Need a bit of advice re fixed penatly notice

aaron0288 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Karma :

The other night I went into town to see some friends for a drink. Parked on a quiet side road which wasn't lit, and came back to my bike to find a fixed penalty notice for parking in a 'No Waiting' zone (why it's a no waiting zone is beyond me). Was issued by a PCSO.

It was wedged in my steering column, and it was pretty windy that night. What are the chances of me being able to play ignorant and then when the time comes, saying it must have blown away? Or even arguing that the road was unlit (it was literally pitch black) so there was no way I could've seen the no waiting sign?
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Appeal it. Nothing to lose although I doubt you'll be successful.
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1198 · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Jan 2013 Karma :

aaron0288 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Karma :

I suppose what I really should've asked was if I were to leave it and play ignorant, what would the implications be? Would it really be worth it over a £30 fine?
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Past bikes - 1991 NC30 - 1991 Bandit 400 - 1989 CBR400 NC23 - 1993 NC30 - 1991 ZXR400 L1 - 1993 NC30 - 2003 CBR600RR3 - 2003 Ducati 900SS - 2000 SP1 - 2013 899 Panigale
Current bikes - 2013 Street Triple R + 2006 R6 + 2003 SV1000S

sabian92 · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Karma :

Ignore it, when you get a court date look up the weather here and hope they let you off.

Might shaft you, might not. If you don't really care about £30 then pay it as it's no points anyway.

Golgarth · Nova Slayer Joined: 09 Apr 2013 Karma :

appeal it, but it really isn't worth the hassle. Apathy is the easiest course.

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

What signs were present?
What road markings were present?
Where they correct as per the statute(s)? (search on here or the interwebnet for related stuff).

...but if you find you a FPN I'd appeal it as a matter of course.
Many police and pcso think they have the power to do stuff when in fact the signs are incorrect and they really, really shouldn't. Otherwise it just looks like they're abusing their powers and further damaging their reputation.

Starting point for signs etc. have a look at this pdf (clicky link).
The lines etc. described in that must be a specific size, width, etc. For that have a look at Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 (TSRGD 2002).
It's online - click here for pdf or here to view online.
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JP7 · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Dec 2008 Karma :

Pretending you never got it won't make it go away. It's a notice issued by a PCSO so it would be a prosecution rather than civil court. If you ignore it, the likely outcome would be a court summons, where you'd get court costs added to the £30.

It's up to you. If you think you have grounds to go not guilty, go for it. But I suspect that the fact it was dark may be a little thin.

aaron0288 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Karma :

Yeah I've been thinking the same. Will probably cause more hassle than it's worth. Don't like giving in to the powers that be but I really can't be arsed at the mo. At the end of the day, I shouldn't have stopped there. Thanks all for your input.
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Past bikes - 1991 NC30 - 1991 Bandit 400 - 1989 CBR400 NC23 - 1993 NC30 - 1991 ZXR400 L1 - 1993 NC30 - 2003 CBR600RR3 - 2003 Ducati 900SS - 2000 SP1 - 2013 899 Panigale
Current bikes - 2013 Street Triple R + 2006 R6 + 2003 SV1000S

Wobbling Dog · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 12 Mar 2013 Karma :

i got a ticket in a loading bay at ONE IN THE MORNING !!! a month or two back. appealed for the hell of it,ended up paying the £30. but added the council to my list of assassination targets to cheer myself up.

jeddy11 · Traffic Copper Joined: 06 Jul 2012 Karma :

I would guarantee that for a pcso or an officer for that matter to come along that late and put a ticket on your bike is because some busybody hasn't liked you parking there and has complained..

They wouldn't just target your bike as that's the job of the traffic wardens.
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MC · Banned Joined: 01 Apr 2013 Karma :

Got off mine because the traffic low life warden scum nazi (think that's what they're called) didn't submit the correct evidence. It was worth appealing as I could still pay the reduced rate if I lost with that particular council (£60 rather than £120), and I doubt the ticket would have been cancelled if I didn't.
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Wobbling Dog · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 12 Mar 2013 Karma :

aaron0288 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Karma :

@Jeddy11

Considering the area I was in, that really wouldn't surprise me.
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Past bikes - 1991 NC30 - 1991 Bandit 400 - 1989 CBR400 NC23 - 1993 NC30 - 1991 ZXR400 L1 - 1993 NC30 - 2003 CBR600RR3 - 2003 Ducati 900SS - 2000 SP1 - 2013 899 Panigale
Current bikes - 2013 Street Triple R + 2006 R6 + 2003 SV1000S

tahrey · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 Jul 2010 Karma :

Wobbling Dog · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 12 Mar 2013 Karma :

dave666 · Nova Slayer Joined: 01 Sep 2012 Karma :

You just admitted you shouldn't have parked there...man up and pay it

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Wobbling Dog · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 12 Mar 2013 Karma :

MattEMulsion · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Karma :

I got a parking ticket once in my car. As mad as I was about it, to be fair I was in the wrong, no two ways about it. I could have appealed it but what's the point, they had me bang to rights. At the end of the day it was £30 and easier to just pay up and learn my lesson. Sometimes its just not worth the hassle...
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iooi · Super Spammer Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Karma :

multijoy · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2008 Karma :

First, establish if this is a 'Penalty Charge Notice' or a 'Fixed Penalty Notice' (which PCSOs can issue).

If it's the former, appeal it. If it's the latter, opt for a court hearing. If it is the latter, you must either pay it or appeal it lest you end up with a non-payment of fines warrant and wind up getting nicked when you least expect it.

The council you can string along practically forever, but the courts are less impressed with those tactics. I'd be surprised if it is an FPN, but wonders never cease.
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gavbriggs · Crazy Courier Joined: 11 Jun 2013 Karma :

have a look through this fellas videos, hes rather amusing and gets his tickets scrapped:

https://www.youtube.com/user/61shirley