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Got 3 points and a £60 fine tonight. Here's the story...
I turned left from Bon Accord Street onto Langstane Place (Aberdeen) and pulled up on the left hand side at the point I thought would be the least inconvenient. As far away from the crossing as possible while not obstructing the entrance/exit a little further down the road from the Prohibition Bar on Langstane Place. At this point I wasn't aware I was still on the zig-zags.
I had arranged to meet my dad near there and the only reason I stopped was to send a text message to him to say I was outside.
As I was texting, two police officers walked round the corner. As soon as they brought the problem of where I was stopped to my attention I explained my reason for stopping. I also apologised, and offered to move the vehicle right away.
However regardless of the fact this spot was an unsafe place to stop (in their eyes), they proceeded to talk to me, do various checks and take my details. This resulted in the car sitting on that spot for a further 10-15 minutes. In my opinion, this was a poor judgment on their behalf.
Initially I was going to pay the fine, but now my dad and I have decided to take it to court. I'm sure it'll cost them a lot more than £60 to pursue the case.
I know I was in the wrong, but considering the small amount of time I had stopped there I thought a little discretion would have been appropriate.
I turned left from Bon Accord Street onto Langstane Place (Aberdeen) and pulled up on the left hand side at the point I thought would be the least inconvenient. As far away from the crossing as possible while not obstructing the entrance/exit a little further down the road from the Prohibition Bar on Langstane Place. At this point I wasn't aware I was still on the zig-zags.
I had arranged to meet my dad near there and the only reason I stopped was to send a text message to him to say I was outside.
As I was texting, two police officers walked round the corner. As soon as they brought the problem of where I was stopped to my attention I explained my reason for stopping. I also apologised, and offered to move the vehicle right away.
However regardless of the fact this spot was an unsafe place to stop (in their eyes), they proceeded to talk to me, do various checks and take my details. This resulted in the car sitting on that spot for a further 10-15 minutes. In my opinion, this was a poor judgment on their behalf.
Initially I was going to pay the fine, but now my dad and I have decided to take it to court. I'm sure it'll cost them a lot more than £60 to pursue the case.
I know I was in the wrong, but considering the small amount of time I had stopped there I thought a little discretion would have been appropriate.
i wouldnt go to court.
You will have to pay because they will win.
However its dressed up you were on zig zags - an offence that carries the punishment they have handed you.
I would be fuming if i were you, as it seems a crap thing to get points for. but s
t happens, dont waste your time!
You will have to pay because they will win.
However its dressed up you were on zig zags - an offence that carries the punishment they have handed you.
I would be fuming if i were you, as it seems a crap thing to get points for. but s
t happens, dont waste your time!EDLT said:
So you were texting while illegally parked.
You do realise that when you lose you'll have an increased fine AND you'll have to pay for court costs. The police won't lose anything.
I'm in Scotland. We don't pay court costs.You do realise that when you lose you'll have an increased fine AND you'll have to pay for court costs. The police won't lose anything.
Yes, technically I was texting while illegally parked, but I wasn't aware I was parked illegaly at the time. Also, I thought they might have been a little easier on me because I actually pulled over to text.
deevlash said:
What exactly do you hope to achieve at court?!
Maybe they'll trade the points for a larger fine.Edited by Blukoo on Thursday 11th November 23:58
Blukoo said:
EDLT said:
So you were texting while illegally parked.
You do realise that when you lose you'll have an increased fine AND you'll have to pay for court costs. The police won't lose anything.
I'm in Scotland. We don't pay court costs.You do realise that when you lose you'll have an increased fine AND you'll have to pay for court costs. The police won't lose anything.
Yes, technically I was texting while illegally parked, but I wasn't aware I was parked illegaly at the time. Also, I thought they might have been a little easier on me because I actually pulled over to text.
deevlash said:
What exactly do you hope to achieve at court?!
Maybe they'll trade the points for a larger fine.Edited by Blukoo on Thursday 11th November 23:58
Blukoo said:
At this point I wasn't aware I was still on the zig-zags.
