Parking Tickets Question....

[nutty]

Just out of interest, are parking attendants allowed to park their scooters illegally whilst issuing tickets?

n.b. wasn't me that got the ticket, but I witnessed this and need to settle the discussion myself and wife consequently had about whether it was fair or not that the scooter parked on the same yellow line he was ticketing for :)

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Great question - I was similarly done in Bermondsey while the attendant's car was illegally parked.

[kford]

Very good point. I know that they have to have their cap (and not their helmet) on when issuing a PCN. Worth snapping them on your phone or with a digital camera for any appeals. And as long as the ticket isn't issued (placed on) the vehicle, it's not valid under the 'the offence did not take place' caveat.

[*Bob*]

The next time you get stopped for speeding by a police car, you could always try telling the officer in question that he was speeding as well.

[nutty]

Not *quite* the same Bob :)

Anyway - here's the picture of said parked scooter, clearly on yellow line, with unfortunate ticketed beamer in front...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1046/1359677123_e9689b48b5.jpg?v=0

There were actually plenty of non-yellow line spaces for the scooter within a stones throw - I think he was just being lazy....

[SeanMacGabhann]

it is *pretty* much the same, surely?

Can't see the pic so if it shows it not on the yellow line, apologies. But apart from that I'm not sure what the problem is ?

[*Bob*]

Hee Hee..

There can't be too many perks to be had in the noble occupation of parking enforcement (unless you're in it for the uniforms), but I would have thought that being temporarily exempt from the laws you're there to enforce in order to do as much enforcing as quickly as possibly - might be one of them.

[macroban]

Can a scooter with a L-Plate be used for "business purposes"?

[Ant]

macroban Wrote:

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> Can a scooter with a L-Plate be used for "business

> purposes"?

Blimey, if not then every pizza place for miles around would surely go under!

[nutty]

As I said - ticket wasn't me - just made me wonder. I think it makes sense they can park wherever, as long as it's not dangerous, which near the junction as this was you *could* argue that it was.

Anyway - just a discussion point.... seems like we need a parkie to give us the definitive answer

[Domitianus]

I was once arrested for assault, GBH and criminal damage. The copper who wrestled me to the ground bruised my elbow, broke one of my false nails and scratched my watch. Same thing surely!

[nutty]

still no answer to the actual question then....

[LostThePlot]

I'll get in touch with the council about this, in my professional capacity, and see what answers I get. I'll keep you posted.

[Brendan]

I know coppers are exempt from the Highway Code. They are subject to internal disciplinary action if they break it but not criminal prosecution. I don't think the same applies to the council?s hired revenue collecting henchmen though. They are a private business so should have to abide by the same laws as everyone else.

Best check though. Perhaps the Citizen?s Advice Bureau may be able to shed some light on the matter.

[kford]

Coppers are only exempt from the highway code when on a call, i.e. with their blues & twos on. Otherwise they have to adhere to the same rules as us. Except they don't.

[spadetownboy]

kford Wrote:

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> Coppers are only exempt from the highway code when

> on a call, i.e. with their blues & twos on.

> Otherwise they have to adhere to the same rules as

> us. Except they don't.

there are certain levels of calls the emergency services get called out for and it is only the highest priority calls ie were there is a threat to life that they are allowed to activate blues and twos and even then only if it is an appropriately trained response driver and not all are trained to this standard. even then they are still subject to the highway code as they are not allowed to jump lights, speed, travel up the wrong side of the road etc unless they are in a safe position to do so and not cause harm to others. there is a certain level of expection of behalf of the public in this regard ie if a squad car is barrelling down the road at 70mph with full lights and sirens, then it is expected that the road is kept clear and space made for them to pass, it is an offence not to do so. they are also subject to parking restrictions like the rest of us again excepting emergency situations and i would assume that that they said same restrictions would also apply to traffic wardens. the only misconception that always seems to be bandied about is, that it is illegal to issue a ticket or to arrest someone when not wearing headgear not true,you can be nicked or receive a ticket regardless of whether the issuer is hatless or not as the case may be.

[Narnia]

My Mrs. got a ticket on LL on Thursday not realising she was parked illegally i.e. after the time one could park legally. However, she pleaded with the wardens her case without any success but did take the reg number of the car they were using which itself was illegally parked. We will cough up the fine as she made an honest mistake, but what about the wardens who were also illegally parked? Can they be sanctioned?

[KalamityKel]

Warrington Council have a statement on their website with regards to parking attendants...

"Can parking attendants break the parking rules to issue tickets?

Parking attendants are given special dispensation to park in contravention of parking rules only where absolutely necessary to undertake their duties of enforcement - and only where the safety of other road users is not compromised further than already exists."

One would assume this applied to all boroughs mayb?