Is there an exemption for stopping on zig-zags for Police?

[fjord]

My village has a zebra crossing on the main street. This crossing is next to the only cashpoint and the only tesco express.

Parking is a nightmare and restricted to one side of the road, as it's narrow.

People always, always, stop on the zig zags to nip into the cash point or tesco, and it's infuriating.

I know this is all illegal, and zig-zags shouldnt be stopped on at all.

Now the issue is with the Police. For the Police to enforce this stopping law when they drive up to the crossing, is near impossible. Because there is literally no parking at all, the officer cant stop anywhere. There's a 'police only' bay outside the local nick, but thats a 1/2 a mile up the road. Meaning the bobby has to park up, walk hafl a mile to the crossing, and by this time, the offending vehicle has gone as they are usually only there for a minute or two.

As a result, this offence often gets ignored. It's not even practical to stop anywhere to take a quick photo for the purpose of dealing with the offence later.

So, the question is this;

If the police vehicle, stopped behind the offending vehicle, lit the roof up and dealt with the offence there and then, would the officer have exemption for stopping on those zig-zags? It seems counter productive to stop on lines for which you're going to issue a ticket for, it opens you to complaints, and may even open it up to being contested at court. The only way around this I see is with legal exemption.

This is the crossing, people park on the left near the woman in the green coat:


The only other alternative to stop would be across the road (on the other side of the crossing, 'behind' the picture as such on double yellow lines, or in a bus stop. Is there an exemption in relation to double yellows or bus stops?

[Russellely]

I'd imagine as it's for a "job" the police can park wherever ( with common sense applied)

[Dwight VanDriver]

You will find that the relevant Traffic Order will include an exemption for Police. Like a clearway,obstruction offence is to stop behind, instruct driver to a place where he can be dealt with without causing an obstruction.
dvd

[Cat]

They can stop on the zig zags if it is for a police purpose. See reg 21 of The Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations and General Directions 1997

Cat

[fjord]

Cat said:

They can stop on the zig zags if it is for a police purpose. See reg 21 of The Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations and General Directions 1997

Cat

Brilliant, PH knowledge strikes again. Thank you

[Rovinghawk]

As far as your hypothetical situation is concerned, two stopped vehicles wouldn't really pose any greater danger to pedestrians than one would.

[Busterhighmen]

Big high street for a village - Wouldn't mind having at least 1 small shop in ours

[tvrgit]

Dwight VanDriver said:

You will find that the relevant Traffic Order will include an exemption for Police. Like a clearway,obstruction offence is to stop behind, instruct driver to a place where he can be dealt with without causing an obstruction.
dvd

Just as a point of order, Mr Chairman, pedestrian crossing zig-zags don't require a specific Traffic Regulation Order - they are automatically enforceable, under the Regulations quoted by Cat.

[NH1]

Cat said:

They can stop on the zig zags if it is for a police purpose. See reg 21 of The Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations and General Directions 1997

Cat

I thought zig zags were to stop cars parking close to the crossing so both drivers and pedestrians could see each other. How does being a police car help in this situation. I would have thought the greatest skilled driver in the world couldn't make their car invisible.

[10 Pence Short]

NH1 said:

I thought zig zags were to stop cars parking close to the crossing so both drivers and pedestrians could see each other. How does being a police car help in this situation. I would have thought the greatest skilled driver in the world couldn't make their car invisible.

In rough terms, the advantage in allowing the Police to not worry about where they park (when the need arises), outweighs the risks to society in them doing so.

[Cat]

NH1 said:

I thought zig zags were to stop cars parking close to the crossing so both drivers and pedestrians could see each other. How does being a police car help in this situation. I would have thought the greatest skilled driver in the world couldn't make their car invisible.

I'm sure if you think hard enough you'll come up with reasons why it maybe beneficial for emergency services to have an exemption. On the other hand you could just try and have another snide dig.

Cat

[Oakey]

When did Lytham become a village?

[Engineer1]

Cat said:

NH1 said:

I thought zig zags were to stop cars parking close to the crossing so both drivers and pedestrians could see each other. How does being a police car help in this situation. I would have thought the greatest skilled driver in the world couldn't make their car invisible.

I'm sure if you think hard enough you'll come up with reasons why it maybe beneficial for emergency services to have an exemption. On the other hand you could just try and have another snide dig.

Cat

I can also think of many many more reasons why an emergency services vehicle should be able to park on zig zags, in the event of an accident or incident, say a colission with a pedestrian on the crossing.

[Cyberprog]

Yes, Plod could use their exemption.

Where I used to live we had the same issue, just a *much* busier road. I was always having to tell people not to park on zigzags. Here was my usual conversation.

"Excuse me, you can't park on ZigZags, you know it's a 3-pointer?"
"I'm only popping in the shop"/"I'm just picking someone up"
"Doesn't matter, find somewhere else"
-pause-
"Are you going to move?"
"No." (And sometimes expletives)
"Ok, I'll just get the camera out and send it to the local plod, and they can deal with it via a summons"
"You won't..."
-gets cameraphone out, starts walking back to get the car and driver in shot-

• Shouty Swear words as they tear off*

"Thank you, come again".

