Parking FAQ?

[dave]

Does anyone with better knowledge that me want to knock up a quick parking FAQ for this section?

I think it could be very useful. I would do it, but I don't know enough about it.

[pcr1]

What sort of thing are you looking for? Regulations, loopholes, all of the above?

Regulations are as straightforward as where you can and can't park, plus police powers for obstruction. Most of this is in the Highway Code but I guess could be bullet pointed.

Other things such as: single yellow lines aren't enforceable without a timeplate, double yellows aren't enforceable unless they're completely unbroken and have a T-bar at each end, and if you drive off from a parking attendant issuing a ticket then you've got away with it, but try the same with a Traffic Warden and they can just report you by post.

I don't know a massive amount about parking legislation but I've picked up a bit. I guess I'm saying I've got a few answers but I don't know what the questions are!

[dave]

That's exactly the stuff I'm looking for!!

Questions could be like:

Q.I have parked on a double yellow line but there is a broken T-Bar at the end. Is the fine still enforcable?



etc...

[deemacperth]

I'll put some together as well.

[pcr1]

Q. I have been given a parking ticket but the line markings are broken, faded, incomplete or I have parked on a single yellow line and there is no timeplate indicating its times of operation. Is it enforceable?

No. The ticket is only enforceable if the markings and signs are as prescribed. Single and double yellow lines are not allowed any variation under the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002.

It is advised you quote case law on this; check this out for more information:
Double Yellows and T Bars - FightBack Forums
Parking Tickets - Legal Defence? - FightBack Forums


This aggregates the information a little, if you can bear the straying off topic to talk about when it is and is not OK to break the law!
Contesting a parking ticket - no t-bar.


Q. If I drive off while I'm being issued a ticket, is it enforceable?

Traffic Wardens can enforce parking purely from viewing the offence and writing up a ticket later, so driving away will not help you.

Parking attendants have to serve the ticket onto your vehicle, so you can leg it.


Q. How can I tell the difference between a parking attendant and a Traffic Warden?

The easiest way is to read their hat! Alternatively, Traffic Wardens generally wear uniforms similar in style to Police (they are employed by Police) with caps with a yellow band. Parking attendants wear uniforms that look a little less like Police and generally have blue bands in their caps.

WORK IN PROGRESS - I'LL EDIT THIS POST AS I GET MORE INFORMATION

[dave]

Fantastic - when there's a few more, I'll *sticky* it.

Cheers!

Q. If I punch a traffic warden in the face and bundle him into the back of a van like in Lock Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels, will the court let me off lightly?

A. Probably. Even a judge must have had a ticket or two in his life.


....only joking. No offence meant to traffic wardens

[jonni2bad]

Originally Posted by dave

......only joking. No offence meant to traffic wardens

or Judges

[seylectric]

I will do my best to find some time to add to this. The regs and laws are so open to interpretation that every case is potentially different and I'm not sure an FAQ thing would sort it. There are a million scenarios and questions.

I'm trying to find the time to produce a general guide, with links to info elsewhere that will help rather than a "tell me your problem and I will fix it" type of thing. All the info we need is out there folks, we need to work together to familiarise ourselves with it and help ourselves and each other.

Quick fix? Not here. Make the best of the info currently available, add to it when you can. We'll get there, but don't expect an easy ride. If that's too daunting for you, pay up. Not recommended, but it's up to you.

[dw190]

Q. How can I tell the difference between a parking attendant and a Traffic Warden?

This is answered by abreviating their titles.

PA is a Parking Regulation Attendant

TW is a Traffic Warden Attendant

[seylectric]

Just to clarify the above, Traffic wardens are employed by the police and Parking Attendants by the council, often via a private company.

This is because we have this ludicrous 2-tier system where parking enforcement is in some areas still controlled by the police and in others it has been decriminalised and is controlled by the local council.

[dw190]

Originally Posted by seylectric

Just to clarify the above, Traffic wardens are employed by the police and Parking Attendants by the council, often via a private company.

This is because we have this ludicrous 2-tier system where parking enforcement is in some areas still controlled by the police and in others it has been decriminalised and is controlled by the local council.

Correct

[liatoby]

does anyone know if bromley councils parking attendance have to be wearing their hats in order to issue tickets??????
thanx

[patdavies]

Originally Posted by pcr1

Q. If I drive off while I'm being issued a ticket, is it enforceable?

Traffic Wardens can enforce parking purely from viewing the offence and writing up a ticket later, so driving away will not help you.

Parking attendants have to serve the ticket onto your vehicle, so you can leg it.

It has to be affixed to the vehicle or handed to a person they believe to be the driver.

It is absolutely not enough for them to chuck it on the bonnet as you are driving off - this is not affixed.

[bribri]

I found this document.

http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/upl...nforcement.pdf

It seems to answer some questions/misconceptions e.g. about whether PAs need to wear a hat. They don't.

I don't know, however, whether any elements have been superceded by PATAS adjudications.

[JOSH_IOU]

As much as i despise people who cant find a proper job and have to resort to issuing traffic tickets. It dose get hot and those hats can get awfully hot.

As long as the officer is in uniform or he is clearly on Duty then yes he can.