francis Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 Hi there guys, Well as the title probably suggests I just got a parking ticket... I'd left the supe for two hours which I paid in the meter and returned 2 minutes late to the car (as per the meter) to find a traffic warden filling out a ticket on his handheld computer. He told me that I was too late and he had already put it through the system, and then printed out the ticket. He made me wait whilst he put it on the windscreen and then took several photos of the car and the meter which was now at 4 minutes overdue. First of all I've heard a few stories such as they have to see the car in the space for 5 minutes parked "illegally" before they are entitled to ticket it. I've also heard that until they put the fine on your windscreen it doesn't technically count (should I have got in the car and driven off before he could have? - was he being sneaky getting me to wait?). I'm not sure what to believe, does anyone know the law on these issues (or any other rights drivers are entitled to + heplful tips?) or perhaps someone can point me to a website with good information? I'm going to try to contest the ticket, as I was at a psychiatric ward (as a student not a patient ) which operates a locked door policy and the receptionist had gone AWOL Does anyone have any tips in this area? Finally thought I'd lay a few of my own pearls of wisdom since it feels like I've made practically every parking booboo there is possible... 1) In central London, and probably in most places, don't for one minute think you can get away with parking on a double yellow, half in a residents bay half on the zig-zaggy bit before a zebra crossing or anywhere else where you're not technically allowed to park, no matter what the time (yep that includes 2am in the morning)... I found out the hard way after having my car towed at 1:20am after leaving it outside for just 20 minutes! They have 24 hour patrol cars these days looking for the next easy target to get £200 out of! 2) Don't assume bank holidays are the same as Sunday's, in most borough's they're not and they make an absolute killing. 3) Always check the restriction times on yellow lines as I've seen them go up to 8pm, and possibly later... Also check if there are any loading restrictions, these can be indicated by yellow lines across the pavement stones.... Also beware on Saturday's, some places in my borough allow you to park on single yellow after 1:30pm but it's not everywhere and it's not even properly sign posted in most cases. 4) As the story above probably illustrates, don't think you can get away with a couple of minutes on the meter, they are extremely efficient and will catch you out - the fact you've missed the meter by a couple of minutes will infuriate you even more! 5) Don't forget to pay your congestion charge, it's incredibly efficient and you WILL get a fine if you don't pay. I quite honestly forgot to pay one time and if you don't pay by 12pm it's £50 (probably more now :thumbdown ) - also if you pay between 10pm-12pm I believe the charge is double, so get it in early. Will think of more and add later... I'm begining to think the best thing is simply not to drive in London Regards, Francis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 well you get the award for the longest post this year lol. In my experience mate there isnt anything you can do. Where i live just down the road is the HQ for the west london traffic wardens. They come out of one building like bees from a nest and they sit and wait for cars to run out then just ticket them. They have cameras and scooters now. What i wanna do is get a tank and knock a few of them over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terribleturner Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 From past expereince i would have driven off without him taking a picture. Then when the letter arrived i would have said i was nowhere near that location on that time/date and i have proof where i/the car was. Did it with my bike and got away with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pig Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 Its up to you, i normally pay ticket but my step mum just waits for the ones that come through saying they will take you to court. double the fine but hardly any of them actually come through! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
francis Posted November 18, 2005 Author Share Posted November 18, 2005 I've paid out about 600 quid in the last two years over parking fines and it's making me sick The last one I contested actually got nullified so there is some merit to doing it... I don't know about waiting it out, I'm sure they'd be right around with the tow-truck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
francis Posted November 25, 2005 Author Share Posted November 25, 2005 Just found this article: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,588-1044069,00.html Has some useful info in it. Looks like if you drive away before they can put it on your windscreen then it's not valid, what a sneaky bastard making me stay so he could take a photo. Very useful information for everyone to know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ark Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 ... I'm begining to think the best thing is simply not to drive in London Regards, Francis HAHAHA! A conclusion I came to about 10 years ago - forget Red Ken and his anti-car pogrom! The road system's just crap and too busy. Actually, that statement sums up everything about London - move away to somewhere nice where you can actually breath (and drive!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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