light cameras, there needs to be signage within a certain distance of the camera.

Secondly - The traffic was horrendous, and I believed that I would actually clear the yellow box, but ended up stopping on its peripheries. My misjudgement could be attributed to the uneven road, which did not allow me to clearly see the edge of the box. AFAIK Road maintenance falls under the auspices of the council, so technically its their fault!

Thirdly - The penalty exceeds the offense, its ludicrous to ask for so much, for something that isn't even serious.. I understand the need for speeding enforcement, in order to maximise public safety. To an extent, I understand the need for parking enforcement in certain areas (i.e. Picadilly circus). This just looks a creative way to generate more funds for the local council during times of austerity.

Finally - I actually reside in Wales, which is technically another country, is there anyway I can use this technicality to my advantage and make this as difficult as possible for them.

Right now... I would like nothing more, than to kick them in the crotch, and watch them cry and wheeze like a fat kid on sports day...... BUT, I am trying to do this in a civil manner :A , and have come to you guys for much needed wisdom.

Many Thanks, Anonymous!

maninthestreet

Wales is NOT a separate country, it's part of the UK!

esmerobbo

Pepipoo is the place for this, a GSV would be good, and post up both sides of the PCN.

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

Marktheshark

based on that lot, I would start saving £130 up.
You are not even supposed to drive in to it unless the exit is clear, following traffic blindly is a costly mistake, you will see the experts stop and wait for a space at the other side and any horn pappers behind can go ****

wiogs

maninthestreet wrote: »

Wales is NOT a separate country, it's part of the UK!

Doesn't mean it can't have different laws

maninthestreet

wiogs wrote: »

Doesn't mean it can't have different laws

The Road Traffic Act applies to Wales in the same way as it applies in England.

Veneer

Yeah I know Wales is still part of the UK, but its not in England, and this is an English Council. Is there anyway I could use this?

If this was a police fine, I would agree that it being wales would make little difference, but this was issued by the council and isnt a criminal matter.

I normally do clear the box, but I was visiting london, and had been stuck in traffic for about 3 hours, and was just blindly following traffic... but as they say, once bitten, twice shy.

Is there any recourse for this? for instance lack of signage?

wiogs

Veneer wrote: »

Hi, I was recently issued a fine from a Council of an area in london. :mad:

I have read the sticky on parking fines, council vs private etc.. However, this is a unique offence which I didn't know was actively enforced (unlike speeding/traffic lights/parking). Unique offence - hilarious

It was for stopping in a "yellow box" at a traffic junction... :T

It is a penalty for £130, reduced to £65 if paid in 14 days.:money:

They have got footage/pictures of me lingering on the border of a "yellow box" for about 4 seconds.

However I wish to appeal this, and have come to this forum for advice !

What can/should I say with regards to this in order for them to overturn it.

Can I use any of the following points?

Firstly, there was no signage for "traffic enforcement cameras" in the area, 100% sure of this, as I was actively looking out for "congestion zone" signage at the time.

Is this a valid point? because as far as I know, with speeding and traffic light cameras, there needs to be signage within a certain distance of the camera.

Secondly - The traffic was horrendous, and I believed that I would actually clear the yellow box, but ended up stopping on its peripheries. My misjudgement could be attributed to the uneven road, which did not allow me to clearly see the edge of the box. AFAIK Road maintenance falls under the auspices of the council, so technically its their fault! even funnier

Thirdly - The penalty exceeds the offense, its ludicrous to ask for so much, for something that isn't even serious.. I understand the need for speeding enforcement, in order to maximise public safety. To an extent, I understand the need for parking enforcement in certain areas (i.e. Picadilly circus). This just looks a creative way to generate more funds for the local council during times of austerity. Pointless

Finally - I actually reside in Wales, which is technically another country, is there anyway I can use this technicality to my advantage and make this as difficult as possible for them. You are not a foreigner though in this case

Right now... I would like nothing more, than to kick them in the crotch, and watch them cry and wheeze like a fat kid on sports day...... BUT, I am trying to do this in a civil manner :A , and have come to you guys for much needed wisdom. Getting a fine for breaking the rules seems to arouse anger issues in you. Maybe an anger management course might be of benefit.

Many Thanks, Anonymous!

Not withstanding the above - get over to pepipoo.

Oh, and get a copy of the highway code.

wiogs

maninthestreet wrote: »

The Road Traffic Act applies to Wales in the same way as it applies in England.

True but my point was that different countries within the UK have different laws, albeit not in this case.

Veneer

Wiogs, I see that you didn't pick apart my first point about signage. Is this worth pursuing. I am pretty certain there are rules about traffic enforcement cameras having clear signage.

with the last point, it was said in jest, but if it had no repercussions, and the opportunity to do so arose, I would not hesitate to do so Councils should be dealing with real matters, not wasting their time policing petty infringements. Its so petty the police cant even be bothered with it!

There are a lot of rules, some of which are so trivial they are not enforced, and people generally don't follow. In all my years of driving, I was not aware this was one that was enforced.

wiogs

Have you asked the questions on pepipoo as advised?

That is where people who deal with this sort of thing hang out.

Maybe while waiting for an answer you can compile a list of "petty infringements" that you feel entitled to ignore.