Sometimes you do get your money back
Discussion
The Telegraph online said:
Ian Pemble, 67, paid the £30 penalty after council officers sent him photos of his vehicle apparently breaking the law.
However, when he asked for further evidence he was sent a video which showed that seconds after he moved into the lane two fire engines raced past him.
Mr Pemble appealed against the fine and was issued with a refund by Bristol City Council, who have apologised.
They admitted that officers issued the penalty without fully considering the circumstances on the A4 in Bristol last month.
The music journalist said: "I knew I was in the area but I wasn't sure whether I had just nipped into the lane at the last moment.
"The pictures got me thinking about where they put the cameras and whether they are at the end purposefully to catch people out.
"I paid my fine. But I was so annoyed with them, and I know my rights, so I asked for more evidence.
"And it was lucky I did because when they sent through the video, it clearly shows me moving out of the way of two fire engines."
Mr Pemble, from St. Annes, Bristol, added: "I nearly fell off my chair when I saw the video for the first time - it came as quite a surprise.
"I was absolutely delighted to find I was squeaky clean and a good boy. You can't have a better excuse than that."
Council spokeswoman Kate Hartas said: "The council is to refund Mr Pemble's penalty charge.
"The team have reviewed the footage, and it is clear that he had moved into the bus lane for a fire engine.
"Actions by motorists to allow access for emergency services occur regularly, and they are normally picked up when the footage is examined prior to a PCN being issued.
"However, it was missed in this instance in error. We will write to Mr Pemble to apologise." She added: "Motorists who believe they have received a penalty in error should always appeal. The council is happy to review any case, and cancel the charge where appropriate."
I am surprised that the Council considered the matter after the penalty had been paid.However, when he asked for further evidence he was sent a video which showed that seconds after he moved into the lane two fire engines raced past him.
Mr Pemble appealed against the fine and was issued with a refund by Bristol City Council, who have apologised.
They admitted that officers issued the penalty without fully considering the circumstances on the A4 in Bristol last month.
The music journalist said: "I knew I was in the area but I wasn't sure whether I had just nipped into the lane at the last moment.
"The pictures got me thinking about where they put the cameras and whether they are at the end purposefully to catch people out.
"I paid my fine. But I was so annoyed with them, and I know my rights, so I asked for more evidence.
"And it was lucky I did because when they sent through the video, it clearly shows me moving out of the way of two fire engines."
Mr Pemble, from St. Annes, Bristol, added: "I nearly fell off my chair when I saw the video for the first time - it came as quite a surprise.
"I was absolutely delighted to find I was squeaky clean and a good boy. You can't have a better excuse than that."
Council spokeswoman Kate Hartas said: "The council is to refund Mr Pemble's penalty charge.
"The team have reviewed the footage, and it is clear that he had moved into the bus lane for a fire engine.
"Actions by motorists to allow access for emergency services occur regularly, and they are normally picked up when the footage is examined prior to a PCN being issued.
"However, it was missed in this instance in error. We will write to Mr Pemble to apologise." She added: "Motorists who believe they have received a penalty in error should always appeal. The council is happy to review any case, and cancel the charge where appropriate."
I wonder whether the letter Mr Pemble will be sent contained the oft-reported phrases along the lines of: "on this occasion" and "don't do it again". I wonder too whether it will contain any apology.
Streaky
fjord said:
I nearly fell off my chair when I saw the video for the first time - it came as quite a surprise.
"I was absolutely delighted to find I was squeaky clean and a good boy
Someone takes this too seriously.
Typical PH, italic tags still not working half the time.
Fixed that for you. "I was absolutely delighted to find I was squeaky clean and a good boy
Someone takes this too seriously.
Typical PH, italic tags still not working half the time.
You haven't understood how formatting works. Where a CR (Carrriage Return) is used it means you have to apply the formatting separately to each paragraph.
Pius Council mouth said " "The council is to refund Mr Pemble's penalty charge."
"The team have reviewed the footage, and it is clear that he had moved into the bus lane for a fire engine." .
Q1- Why didn't they do so before, and will the eyesight of the video review person be tested ?
Q2 -If they'd noticed, why issue the ticket.
Q3 - does this smell of fear of future claims by the "if there's a smell of blame ,there's a claim " firms ( e.g. in future , in light of this some motorist does what lots now do at red lights and sit still ,not crossing to avoid red light fine and some is hurt.)
"The team have reviewed the footage, and it is clear that he had moved into the bus lane for a fire engine." .
Q1- Why didn't they do so before, and will the eyesight of the video review person be tested ?
Q2 -If they'd noticed, why issue the ticket.
Q3 - does this smell of fear of future claims by the "if there's a smell of blame ,there's a claim " firms ( e.g. in future , in light of this some motorist does what lots now do at red lights and sit still ,not crossing to avoid red light fine and some is hurt.)
[quote=Who me ?]
Q3 - does this smell of fear of future claims by the "if there's a smell of blame ,there's a claim " firms ( e.g. in future , in light of this some motorist does what lots now do at red lights and sit still ,not crossing to avoid red light fine and some is hurt.)
