Hi,
I'm in NSW. I just got a parking ticket. It was a 1 hour spot, and FWIW, I overstayed by about 5 minutes.
The sign was slightly vandalised, and had a sticker over it (covering the arrow which says where the sign applies to). Yes it was readable…
I hate wasting my time with SDRO, as they are NEVER lenient. But I also hate wasting money.
Is there any grounds to dispute the ticket? What is the legality around sign "legibility"?
I guess my argument is that the arrow indicating where the time applies isn't clear….
I would request a review if you had parked to the side of arrow that's missing. You could argue that the time limit applied only on the direction of arrow.
You obviously knew you were parking in a timed zone, so I don't see how that argument is relevant.
Click here to request a review. You may need to upload supporting documents to prove your point.
That photo clearly shows a 1P in clear detail though, and if you were to upload that as supporting evidence, it would just prove that you haven't read the sign clearly. You would have no grounds to dispute that, since it's clear it says 1P 6-10PM.
isn't there a 10min leeway The parking officers photo should have a time stamp on it, if as you where saying only 5min over. I've never tried it myself thou.
Why would they offer a leeway, the leeway is any time in the first 60 mins ROFL…
I ran into one ranger in St Leonards one time during work who offered a leeway of a generous 10 mins for me to extend my parking by getting a new ticket from the machine. I didn't need it as I was actually leaving. But I think they may give a small window for parking where its ticketed. OP's case isn't ticketed.
I know I was shocked by the response of the ranger too. The one in a million ranger who was nice.
Powell, nice to hear there are still good people out there. I personally would love to just go around dining people who park in disabled spots without a sticker, it's a sore point with me.
@Slippery Fish: Depends on the ranger, area and time. Quiet area, quiet time, eh. Two minutes over in a clearway on Monday morning and you're getting towed.
Don't forget as it's not ticketed OP's time only started when the ranger went past the first time, which could have been 30 minutes after he parked. Only 5 minutes extra, sure…
Blame politicians for disabled parking. NSW was supposed to be brought into line with other states, but our beloved pollies nixed that. In other states you can only stay for twice as long as the sign says (so 2 hours as per OP's sign) but in NSW you can park all day. Drive into the city, park outside work, put Gran's card in the window as it's all good, man.
@Slippery Fish: What about all the ones that have the disabled parking permit dosplayed and are NOT disabled!
@Amayzingone: I have dreams of walking up behind them and stabbing them in the spine… Lol ok maybe not that serious.
What planet are you on???
The sign was not vandalised. It's in almost perfect condition and in 100% readable. Pay the fine.
I too was kinda expecting arrow or times to be covered
Yeah arrow was partially covered. Check the photo http://i.imgur.com/GiPGS2O.jpg . This is another sign which was near the car (although not closest to my car). http://i.imgur.com/eDTqztf.jpg
The parking inspectors take a photo of your rego, car and the sign (plus ticket & meter if applicable).
Don't contest the fine by sending in the photos, yours are probably better quality than theirs. Sorry dude, odds are you'll lose that one.
Yep. Regulations are there to assist the general public (including yourself in enjoying the limited availability of a car space.
Don't be ridiculous. This forum is surely only here so we can all work together to not take responsibility for our actions, that is why there are many threads on 'how do I get out of …'
To the OP: you broke the rules, pay the piper.
I used to be a ranger, and I can tell you one thing, it will not hurt for you to send a letter in explain why you don't need to pay as the sign is not clear with photo evidence and they may take your side. The infringement review officer has the task to see if their case holds up in court if they proceed!
Ya no harm done sending a letter. Is there any particular terminology should use? Or anything I can reference to substantiate the lack of clarity in the sign?
It's quite simple as mentioned below.
First proof is everything and it's mostly in the photo.
Secondly, just babble on that you're a model citizen and always abide by rules and have never exceeded times because you are aware of the law yadda yadda assuming you haven't got a history of fines!
And then request your ticket be withdrawn based on the lack of signage to support the fine.
Ignore the guy below, everyone needs to report inadequate signs and it's in the best interest of the council to fix it!
The attitudes of Ozb really surprises me. Unnecessary negs.
Anyway, the SDRO rejected my application saying they acknowledge my photos show an illegible sign, but that they have not way of "have no way determining if [the photos] reflect the situation at the time of the offence". No idea how I"m meant to "prove" my photos were taken at the time of the offence….
There is no such thing as quotas but there is such a thing as proving to your boss what you were doing with your time on the road , if you get my drift!
Fair call - we all dislike fines. By your own condemnation you overstayed, sad but true. Thems da rules.
Regards to the sign, sticker, arrow, this has no bearing on the 'time' facts. It is very legible, and it was your choice to park there without verifying the sign if you want to go down that road as a late defense(not a safe road to argue btw).
Pay da man.
The sdro should have images that the officer captured when the notice was issued. Have look to see if they can help your situation.
If you parked to the right of the sign you have no hope, the sign is not ambiguous.
If you parked to the left you might have a chance, although a slim one because most reasonable people would recognise the sign says no timed parking to the left.
Guilty as charged! Stop wasting our time and pay the measily $105 fine. And I bet it was more than 5 mins over! OMG. What a total waste of everyones time. Go away little boy and cry somehere else.
Bit harsh mate.
(assuming you parked to the left of the sign and can prove that too) i would say you almost have a chance as sure the arrow is ambiguous in your photo which looks like it was taken with a potato from the other side of the street but i would say you should go back there in the day and take some pictures that %100 prove that there was simply no way you could have known, its hard to tell from your photo that if you had gotten closer etc the answer would be more obvious and to stand a chance i think you need to be able to prove that.
that said i doubt they will let you off
You've already said yourself that the sign is still readable so the vandalism isn't going to be a workable excuse.
Not wanting to sound harsh because I hate parking tickets myself, but it just sounds like you've overstayed and looking for an excuse.
I wouldn't even bother wasting time writing in.