Need Help with a No Stopping Zone Fine

Rawrkun on 26/04/2019 - 17:55
Last edited 27/04/2019 - 09:14 by 1 other user

I pulled my car over at a no stopping zone recently on Easter as I couldn't find any parking and my wife needs to collect something quickly from the shop. My car was not blocking anyone, the engine was still running and I turned on the indicator. I was there for about a minute or so.

Unfortunately a council ranger was driving behind and saw my car. He then honked at me, stopped next to my car, rolled down his window and just shouted rather rudely at me to move away, which I did. At that time, I didn't even know who that was, as he was driving an unmarked vehicle and wearing plain clothings.

Anyway a few days later, I got a letter in my mail saying that I've been fined $263 for the infringement. Is there anyway I can contest this or seek an extension for the payment? My finance is in a terrible mess at the moment which is even more depressing..

Automotive

Comments

  • Ocker on 26/04/2019 - 18:06
    +132

    On what basis do you think you can contest the fine - you have admitted you illegally stopped in a no stopping zone.
    Just pay the fine and learn from the experience.

    • Montyjpm on 27/04/2019 - 12:25

      I know this will not help the OP but about 10 years ago my brother was in crutches and having pain in his leg. When I took him to the family GP, I dropped him off at the No Stopping near the doctor and got booked. Managed to contest the fine with the Gov by saying it was a medical related stop and got the fine waved.

      • dcep on 27/04/2019 - 14:08
        -2

        do you have to proof it ?

        • Icecold5000 on 28/04/2019 - 15:49
          +6

          Yes because there are all kinds of lowlife lying scumbag douches out there who will saying anything to get out of their obligations because they are inherently dishonest.

      • harrywwc on 27/04/2019 - 16:07
        +3

        from the NSW RMS site:

        No stopping/no standing

        These signs mean that in the area in the direction of the arrow you must not stop your vehicle at any point on the road or kerb, unless there is a medical or other emergency.

        https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/safety-rules/road-rules/par…

          • Milk tea on 28/04/2019 - 06:54
            +4

            @Montyjpm: He was asking if you had to prove that your brother had a medical reason to claim this and get it waived…

              • R-Man on 28/04/2019 - 11:32
                +21

                @Montyjpm:

                obviously I do not have and if I did, I cannot send it here for privacy reason

                You're still misunderstanding what phunkydude meant

                He simply asked "do you have to prove it?" (Corrected spelling). He's asking if you had to prove it 10 years ago.

                No need to call anyone a clown

              • MementoMori on 29/04/2019 - 11:29

                @Montyjpm: Ignore the negs Monty - you were being helpful.

          • arcticmonkey on 28/04/2019 - 20:30
            +4

            @Montyjpm: This escalated quickly.

    • AndiCee on 22/08/2020 - 09:43

      Admitting you were at fault does not affect your chances of a successful appeal.

      • kerfuffle on 22/08/2020 - 09:55

        Why reply to a comment that's 14 months old?

        • Baysew on 22/08/2020 - 10:38

          Just a practise run for a new member.

  • jorf on 26/04/2019 - 18:09
    +34

    No stopping means exactly that. You got a fine for it. Not sure what you're expecting here.

    • Lord Fart Bucket on 27/04/2019 - 15:01
      +2

      What OP is asking for - as I read it - is a payment plan

      • djones145 on 29/04/2019 - 10:45

        Is there anyway I can contest this or seek an extension for the payment?

        hes asking for both
        either getting off or extension

  • wizzy on 26/04/2019 - 18:09
    +18

    You stopped in a no stopping zone. You can't stop in a no stopping zone for any amount of time. Not even one minute. You should pay the fine.

    • mskeggs on 26/04/2019 - 21:06
      +20

      Even if it is inconvenient to find parking elsewhere?

      • J5 on 27/04/2019 - 06:52
        +1

        Areas are no stopping either

        For safety
        Inconvenience to other road users as in blocking the road which in turn can be a safety issue

        Op could have dropped wife off in 10 secs and could have done a lap of the block , still would t have been legal though

        • Love a bargain on 27/04/2019 - 13:56
          +1

          No stopping means OP couldn't drop off the wive there either - although I'm sure he could have found somewhere nearby where he could do so legally

          • DarwinBoy on 28/04/2019 - 09:15
            +1

            @Love a bargain: He could of dropped her off as long as the car kept moving and she made a jump for it…technically???

