Parked up the car this morning @ a parking bay thats residents only 1-2pm (thought I'd be out in time so didn't bother getting out the green badge). Patient was sick so case took longer than planned, got back @ 1.02pm to find a traffic warden next to my car. Fair enough thinks I, I'll explain what the situation is and jobs a good un. Traffic warden is on the phone speaking to his mate who apparantly has a hangover and Mr Warden is checking his mate's stomach ache isn't too bad. I go to say something and he gesticulates that he's on the phone and I have to wait [at this point I should have driven off, preferably over him]. I stand around like a lemon waiting to explain the situation, thinking he'll say "fair enough, you were only 2 minutes late". Three minutes later, whilst still on the phone, presses the button gives me the ticket. I go to say WTF and he just says "whatever" and walks off..... Just hope he never comes in to my surgery looking for help and understanding from me......

complain about him, tell them the green badge was on the car, but he was too busy on the phone to his mate (which is probably paid for by the council) to check properly.

that that you returned to your car at 1 minute to 1, by which time he was standing on the phone, you tried to talk to him, he refused to as he was on the phone, told you to wait so that it would take you just past 1pm, and thats when he gave you the ticket. he delayed you on purpose in order that he could give you ticket.

or a bit of both

I'd report the g1t for making a personal phone call during work hours and debate the exact time that the ticket was issued - if its a work owned phone then they might be interested to check his phone calls.

Thinking about it - there should be a phone number on the ticket. Ring and make a complaint about it, mention doctor, parking ticket, personal phone calls and newspapers as mentioned and see get a stopwatch out to see if you can break a record for fastest "waived" fine

[Edited on 29/10/07 by Paul TigerB6]

Both of ^^^, if you don't get anywhere threaten to talk to the papers about it, they love that kind of thing.

Parking is a bit of a problem outside my office. I pay a large amount of money for a permit to park there.

Visitors can park for up to ten minutes but that's all. I cheer the traffic wardens when they ticket someone who takes the p*ss and overstays - the chances are they are taking the only space left for people who have a right to park there.

So sorry to hear about your misfortune, but if you have a badge which would have avoided getting a ticket then really perhaps you should have displayed it?

As a general point - most traffic wardens round here are pretty fair and will give someone a few minutes grace. They do however have a duty to keep the streets free of illegal parkers. I think illegal parking is a much worse social crime than say speeding as it directly affects people who are entitled to park or it causes an obstruction which inconveniences loads of people and impedes traffic flow.

oops I seem to have started to rant

I'll get me coat

Cheers

Mark

There's no call for impoliteness. His "whatever" is unacceptable.

You admitted your own guilt but not butting the badge in the screen. I've been cought out by "I didn't think I'd be that long" myself. Annoying isn't it. Wherever there is a traffic warden involved, its best to do things properly.

..and people wonder why parking wardens have a bad name.

That kind of attitude really winds me up so i definitely complain and cause as much raucus as possible. Your local newspaper would definitely be interested in a story like this

quote:

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Originally posted by Duncan_P
..and people wonder why parking wardens have a bad name.

That kind of attitude really winds me up so i definitely complain and cause as much raucus as possible. Your local newspaper would definitely be interested in a story like this

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quote:

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Originally posted by mookaloid
So sorry to hear about your misfortune, but if you have a badge which would have avoided getting a ticket then really perhaps you should have displayed it?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Paul TigerB6

quote:

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Originally posted by mookaloid
So sorry to hear about your misfortune, but if you have a badge which would have avoided getting a ticket then really perhaps you should have displayed it?

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There you go Ben - next time you have a medical emergency then remember to get your priorities right and spend that extra time ensuring you get your badge out and check all signs regarding parking properly!!

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I know I was silly not to put the green badge up but to be honest I'm always a bit wary of doing so. You have to write the address of the place you're visiting on a bit of card and hang it under the badge. Kind of breaches rules of confidentiality rather.... Still, the amount of curtain twitching going on round here I guess most people know when someone gets a visit anyway!!!

If he had been matter of fact and professional I wouldn't have minded (though I still would complain to the council!). It was more the fact that had I just jumped in the car and driven off I would have been okay because he wouldn't have had time to serve the notice properly. But, seeing that I wanted to explain, he used this against me to make me wait long enough to serve the notice. Cretinous little floater......

I will, of course, give them a ring and make sure they know exactly what details I'll be going to the local newspaper with

I recently got a ticket in Rochester because it wasn't clear where the car park ended and the street parking began, if I was local maybe I'd have know but there are two machines owned by the same coucil that charge the same rates. The only difference is that one ticket says "doust street" and the other says "something yard car park" I was displaying a ticket and got booked at 8am on a saturday when the place was deserted. No fupping way am I paying.

I think I'd fight your case in that situation too Benzene.... After all, you've paid the appropriate rate and you've attempted to pay. Unless the sign says "Pay + Display. Road X machine only" you've surely done nothing wrong....

I would wright exactly what you have said in your original post and take it into the local council office and ask to see someone who can take rescipt / ownership of your letter problem confirm that you didnt display your badge due to confidentiality.

A letter from your 'Patient if possible' backing up your need for the unexpected / extended visit.

PS if they handed the ticket to you have they any proof that you were the driver / owner of the car ? ( I thought this was the reason they have to stick it to the windscreen and photograph it stuck there ).

In my mind he should have been doing his job not on the Phone !!!

regards

Agriv8

You could email them a link to this forum and thread, might pick up as few more members as well as ensuring complete exoneration.

You didn't say which car you were driving at the time, if I was a traffic warden I would definitely take the make and model into account if I was judging a borderline case

I agree with all above, but bear in mind that you will rarely win against a traffic warden.

It will come down to why didn't you display your permit.

Pat...

I agree with blakep82.
I have never had any problems with traffic wardens (we park on double yellows A LOT ). The only time i have had a problem is when i stopped on yellows outside a loo because my van doesnt fit under most car park height restrictions and i REALLY needed to go but even then i just got a warning.