Driving error, potential NIP?

[Getuptheya]

Hi fellas,

I recently entered a business park by taking the wrong exit on a roundabout. I realised this more or less right away, but couldn't see a way back out. There was a road ahead closed sign further down the road. I pulled over for a minute and took a look.

I saw a sign warning about no parking, and CCTV, and the right exit across the central reservation (for the exit back out towards the roundabout), was coned off.

I seemingly had no way of getting out, and it was late with no other cars around, so I just did a U-turn and exited the way I came in, the wrong way up the road and out of what is effectively the entry from the roundabout and not the exit.

I'm just worried now because I've checked on street view and can see this CCTV is facing the mouth of the roundabout. Should I be worried about any comeback?

The CCTV was for private parking penalties but on the signs mentions no parking at any time, and that you've been recorded and they'll request details from the dvla in the event of a fine etc etc. Given I stopped for a minute, and exited the way I did, is what I did enough for a parking fine, and could the way I exited be referred on as well and lead to a potential NIP? Is that possible?

Fairly impossible situation I feel, more or less trapped as soon as I got in. Would like to think I have nothing to worry about but just have a bad gut feeling. Any older and more experienced heads have any ideas what to expect in this situation?

Cheers

[anonymous-user]

[Getuptheya]

Schmed said:

Seasonal.

I appreciate it might come across as handwringing but still.

[jondude]

I would like to think you will be OK.

I did contact Europarks over something similar, they had taken over a carpark local to me and had all the same warnings of fines and such. But it was a car park many of us had used to drop people off.

Could I still do that as it would mean being in the car park for two minutes max?

Their reply was that should (should) be fine as they allow 10 minutes to find a space or get out.

I presumed from that unless you park up and leave the car (or you keep looking for a space for 10 minutes) you will not be sent a fine.

It did worry me a bit they said 'should' but you should be OK under the same guides - namely that you did not park up.

[Getuptheya]

jondude said:

I would like to think you will be OK.

I did contact Europarks over something similar, they had taken over a carpark local to me and had all the same warnings of fines and such. But it was a car park many of us had used to drop people off.

Could I still do that as it would mean being in the car park for two minutes max?

Their reply was that should (should) be fine as they allow 10 minutes to find a space or get out.

I presumed from that unless you park up and leave the car (or you keep looking for a space for 10 minutes) you will not be sent a fine.

It did worry me a bit they said 'should' but you should be OK under the same guides - namely that you did not park up.

Fingers crossed mate. What do you reckon in terms of driving the wrong way out to exit mate? Am I being daft worring about that?

[jondude]

Getuptheya said:

Fingers crossed mate. What do you reckon in terms of driving the wrong way out to exit mate? Am I being daft worring about that?

Again I would think no need to worry. That would be an offence the police need to deal with, not a private parking company.

[Getuptheya]

jondude said:

Again I would think no need to worry. That would be an offence the police need to deal with, not a private parking company.

Wouldn't it be the DVLA though, as with any potential request for information from the DVLA re parking the same CCTV would be referred on for the exit?

I just worry that it could become an issue being viewed black and white retrospectively. I feel like if I'd seen the police on the day I would've been okay because they'd understand I didn't have a choice.

Maybe I'm worrying over nothing though.

[recordman]

If it's a private car park you're highly unlikely to receive a NIP, but watch out for a Parking Charge Notice (invoice) from the car park operator.

[Pizzaeatingking]

Getuptheya said:

Wouldn't it be the DVLA though, as with any potential request for information from the DVLA re parking the same CCTV would be referred on for the exit?

I just worry that it could become an issue being viewed black and white retrospectively. I feel like if I'd seen the police on the day I would've been okay because they'd understand I didn't have a choice.

Maybe I'm worrying over nothing though.

DVLA don't prosecute people, they just hold the details of vehicles and licences. The police would be the only people to talk to you about this, given the situation and what you've said I think you have very little to worry about.

[timbob]

Don’t worry - it’s not an issue. CCTV will be for people parking in the private car park which you didn’t do. If a police car happened to have been driving past at the time you drove back out the entrance the wrong way they may have pulled you over for a word, but if the exit was coned off, I’d do nothing more than a quick licence check and send you back on your way.

Chances of the private CCTV operator spotting the “infringement” and contacting the police AND the police being interested enough to request a copy of the CCTV to review, decide it’s worth pursuing given the circumstances and then putting the time and effort into the paperwork necessary to summons you to court - nil. Don’t worry chap

[Foliage]

I drove into a bus station to drop someone off once, got shouted at, threatened by a conductor, CCTV everwhere, nothing came of it, I wouldn't worry.

To add insult to injury I then went and parked in their staff carpark. That was a fun day.