Contravention Code 32d

n360

Hello,

I received a PCN from Westminster City Council for failing to drive in the direction shown by the arrow on a blue sign - proceeding in the wrong direction. Code 32d.

The location was Shaftesbury Avenue (near Piccadilly Circus). I do not remember seeing the arrow on blue sign but do remember seeing bus lane sign upon entering. At that time, I had realized my mistake and thought to rectify but it was too late since another car was behind me. After checking googlemaps streetview, I can see that before this bus lane that I mistakenly entered, there were traffic lights with blue arrow sign indicating to turn left.

I do agree that I made a mistake of entering the bus lane. The reason was absolute road confusion. It was past midnight and the weather conditions caused me to panic on the roads of Central London. The rain was so heavy that I could not see any road surface arrows (white road surface markings). It is a shame that when roads were wet and flooded the markings fail to be visible and since, I am from another city, I am not familiar with the roads. Therefore at that time, I was more concentrated to ensure to be on the right side, so that no major accident is caused. This entire panicking caused me to miss the arrow sign on the signal lights and eventually upon entering I saw the blue bus & cycle sign. I felt extremely miserable in that situation and knew that I had made mistake. The only option could have been to reverse the car out but had another car behind me.

I am here to seek an advise whether my situation of road confusion can help with appeal against this PCN.

I look forward to your suggestions.

Thanks
N360

marcarm

Personally, I would say no.

If you are that confused, you should pull over until you are not, being confused while driving is not a good thing.

And I'm not sure how the roads being flooded meant you missed the arrow on the lights? You must have seen the lights to know they are green so you can go?

davidwood681

Nope, pay up and move on

waamo

You will get much better advice from here http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showforum=30

AdrianC

n360 wrote: »

I received a PCN from Westminster City Council for failing to drive in the direction shown by the arrow on a blue sign - proceeding in the wrong direction. Code 32d.

The location was Shaftesbury Avenue (near Piccadilly Circus).


there were traffic lights with blue arrow sign indicating to turn left.

I do agree that I made a mistake of entering the bus lane.

Sounds like bang-to-rights. Pay the PCN.

The reason was absolute road confusion. It was past midnight and the weather conditions caused me to panic on the roads of Central London. The rain was so heavy that I could not see any road surface arrows (white road surface markings).

Was the road so flooded that the sign on the traffic lights was underwater, too?


That's not a reason, it's an excuse.

I am here to seek an advise whether my situation of road confusion can help with appeal against this PCN.

No.

caprikid1

As stated bang to rights, London is a nightmare to drive around. Luckily nothing happened in terms of an accident , hitting a pedestrian etc. I guess be thankful for the warning.


Maybe a better SAT Nav could help next time or simply avoid London at night and use public transport.

pogofish

Get yourself over to Pepipoo - sign-up with something other than hotmail read the intro info before starting to post in the correct forum and be ready to provide all the info they ask for - incl redacted scans of all paperwork and you will get the very best help there is.

System

n360 wrote: »

. It is a shame that when roads were wet and flooded the markings fail to be visible and since, I am from another city, I am not familiar with the roads. Therefore at that time, I was more concentrated to ensure to be on the right side, so that no major accident is caused.

Not a defence. If anything you should be far more observant and less likely to miss them than a local and if you miss them it is because you are driving too fast for the level of skill you have and the amount of signs etc that you needed to observe. I drive trucks all over the UK, I've driven into central London as a car driver and I come from a small East Yorkshire town with a population just 1/700th that of London, not even a city like you so there are no such things as bus lanes where I live and manage not to fall foul of things like this or bus lanes. You didn't miss seeing the traffic lights so you must have seen the blue arrow.