There are two notable occasions.

1. 1 With a friend and the dog, Mr Transit Man felt the need to abuse me through the passenger window, accross his girlfriend. Threatened to come and give me a slap. Invited him to do so. For some reason chickend out? Must be a coward...
2. 2 Third car in a row of cars I'd shouted at, walked back the zebra to cross only for another to pull up, as I'm telling him he can't park there, Plod pull up to his side and rolls down their window. Left em to it. That one was satisfying.

[NH1]

Cyberprog said:

Yes, Plod could use their exemption.

Where I used to live we had the same issue, just a *much* busier road. I was always having to tell people not to park on zigzags. Here was my usual conversation.

"Excuse me, you can't park on ZigZags, you know it's a 3-pointer?"
"I'm only popping in the shop"/"I'm just picking someone up"
"Doesn't matter, find somewhere else"
-pause-
"Are you going to move?"
"No." (And sometimes expletives)
"Ok, I'll just get the camera out and send it to the local plod, and they can deal with it via a summons"
"You won't..."
-gets cameraphone out, starts walking back to get the car and driver in shot-

• Shouty Swear words as they tear off*

"Thank you, come again".

There are two notable occasions.

1. 1 With a friend and the dog, Mr Transit Man felt the need to abuse me through the passenger window, accross his girlfriend. Threatened to come and give me a slap. Invited him to do so. For some reason chickend out? Must be a coward...
2. 2 Third car in a row of cars I'd shouted at, walked back the zebra to cross only for another to pull up, as I'm telling him he can't park there, Plod pull up to his side and rolls down their window. Left em to it. That one was satisfying.

Oh dear, do you wear a hi viz vest as well with POLITE on the back.

[Vaud]

Cyberprog said:

Where I used to live we had the same issue, just a *much* busier road. I was always having choosing to, though I had no remit other than concern, to try to tell people not to park on zigzags.

EFA

[LeoSayer]

Can't a policeman on foot deal with this?

[Red 4]

Cyberprog said:

Yes, Plod could use their exemption.

Where I used to live we had the same issue, just a *much* busier road. I was always having to tell people not to park on zigzags. Here was my usual conversation.

"Excuse me, you can't park on ZigZags, you know it's a 3-pointer?"
"I'm only popping in the shop"/"I'm just picking someone up"
"Doesn't matter, find somewhere else"
-pause-
"Are you going to move?"
"No." (And sometimes expletives)
"Ok, I'll just get the camera out and send it to the local plod, and they can deal with it via a summons"
"You won't..."
-gets cameraphone out, starts walking back to get the car and driver in shot-

• Shouty Swear words as they tear off*

"Thank you, come again".

There are two notable occasions.

1. 1 With a friend and the dog, Mr Transit Man felt the need to abuse me through the passenger window, accross his girlfriend. Threatened to come and give me a slap. Invited him to do so. For some reason chickend out? Must be a coward...
2. 2 Third car in a row of cars I'd shouted at, walked back the zebra to cross only for another to pull up, as I'm telling him he can't park there, Plod pull up to his side and rolls down their window. Left em to it. That one was satisfying.

It is possible that one day you will meet a nutter who will give you a slap ...

Still, keep up the good work ...

[mrmr96]

LeoSayer said:

Can't a policeman on foot deal with this?

Lol - when did you last see one of those?

I'm sure if plod on foot saw it they would deal. If plod in car sees it, then they will deal.

Anyone who can't see why having an exemption for plod to park where they need to to deal with this is really not worth having a discussion with.

[andy118run]

NH1 said:

Cyberprog said:

Yes, Plod could use their exemption.

Where I used to live we had the same issue, just a *much* busier road. I was always having to tell people not to park on zigzags. Here was my usual conversation.

"Excuse me, you can't park on ZigZags, you know it's a 3-pointer?"
"I'm only popping in the shop"/"I'm just picking someone up"
"Doesn't matter, find somewhere else"
-pause-
"Are you going to move?"
"No." (And sometimes expletives)
"Ok, I'll just get the camera out and send it to the local plod, and they can deal with it via a summons"
"You won't..."
-gets cameraphone out, starts walking back to get the car and driver in shot-

• Shouty Swear words as they tear off*

"Thank you, come again".

There are two notable occasions.

1. 1 With a friend and the dog, Mr Transit Man felt the need to abuse me through the passenger window, accross his girlfriend. Threatened to come and give me a slap. Invited him to do so. For some reason chickend out? Must be a coward...
2. 2 Third car in a row of cars I'd shouted at, walked back the zebra to cross only for another to pull up, as I'm telling him he can't park there, Plod pull up to his side and rolls down their window. Left em to it. That one was satisfying.

Oh dear, do you wear a hi viz vest as well with POLITE on the back.