Topic ID 3028
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6948886.stm This was posted on the BBC News Website, regarding traffic wardens and clamping outside London (presumably including Hertford) Among the guidelines are a 15 minute grace period after a meter runs out. Sounds like a sensible proposal to me - any guesses if our parking gestapo will take any notice though?
Reply ID 43598
From what I'm reading, this does seem to refer specifically to clamping, rather than the issue of fixed penalties (pardon the pun!). However, I would hope that the same guidelines would be extended to ticketing as well. I would also point out that the "parking gestapo" you refer to are to be found at The District Council, rather than on the streets.
Reply ID 43602
I am sure that last time i read the article there were a list of guidelines. Yes OK they were specifically targetted at clampers but the common sense approach seemed to make sense for PCNs too. Does the East Herts Parking Enforcement currently cover the use of clamps, or does the system currently rely on the generally law abiding people that get tickets paying up like good citizens?
Reply ID 43656
quote:Nicely put.[:)] The proposals are partly in response to requests by staff on the streets, who bear the brunt of public criticism for a system which is not of their design.
Originally posted by Steve
From what I'm reading, this does seem to refer specifically to clamping, rather than the issue of fixed penalties (pardon the pun!). However, I would hope that the same guidelines would be extended to ticketing as well. I would also point out that the "parking gestapo" you refer to are to be found at The District Council, rather than on the streets.
Reply ID 43704
A 15 minute grace period? So now people will get back to their cars 17 minutes late and claim that the parking attendants are all nazi's for not letting them off my two minutes.
Reply ID 43715
quote:[?] That is taking the p*** 15 minutes grace should be more than enough time to get back to your car if you are running a little bit late. If you have only paid for an hour and you stay well over an hour then you can't really complain when you get a ticket. This should also reduce the number of wardens wasting time standing by cars waiting for the ticket to run out so they can issue a PCN Maybe then they could patrol the streets and issue more PCNs to the selfish people that think they can park wherever they like.
Originally posted by Dude
A 15 minute grace period? So now people will get back to their cars 17 minutes late and claim that the parking attendants are all nazi's for not letting them off my two minutes.
Reply ID 43717
quote:Or....drum roll please....... People could simply get back to their car within the hour! I don't see what the difference is between getting back to the car two minutes past the hour and getting back two minutes past the grace period.
Originally posted by jez_pquote:[?] That is taking the p*** 15 minutes grace should be more than enough time to get back to your car if you are running a little bit late. If you have only paid for an hour and you stay well over an hour then you can't really complain when you get a ticket. This should also reduce the number of wardens wasting time standing by cars waiting for the ticket to run out so they can issue a PCN Maybe then they could patrol the streets and issue more PCNs to the selfish people that think they can park wherever they like.
Originally posted by Dude
A 15 minute grace period? So now people will get back to their cars 17 minutes late and claim that the parking attendants are all nazi's for not letting them off my two minutes.
Reply ID 43719
quote:Or even pay for 2 hours just in case!
Originally posted by Dudequote:Or....drum roll please....... People could simply get back to their car within the hour! I don't see what the difference is between getting back to the car two minutes past the hour and getting back two minutes past the grace period.
Originally posted by jez_pquote:[?] That is taking the p*** 15 minutes grace should be more than enough time to get back to your car if you are running a little bit late. If you have only paid for an hour and you stay well over an hour then you can't really complain when you get a ticket. This should also reduce the number of wardens wasting time standing by cars waiting for the ticket to run out so they can issue a PCN Maybe then they could patrol the streets and issue more PCNs to the selfish people that think they can park wherever they like.
Originally posted by Dude
A 15 minute grace period? So now people will get back to their cars 17 minutes late and claim that the parking attendants are all nazi's for not letting them off my two minutes.
Reply ID 43725
quote:This can be impractical. You might think you only need an hour in town but then you find a long queue in the bank, for instance, and suddenly it takes more than an hour. Or something you wanted to buy is out of stock and you have to visit another shop. Unfortunately, because of the rules, once you've bought a ticket you can't extend your stay.
Originally posted by Dude
People could simply get back to their car within the hour!
quote:The difference is that one is two minutes past your ticket expiry time and the other is 17 minutes past your ticket expiry time. A grace period is exactly that, it is not an additional entitlement, it is a period during which your "offence" will be overlooked.
Originally posted by Dude
I don't see what the difference is between getting back to the car two minutes past the hour and getting back two minutes past the grace period.