[/quote]
Slightly different question there, since red light jumping is criminal, and bus lane use isn't.
Q3 - does this smell of fear of future claims by the "if there's a smell of blame ,there's a claim " firms ( e.g. in future , in light of this some motorist does what lots now do at red lights and sit still ,not crossing to avoid red light fine and some is hurt.)
[/quote]
Slightly different question there, since red light jumping is criminal, and bus lane use isn't.
Mojooo said:
Sounds liek he was surprised that he had moved out of the way for fire engines.
But you don't have to break the law to allow an emergency vehicle to pass. Unless directed by a police officer, you should stay within the rules of the road, the emergency vehicle is experienced in finding their own way past.(though I would have done the same and moved into the bus lane)
Mojooo said:
Sounds liek he was surprised that he had moved out of the way for fire engines.
yeah I thought that too! - dunno about you lot but I tend to remember if I have to go into a bus lane to avoid a fire engine.....am surprised he was so astounded to discover that's what he was doing at the time!0000 said:
Snowboy said:
Sounds like the system is working as intended.
Sure, the reasonable excuse was missed originally, but the appeal worked.
Jesus. Remind me never to pay you to build any sort of system!Sure, the reasonable excuse was missed originally, but the appeal worked.
Care to explain?
Because I think it's a bit of a waste of resource checking every singe bus lane violation for Fire Engines.
The way it works now is you get a ticket if you're in the bus lane - then get to defend yourself.
It's not perfect, but it works.
Like another few posters; I find it odd that the guy was 'surprised' by the fire engines.
If I'd dived into a bus lane to make space it's the sort of thing I'd remember.
davepoth said:
Slightly different question there, since red light jumping is criminal, and bus lane use isn't.
Let me rephrase as moving out of way and setting off red light camera, not moving out to middle of junction ( why are some folks so pedantic) .just doing what in days of yore came au nautural , till profit came before common sense . To me making way for blue lights is non criminal ,just common sense . But till some SCP /authority gets hit heavily for causing death by causing drivers to be in fear of moving because it makes them criminals it'll continue. Old first aid quandry- man in car with possible spinal damage. Leave well alone till paramedics get there . Car on fire - do you 1- leave man in car to burn, hoping fire service gets there first.
2- Pull him out ,hoping that he'll not lose use of legs .
That fire engine could be on way to similar.
Snowboy said:
0000 said:
Snowboy said:
Sounds like the system is working as intended.
Sure, the reasonable excuse was missed originally, but the appeal worked.
Jesus. Remind me never to pay you to build any sort of system!Sure, the reasonable excuse was missed originally, but the appeal worked.
Care to explain?
Because I think it's a bit of a waste of resource checking every singe bus lane violation for Fire Engines.
The way it works now is you get a ticket if you're in the bus lane - then get to defend yourself.
It's not perfect, but it works.
Like another few posters; I find it odd that the guy was 'surprised' by the fire engines.
If I'd dived into a bus lane to make space it's the sort of thing I'd remember.
Grenoble said:
Mojooo said:
Sounds liek he was surprised that he had moved out of the way for fire engines.
But you don't have to break the law to allow an emergency vehicle to pass. Unless directed by a police officer, you should stay within the rules of the road, the emergency vehicle is experienced in finding their own way past.(though I would have done the same and moved into the bus lane)
JumboBeef said:
Grenoble said:
Mojooo said:
Sounds liek he was surprised that he had moved out of the way for fire engines.
But you don't have to break the law to allow an emergency vehicle to pass. Unless directed by a police officer, you should stay within the rules of the road, the emergency vehicle is experienced in finding their own way past.(though I would have done the same and moved into the bus lane)
DervVW said:
JumboBeef said:
Grenoble said:
Mojooo said:
Sounds liek he was surprised that he had moved out of the way for fire engines.
But you don't have to break the law to allow an emergency vehicle to pass. Unless directed by a police officer, you should stay within the rules of the road, the emergency vehicle is experienced in finding their own way past.(though I would have done the same and moved into the bus lane)
JumboBeef said:
DervVW said:
JumboBeef said:
Grenoble said:
Mojooo said:
Sounds liek he was surprised that he had moved out of the way for fire engines.
But you don't have to break the law to allow an emergency vehicle to pass. Unless directed by a police officer, you should stay within the rules of the road, the emergency vehicle is experienced in finding their own way past.(though I would have done the same and moved into the bus lane)
DervVW said:
JumboBeef said:
DervVW said:
JumboBeef said:
Grenoble said:
Mojooo said:
Sounds liek he was surprised that he had moved out of the way for fire engines.
But you don't have to break the law to allow an emergency vehicle to pass. Unless directed by a police officer, you should stay within the rules of the road, the emergency vehicle is experienced in finding their own way past.(though I would have done the same and moved into the bus lane)
Unlike when I fill it up with fuel and go to pay (in uniform) and I often get asked "which one".
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