Parking Ticket - for 1 minute!

[stevesey]

Got a parking ticket in a 2 hour zone today. Ticket states it was issued at 13:33 and vehicle was first seen and 13:32 - therefore the ticket (IMHO) is invalid.

Anyone any experice of trying to get an incorrectly written ticket cancelled?

 

[philharve]

Got a parking ticket in a 2 hour zone today. Ticket states it was issued at 13:33 and vehicle was first seen and 13:32 - therefore the ticket (IMHO) is invalid.

Anyone any experice of trying to get an incorrectly written ticket cancelled?

Hi steve

I was once fined GBP32.00 for overstaying my stay in a multi-storey carpark by 1 minute. The attendant was writing out the fine when I returned to my car, 1 minute late. I guess he must have been standing by my car waiting for the ticket to expire. I did appeal but 12 weeks later I duly was informed the fine had been upheld. I decided it wasn't worth fighting because a solicitor would cost more than the fine. The incident stuck in my mind though. Just back luck, I guess!

A colleague was fined GBP64.00 for overstaying his stay at a mainline railway station carpark. Actually he departed within 24 hours but the measured day ended at midnight and he arrived back at the station to pick up his car at 00.20hrs - a new day. He travelled up to London and back well within 24 hours but because the train was delayed, it arrived back at the station after midnight thus 'technically' incurring a charge for a second day. He claimed the fine back as a business expense. The 2-day parking fee was about GBP3.50. Another instance of back luck!

REGARDS

Phil

 

[stevesey]

Hi steve

I was once fined GBP32.00 for overstaying my stay in a multi-storey carpark by 1 minute. The attendant was writing out the fine when I returned to my car, 1 minute late. I guess he must have been standing by my car waiting for the ticket to expire. I did appeal but 12 weeks later I duly was informed the fine had been upheld. I decided it wasn't worth fighting because a solicitor would cost more than the fine. The incident stuck in my mind though. Just back luck, I guess!

Don't forget they have to attach the ticket to the car - it is OK to drive away before they do this - nothing they can do. Often feel like interrupting when I seen people agrueing with traffic wardens who are still writing the ticket.

P.S. I wasn't over the limit by one minute - ticket states I was first seen one minute before issue of the ticket (should have been at least 2 hours before for the ticket to be valid).

 

[verytalldave]

My guess is that they are trying it on. As you say, the ticket is invalid. I dare say some would pay without contesting or even realising and thats what its all about.
It still a pain having to go through a long drawn out thing like that anyway. If I was you, I would consider charging THEM costs for your time to process THEIR error.

 

[jberks]

I'm not familiar with 2 hour zones but I suspect the attendant is. So, I assume you've fallen foul of some regulation you're possibly not aware of. If you're sure you haven't then appeal. I have succesfully appealed several tickets over the years so it can be done, but it is hit and miss.

 

[philharve]

Don't forget they have to attach the ticket to the car - it is OK to drive away before they do this - nothing they can do. Often feel like interrupting when I seen people agrueing with traffic wardens who are still writing the ticket.

P.S. I wasn't over the limit by one minute - ticket states I was first seen one minute before issue of the ticket (should have been at least 2 hours before for the ticket to be valid).

Hi Steve

I did drive home after leaving the multi-storey without any problem. I wasn't clamped or anything like that. But I did have the fine document stuck on my window which left a residue that was difficult to get off.

The people who run the multi-storey now take a photograph of the car whose owner they intend to fine. I don't know if this is a new legal requirement but it is an extra piece of evidence if it goes to court.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[philharve]

Hi All

A thought has just occured to me. I recall reading the small print of the sign that stands beside the ticket machine, the one that itemises the tarrifs. It states that the ticket 'must be clearly displayed' which usually means stuck on the windscreen or placed on top of the facia. If it is not clearly visible, the attendant is not required to look for it and he/she will doubtless write out a fine.

There have been a couple of occasions when my ticket was not 'clearly visible' after locking & leaving my car. Neither occasion resulted in a penalty because the attendant hadn't performed a check.

The first happened when I placed the ticket on the top of the facia and when I shut the door a draught of air swept the ticket into the footwell. Of course, I didn't realise it at the time but my heart skipped a beat when I returned to my car and couldn't see the ticket. Technically I was not clearly displaying the ticket but if it went to court I could at least produce the vital evidence. However, it's the 'clearly visible' definition that gives the carpark owner the edge in court, especially if they have photographic evidence.

The second occasion was when I parked my car in the carpark and realised I hadn't change for the ticket machine. There were shops nearby so I could exchange a note for change. But in the few minutes I was away collecting my change there was a possibility that the attendant could perform a vehicle check and he would notice I wasn't displaying a ticket. Once again he could issue a fine because he would have no idea how long I had been parked and that I was intending to return shortly to buy a ticket. Fortunately an audit was not performed in the few minutes I was away from my car. But just how do prove you were out of change but intended to buy a ticket? You can't. If possible, I try to have a passenger with me if I intend to leave the car for a short period. They stay with the car in my absence. I figure that a car cannot be considerd 'parked' if it is occupied and this gives me the edge.