Reply ID 43727
Obviously Marilyn and Dude have lots of spare cash so you can always pay for an extra hour of parking that you don't use. Presumably also you don't mind paying extra when you have no change. And you would also presumably be quite happy when you eventually get a PCN based on a technicality like you displayed your ticket in the wrong window, because you broke the rules. A grace period should be a guideline for the wardens to allow for inaccuracies in watches and a slight delay in the shops - not a rule for the person parking to abide by. Speed cameras have an extra few MPH before they are triggered to allow for speedometer inaccuracies etc. but most people still slow down to well below the speed limit to go past them. However I think most people would be annoyed if they were prosecuted for travelling at 30.1 MPH in a 30MPH speed limit zone
Reply ID 43736
quote:This assumes that we only respond, like automatons, to threat of penalty. There still are a few who do not need to slow down for cameras, because they already drive at under 27MPH in a thirty zone. Similarly some allow a few minutes to get back to their car for the innaccuracy of their own watch and know how to safely negotiate crossroads without traffic-lights or box-junction. Unfortunately, there are an increasing number who only do what they are forced to do. If you buy a ticket for an hour, leave a margin for you own error.
Originally posted by jez_p
Obviously Marilyn and Dude have lots of spare cash so you can always pay for an extra hour of parking that you don't use. Presumably also you don't mind paying extra when you have no change. And you would also presumably be quite happy when you eventually get a PCN based on a technicality like you displayed your ticket in the wrong window, because you broke the rules. A grace period should be a guideline for the wardens to allow for inaccuracies in watches and a slight delay in the shops - not a rule for the person parking to abide by. Speed cameras have an extra few MPH before they are triggered to allow for speedometer inaccuracies etc. but most people still slow down to well below the speed limit to go past them. However I think most people would be annoyed if they were prosecuted for travelling at 30.1 MPH in a 30MPH speed limit zone
Reply ID 43780
quote:Eh? How did you make the leap form 2 minute grace periods to be happy about getting fines for wrongly displayed tickets or sapre cash issues?!? Am I missing something here???
Originally posted by jez_p
Obviously Marilyn and Dude have lots of spare cash so you can always pay for an extra hour of parking that you don't use. Presumably also you don't mind paying extra when you have no change. And you would also presumably be quite happy when you eventually get a PCN based on a technicality like you displayed your ticket in the wrong window, because you broke the rules. A grace period should be a guideline for the wardens to allow for inaccuracies in watches and a slight delay in the shops - not a rule for the person parking to abide by.
Reply ID 43782
quote:Do you really think the average driver will be thinking of it from an "entitlement" Vs "grace period" point of view?? What is a current ticket if its not simply a grace period allowing you to park for 60 minutes? In reality, all that will happen is people will change the mind set for being able to park for 1 hour and 15 minutes instead of 60 minutes. People won't analyse their shop any more than they do now, they will simply say "I've got to get back to the car in one and quarter hours, or I'll get a ticket from those b*strds". People will continue to be late and those that get tickets may find there will be a few less supporters concerning their plight, but in the long run the "why can't we pay on exit" arguement and the "all attendants should die" attitudes will continue, be it 15 minutes later!
Originally posted by Steve The difference is that one is two minutes past your ticket expiry time and the other is 17 minutes past your ticket expiry time. A grace period is exactly that, it is not an additional entitlement, it is a period during which your "offence" will be overlooked.
Reply ID 44609
Rather taken by surprise yesterday - a brace of traffic wardens strolling down Mill Road opposite Tesco. Half past ten on a sunday morning? Are they really expecting to ticket many people at that time?
Reply ID 44615
quote:Yes. They target people who drive into Hertford on a Saturday evening, have a few drinks and leave their cars to collect the next day.
Originally posted by Leo Densian
Rather taken by surprise yesterday - a brace of traffic wardens strolling down Mill Road opposite Tesco. Half past ten on a sunday morning? Are they really expecting to ticket many people at that time?
Reply ID 44618
quote:Are there any parking restrictions on Sunday? Thought they were Mon-Sat?
Originally posted by Ewoowarquote:Yes. They target people who drive into Hertford on a Saturday evening, have a few drinks and leave their cars to collect the next day.
Originally posted by Leo Densian
Rather taken by surprise yesterday - a brace of traffic wardens strolling down Mill Road opposite Tesco. Half past ten on a sunday morning? Are they really expecting to ticket many people at that time?
Reply ID 44620
There are plenty of parking restrictions on a Sunday - double yellow lines for example are no parking at any time - yet unfortunately our traffic wardens don't operate such universal hours.
Reply ID 44621
Ah, but they do! I saw some yesterday ticketing a load of cars parked in the pedestrian area in front of WH Smith. Quite refreshing. If they worked Saturday night they could hit their targets in one night.
Reply ID 44622
They could easily hit their targets if they ticketed illegally parked taxis as well.
Reply ID 44626
There is usually a small crop around Shire Hall on a Sunday morning.