Original PCN
Signature of an anonymous PNPO, an Investor in People
Not so long ago I received a Penalty Charge Notice (PNC) for
parking as a Blue Badge (BB) holder in a restricted area. I had been totally
unaware that I had broken the law by parking where double yellow lines were additionally
marked by what is referred to as ‘ticks’; these are yellow painted marks on
adjacent curbs. They can be single or in pairs, evenly spaced, several feet
apart along the curb.
I appealed against the PNC, but for reasons unexplained,
other than the Parking Notice Processing Officer (PNPO) was ‘unable to cancel the notice’, I was
fined to the tune of £35.00.
Having put forward in my Appeal that I was not the regular
driver for the disabled children for whom the BB was granted, and that I was
unaware of having committed an offence, I was hopeful of a compassionate
response by way of a warning, and for the return of my cheque. Instead, it was
pointed out to me by the PNPO that the registered owner of the BB should have informed
me of the parking rules. The BB holder says I was told the rules, but I have no
recollection of hearing them, and as I have a shocking memory, I have no reason
to doubt that I was informed.
As a result of what has happened, I believe Civil
Enforcement Officers who give out Parking Charge Notices and those who
administer them, should be more flexible to accommodate unwitting drivers who
do not deliberately flaunt the rules. I also believe a zero tolerance response
to minor parking offences is uncalled for, because people are capable of making
mistakes and of misunderstanding rules, and they do not find it easy to grasp
the meaning of some parking signs. Drivers are not programmed automatons
incapable of error, nor are they anonymous PNPOs who are afraid of being
identified, and who do not legibly sign letters or append their real names to
correspondence.
My advice is, just be careful not to break parking rules,
because if you do, you likely will be treated as a computerised robot whose
circuits have failed. In times to come, for any breach of the rules, the way
things are going; penalty fees will automatically be deducted from your bank
account!
Links
Parking Charge Notice
2 comments:
Hello Bill, bad luck about the PCN, but not really suprised. The object of the game is revenue generation, an unfortunate sign of the times.
On a completely unrelated subject, I saw that your one-time sailing canoe, 'Caleb' is up for sale on e-bay, and you got quite a nice mention in the advertisement.
Richard,
The name of the game is 'Clamp'em and Fine'em' - beats Monopoly.
I know of 'Caleb' being on Ebay. She still looks in good nick, apart from a missing leeboard.
Cheers,
Bill.
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