Do Bus Drivers get Traffic Tickets?

You would be surprised at the number of people who have asked me that question.

I finally got the answer – yes they do. And it gets deducted from their wages.

Yellow Boxes at T Junctions

The last couple of months have seen a number of successful appeals against yellow boxes situated at ‘T’ junctions that span the full width of the road like this:

The correct configuration, as prescribed in diagram 1044 of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 is a half box, like so:

The Voices of Reason

“It is hard to believe that prosecuting more and more people every year is the best way of securing a good-tempered community that accepts codes of conduct designed for everyone’s safety and convenience” (Professor Jackson)

The above quotation comes from a book I have been reading over the Christmas break entitled “Road Accidents; Prevent or Punish” by the late J J Leeming. It was originally published in 1969 and reprinted in 2007 thanks to the efforts of the Association of British Drivers.

The sad thing is that this book hardly required any revision. It is as relevant today as it was way back then, around the time when I passed my driving test.

Councils are Above the Law – Proof

When men are pure, laws are useless; when men are corrupt, laws are broken. (Benjamin Disraeli)

Lambeth CCTV Smart Car collecting taxes in Eardley Road. I wonder if they gave themselves a ticket for parking on a double yellow line?

Alternative caption suggestions below please…

Sending in the Heavies

“Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.” (Isaac Asimov, Foundation)

I received this cry for help from Louise a few days ago. I thought it warranted a post of its own as it is not a totally uncommon situation:

“I just received a bill of £1060.14 from collection services used by Ealing for stopping in a box junction on 29.01.07 and 06.02.07. I never received any notices to this day but this bill. A warrant of execution has been issued and they now have power to collect the money. On the letter my name is incorrect. I don’t know how to start. I need help I know I should write letters but stating what?

All help most welcome.”

Two PCNs issued at that time would have racked up a total of £310 – £150 each plus a £5 debt registration fee. So where does the other £750.14 come from? This is clearly outrageous.

This situation is slightly outside my personal area of experience and expertise, but as I understand it the correct thing to do is to file a late Statutory Declaration which will force the bailiffs to back off while things get sorted out. You can download the form and a helpful guide from this page on the HM Court Service website.

Alternatively you can get some quality help from the Bailiff Advice Online website set up by a campaigning colleague of mine, Sheila Harding. What Sheila doesn’t know on the subject of bailiffs isn’t worth knowing.

There are contact details on the site but if you want instant help for only £1 per minute then phone 0906 550 0145 between 8:30 am and 7:00 pm.

Joined up Traffic Management

The following reply was received a few days ago from Carolina Lehrian in response to my recent post “I am Not Alone“. Lambeth’s enforcement of the box junction at Eardley Road and Greyhound Lane is attracting almost as much attention as their activities in Salters Hill.

Here’s what Carolina wrote:

‘Tis the Season of Appeals

Well, the first anniversary of this website went unmarked on November 12^th. I was so busy preparing for the next few weeks that I didn’t have time for retrospection. That will have to wait for the Christmas break now.

The postal strike played havoc with applications for appeal and at one stage PATAS were receiving mail posted one month previously. Many people were served Charge Certificates by over eager councils because appeal applications were not received on time.

From my point of view it means that I have delayed appeals all stacked up between now and Christmas.

Significant Adjudication

Finally, after many unsuccessful attempts we have managed to get an Adjudicator to rule on the wording of an Islington moving traffic PCN. The appeal was allowed. All Islington moving traffic PCNs issued since early December 2006 are unlawful.

The Adjudicator’s reasons were simple. If the legislation says something must be stated on the PCN then it is a mandatory requirement. Ignore it or modify it at your peril.

This was no snap decision either. The Adjudicator reserved his decision so that he could go away and think about it and, presumably, consult his colleagues.

The implication is that Islington, Hillingdon and Waltham Forest PCNs are unlawful and can be challenged on the basis of their wording.

Citizens Arrest

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone…” (John 8:7)

You couldn’t make this up if you tried.

One of our happy band of persecuted motorists was going about his lawful business when he saw this:

Yes, it’s a Haringey CCTV enforcement vehicle stopped in a box junction. And here it is again a few seconds later.

Harassed of Hillingdon

It has come to my attention the Hillingdon Council has recently joined the Association of Avaricious Authorities. They are carrying out yellow box enforcement at the junction of Long Lane and Freezland Way. I also know that they are using CCTV cameras to enforce parking in the Borough.

Fortunately for everyone the Penalty Charge Notices that are currently being issued are invalid. The wording does not conform to the relevant legislation so do not be afraid to appeal against them.