No Traffic Enforcement in NI?
Discussion
Since I moved here from England nearly 5 years ago, I’ve had a constant stream of Penalty Charge Notices for the previous owner (certainly at least 6) for speeding, parking in prohibited areas, driving in bus lanes etc.
Must admit my mind is still in neutral when I open my morning post, and invariably don’t check first to see if they’re for me – but, once or twice when I have noticed, I’ve written “Not at this address” and chucked them in the nearest post box. The previous owner didn’t leave a forwarding address – I have no idea where she is.
First time it happened, way back in 2017, I tried pretty hard to get hold of the “Parking Enforcement Processing Unit”, by phone and email, to tell them that she didn’t live here any more – but, as is customary with such departments, they ignored all my communications, and continued sending them to the previous occupant at this address.
But here’s the interesting thing. First comes the notice (example attached) saying, effectively, “You've been naughty, give us some money or you’ll be in trouble.” A few weeks later comes another one, saying “You’ve really been VERY naughty – give us a lot more money, or you’ll REALLY be in trouble.”
I now just chuck these in the bin, and then… nothing happens. No further contact, no bobby at the door with a summons etc. This one has until 11/4/22 to be paid, or the penalty goes from £90 to £135. I’ll post the red one here when it comes through…
So it would appear that we in NI can drive at whatever speed we like, in bus lanes etc, then park happily in restricted areas, without fear of consequences.
Pity I haven't got my M3 any more
Must admit my mind is still in neutral when I open my morning post, and invariably don’t check first to see if they’re for me – but, once or twice when I have noticed, I’ve written “Not at this address” and chucked them in the nearest post box. The previous owner didn’t leave a forwarding address – I have no idea where she is.
First time it happened, way back in 2017, I tried pretty hard to get hold of the “Parking Enforcement Processing Unit”, by phone and email, to tell them that she didn’t live here any more – but, as is customary with such departments, they ignored all my communications, and continued sending them to the previous occupant at this address.
But here’s the interesting thing. First comes the notice (example attached) saying, effectively, “You've been naughty, give us some money or you’ll be in trouble.” A few weeks later comes another one, saying “You’ve really been VERY naughty – give us a lot more money, or you’ll REALLY be in trouble.”
I now just chuck these in the bin, and then… nothing happens. No further contact, no bobby at the door with a summons etc. This one has until 11/4/22 to be paid, or the penalty goes from £90 to £135. I’ll post the red one here when it comes through…
So it would appear that we in NI can drive at whatever speed we like, in bus lanes etc, then park happily in restricted areas, without fear of consequences.
Pity I haven't got my M3 any more
I've been chased for an FPN months after receiving the original with no more threat than sort it out now or we'll then take further action. I'd actually sorted it at the time and was booked onto a speed awareness course so clearly an admin issue but I was tempted to ignore it and see how heavy they got.
I didn't of course because I suspect all of these things rely on normal people like myself being too scared to risk the full wrath of the authorities so we deal with it promptly. If you don't care then I do believe you could probably get away with it quite a lot of the time. They'll probably catch up with you eventually but it's got to be easier to keep sending threatening letters rather than physically chasing down and if 95% of people respond to that then the remaining few are less of a concern.
I didn't of course because I suspect all of these things rely on normal people like myself being too scared to risk the full wrath of the authorities so we deal with it promptly. If you don't care then I do believe you could probably get away with it quite a lot of the time. They'll probably catch up with you eventually but it's got to be easier to keep sending threatening letters rather than physically chasing down and if 95% of people respond to that then the remaining few are less of a concern.
OutInTheShed said:
It's probably for a car the previous occupier sold.
Or maybe never owned.
From my experience of the lady in question, I imagine it's hers. And I THINK it's what she was driving when I moved in here...Or maybe never owned.
OutInTheShed said:
There comes a point where it may be prudent to set the record straight?
Unfortunately, the only kind of communication the powers that be accept is financial. Attempts at phoning or emailing are treated with the usual contempt...Actually, I think any kind of traffic-related enforcement might be a bit hit and miss here... there's a young lad in the next street with two cars, neither in great nick - so I idly decided to check their tax/MOT status on the DVLA website.
Neither has had either since October last year... does the lack of MOT mean their insurance will be invalid too??
Neither has had either since October last year... does the lack of MOT mean their insurance will be invalid too??
OK finally managed to get through to “Parking Enforcement NI”. Talking to them was like the 80’s sitcom “Yes Minister”, with a total lack of interest, and answering every question in circles with bureaucratic doublespeak.
Apparently their responsibility ends with issuing notices. Then red notices. After that, it’s “passed to other agencies”. I asked which agencies – “we don’t reveal that.”
I asked how to stop getting this stuff – she said “write ‘Return to Sender’ on it, and send it back.” I told her that’s what I did do with the first few, but they just kept on coming.
“You need to notify the DVLA” she suggested, brightly. I asked her if she’d ever tried getting hold of the DVLA, or if she ever read the papers about the futility of trying to get them to do anything – silence.
I’ll drop it now. I have no interest, really, in whether the person who this stuff is addressed to gets done or not – I’m just amazed that nobody gives a s
t 
Apparently their responsibility ends with issuing notices. Then red notices. After that, it’s “passed to other agencies”. I asked which agencies – “we don’t reveal that.”
I asked how to stop getting this stuff – she said “write ‘Return to Sender’ on it, and send it back.” I told her that’s what I did do with the first few, but they just kept on coming.
“You need to notify the DVLA” she suggested, brightly. I asked her if she’d ever tried getting hold of the DVLA, or if she ever read the papers about the futility of trying to get them to do anything – silence.
I’ll drop it now. I have no interest, really, in whether the person who this stuff is addressed to gets done or not – I’m just amazed that nobody gives a s
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