I have sometimes wondered if a realistic-looking dummy passenger would work in this situation but I've not the nerve to try it. Anyway, I would be risking a different kind of fine. If you remember a particular episode of Only Fools and Horses you will know what I mean.

Nowadays I make sure I have enough change in my pocket before I leave home.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[television]

.

I have sometimes wondered if a realistic-looking dummy passenger would work in this situation but I've not the nerve to try it.

REGARDS

Phil

I used to drive around with a nude shop model just nicely made up and wearing a hat and nothing else in the rear of my Humber Super Snipe

The Police asked me to remove it to stop people looking at it and having an accident

 

[stevesey]

Phoned this morning - girl at the other end acknowledged the issue, but of course she can't process/cancel over the phone. Advised to write/e-mail which I have now done - they should get back to me with 10 days.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

I used to drive around with a nude shop model just nicely made up and wearing a hat and nothing else in the rear of my Humber Super Snipe

The Police asked me to remove it to stop people looking at it and having an accident

Looking in and having an 'accident' - premature retriculation?

 

[C250TDSportAuto]

I've had a few tickets in the past, the last one being on a bank holiday monday a couple of years ago. I was 6 minutes over when i returned to the car. They must have been waiting. I appealed in writing and failed.

I thought the whole point of paying for parking was in areas where spaces are limited. On this Bank Holiday there were around 3 other cars in a 40 space car park.

Anyway, I decided i would never use pay and display again, and now always use car parks where you pay on exit.

 

[philharve]

I used to drive around with a nude shop model just nicely made up and wearing a hat and nothing else in the rear of my Humber Super Snipe

The Police asked me to remove it to stop people looking at it and having an accident

Hi Malcolm

You obviously have more nerve that I to try a stunt like that. You can see why the police would object though. If you hadn't obeyed, I wonder what they could charge you with??? Indecency in a public place? No! How about 'behaviour likely to cause an afray'?

Are there any policemen in the forum who could advise what offence Malcolm would be committing?

Nude dummies in multi-storey carparks attracts the wrong kind of attention. That reminds me of a story about a pair of dummy female legs ...

REGARDS

Phil

 

[philharve]

Phoned this morning - girl at the other end acknowledged the issue, but of course she can't process/cancel over the phone. Advised to write/e-mail which I have now done - they should get back to me with 10 days.

Hi Steve

This was exactly the same advice I received. It did no good though. I wish you luck.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[philharve]

Looking in and having an 'accident' - premature retriculation?

Hi JEZ.ML270

You had me reaching for my dictionary!

REGARDS

Phil

 

[philharve]

I've had a few tickets in the past, the last one being on a bank holiday monday a couple of years ago. I was 6 minutes over when i returned to the car. They must have been waiting. I appealed in writing and failed.

I thought the whole point of paying for parking was in areas where spaces are limited. On this Bank Holiday there were around 3 other cars in a 40 space car park.

Anyway, I decided i would never use pay and display again, and now always use car parks where you pay on exit.

Hi C250TDSportAuto

I take your point. I know of no 'pay-on-exit' carparks in my area. I just have to be extra careful.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[stevesey]

Hi Steve

This was exactly the same advice I received. It did no good though. I wish you luck.

REGARDS

Phil

But I assume your ticket was coorectly issued and stated the first seen time as the limit time + 1 minute before the issue time. On mine the first seem time is 1 minute before the issue time, therefore not worth the paper it's written on.

I'll report back when I get a response.

 

[philharve]

But I assume your ticket was coorectly issued and stated the first seen time as the limit time + 1 minute before the issue time. On mine the first seem time is 1 minute before the issue time, therefore not worth the paper it's written on.

I'll report back when I get a response.

Hi Steve

You are correct but it made no difference. Since the fine (must be 2 or 3 years ago) I've seen other drivers caught the same way. What has changed since my fine is the use of digital cameras which the attendant now carries. I expect many drivers complained and the rules were changed?

I suppose I'm lucky and don't live in an area where there is an agressive policy towards 'non-payers' or 'overstayers' who can return to find their cars clamped by over enthusiastic attendants. I wonder if they get paid a bonus for the number of victims caught this way?

REGARDS

Phil

 

[pkinsey]

Hi

You need to check who operates the car park. If it is a company that displays a sign saying "Civil Penalty applies" - don't pay up as they cannot trace you.

There is a car park in Stockport (privately operated) that changed its chargeable hours to catch all parents that take their children to early morning swimming training. They now charge from 6.00am - all others in the area start at 8 or 9.00. I and many others have had multiple tickets - just throw them away - no comeback.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Hi

.............to catch all parents that take their children to early morning swimming training...............

THAT is disgraceful ........ and socially unacceptable...:evil::evil::evil:

 

[pkinsey]

Totally agree - thats why I don't pay.