From the pic, your car must have awful front visibility, as there is a car's length of zig-zags ahead of you, then someone's gate with a double yellow over it - you'd have seen on the approach that there is nowhere to pull in on that stretch. Admit fault and pay up - the length the Police kept you has no bearing on the fact that you chose to commit a parking offence.Blukoo said:
Yes, technically I was texting while illegally parked, but I wasn't aware I was parked illegaly at the time.
So you admit to driving without due care and attention? Lucky to get away with just 3 points. It's not like you've overstayed a pay and display, you've stopped on Zig Zags without good reason.stevoknevo said:
Done bang to rights for parking on zig-zags. There must be a pedestrian crossing out of sight to the left of the photo. Had you parked 50m further on you would have been fine. Take it on the chin for parking outside of your highway code knowledge.
As I said in the original text, there is a crossing, but I had pulled over far enough away not to cause any obstruction or inconvenience.The image above does show and empty parking spot, but all spaces were full tonight.
I'd also like to add, this was about 21:30 tonight, and the roads were very quiet. Very little moving cars or pedestrians.
I thought the majority of PH's members would back someone trying to argue a case such as this.
Edited by Blukoo on Friday 12th November 00:09
Blukoo said:
Yes, technically I was texting while illegally parked, but I wasn't aware I was parked illegaly at the time.
Hmmm... Thats like a Glaswegien telling the police he wasnt aware he was carrying a knife at the time...Although the situation may seem a bit crappy, the fact is you were in the wrong. Its the officers choice if he is lenient or not, and you must have just been unlucky that his choice didnt suit you. Was your engine still running at the time? If so then texting is a deffo no no.
Should probably just take this as a hard learned lesson TBH. If you drive up that road at certain times you'll realise that there's quite often vans or cars parked illegaly around there and does disturb the flow of traffic.
Blukoo said:
stevoknevo said:
Done bang to rights for parking on zig-zags. There must be a pedestrian crossing out of sight to the left of the photo. Had you parked 50m further on you would have been fine. Take it on the chin for parking outside of your highway code knowledge.
As I said in the original text, there is a crossing, but I had pulled over far enough away not to cause any obstruction or inconvenience.The image above does show and empty parking spot, but all spaces were full tonight.
I'd also like to add, this was about 21:30 tonight, and the roads were very quiet. Very little moving cars or pedestrians.
I thought the majority of PH's members would back someone trying to argue a case such as this.
Edited by Blukoo on Friday 12th November 00:09
"well yeah, I did it..."
Blukoo said:
stevoknevo said:
Done bang to rights for parking on zig-zags. There must be a pedestrian crossing out of sight to the left of the photo. Had you parked 50m further on you would have been fine. Take it on the chin for parking outside of your highway code knowledge.
As I said in the original text, there is a crossing, but I had pulled over far enough away not to cause any obstruction or inconvenience.The image above does show and empty parking spot, but all spaces were full tonight.
I'd also like to add, this was about 21:30 tonight, and the roads were very quiet. Very little moving cars or pedestrians.
I thought the majority of PH's members would back someone trying to argue a case such as this.
Blukoo said:
stevoknevo said:
Done bang to rights for parking on zig-zags. There must be a pedestrian crossing out of sight to the left of the photo. Had you parked 50m further on you would have been fine. Take it on the chin for parking outside of your highway code knowledge.
As I said in the original text, there is a crossing, but I had pulled over far enough away not to cause any obstruction or inconvenience.The image above does show and empty parking spot, but all spaces were full tonight.
I'd also like to add, this was about 21:30 tonight, and the roads were very quiet. Very little moving cars or pedestrians.
I thought the majority of PH's members would back someone trying to argue a case such as this.
Edited by Blukoo on Friday 12th November 00:09
of it, accept it and move on.By PH standards, I've ben really mild with you
I appreciate your mild talking to
However, I genuinely did pull over just for a minute to text. Once I sent the message I was going to circle the block and keep and eye out for him. I wasn't even 100% sure which pub he was in.
You're right though, i've learnt from my mistake. Won't be doing it again.
However, I genuinely did pull over just for a minute to text. Once I sent the message I was going to circle the block and keep and eye out for him. I wasn't even 100% sure which pub he was in.
You're right though, i've learnt from my mistake. Won't be doing it again.
Edited by Blukoo on Friday 12th November 00:26
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