            • Samsungnote10 on 28/04/2019 - 09:34

              @DarwinBoy: But then she'd be fined for dangerous activity in public or something along those lines

              • DarwinBoy on 28/04/2019 - 11:51
                +3

                @Samsungnote10: So we would go from 'need help with a no stopping fine' to 'need help with performing dangerous activity in a public place'
                Wouldn't be a big a waste of time this post is.

      • sareth on 27/04/2019 - 10:38
        +9

        "No stopping but actually nah you're allowed to stop if ya can't be bothered to go somewhere else" isn't what "no stopping" means.

      • digitalbargain on 28/04/2019 - 20:17
        +1

        Even if it is inconvenient to find parking elsewhere?

        Even if wife needs to collect something quickly from the shop

  • John Kimble on 26/04/2019 - 18:11
    +12

    Yes, you can enter a payment plan with SDRO. Call to verify the below if you want.

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/6460138/redir

  • try2bhelpful on 26/04/2019 - 18:16
    +2

    Might be worth looking into this.

    https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/fines-and-fees/pay/financial-…

    Sounds like the guy was being a bit hard ass, but there isn’t much you can do to contest the fine.

    • HeWhoKnows on 27/04/2019 - 08:34

      The only hard ass was OP.
      NO STOPPING signs are there for good reasons

      Usually because parking there poses a danger to other drivers and/or pedestrians

      OP should hang his head in shame endangering others

      • try2bhelpful on 27/04/2019 - 13:00
        -6

        The odds on the OP actually endangering others by stopping for a couple of a minutes at a NO STOPPING sign is extremely small. However, he may have inconvenienced a number of people. Better than him stopping in the middle of the road; which seems to be the domain of taxi and Uber drivers. He moved as soon as he was requested to; I stand by my original comment. He is liable to the fine but I, still, think the people who pinged him was a hard ass.

        • Domingo on 28/04/2019 - 09:54
          +1

          Not sure why you've been lynched with negative voted for being reasonable. I imagine this scenario occurs hundreds of times a day without being fined, OP was unlucky. If it was heavy traffic or a single lane road then it may have inconvenienced others but there is every chance it didn't.

          Nonetheless, it was against the road rules and the fine is valid, just don't have enough info to know if it was really deserved

        • HeWhoKnows on 30/04/2019 - 16:29
          +2

          Only takes 5 seconds to kill somebody who cant see the cars coming because OP parked in a NO STOPPING zone.

          If it wasnt so critical it would be marked as NO PARKING.

          OP is guilty and fine was well deserved. Lesson learn't Dont do it again

      • R-Man on 28/04/2019 - 19:26

        Hehe I caught the sarcasm, nice work

  • Euphemistic on 26/04/2019 - 18:17
    +26

    *** sigh ***

    • pegaxs on 26/04/2019 - 18:43
      +10

      Come on, it’s not like we have had these same “no stopping” themed threads every day.. it’s at least 48 hours between them.

  • Hithere on 26/04/2019 - 18:22
    +7

    I pulled my car over at a no stopping zone recently

    Do the crime, pay the fine OP.

    Try posting this on Whirlpool, they'll rip you a new one.

      • Seedy seed on 27/04/2019 - 07:22
        +23

        I beg to differ, i wasted my life reading this.

    • usyhdchang on 27/04/2019 - 16:28
      +2

      I already knew the comments that will appear once I saw the OP subject. The Ozbargain community is capable of ripping new ones into traffic violators all on our own.

  • Seraphin7 on 26/04/2019 - 18:37
    +3

    What do you think "No Stopping" means?

    • JimmyF on 26/04/2019 - 19:02
      +10

      means the OP is exempt from it.

    • payton on 26/04/2019 - 22:40
      +1

      "No Stopping" means

      No Stopping if there's a convenient parking spot nearby

  • whooah1979 on 26/04/2019 - 18:40
    -3

    Easter revenue. ;)

  • SnoozeAndLose on 26/04/2019 - 18:43
    -6

    Ask for photo evident? I doubt he is able to drive and take photo

    • zonra on 26/04/2019 - 18:46
      +5

      By the sound of it he does have photo evidence (most likely dashcam footage).
      I doubt he just memorised the rego to write up the fine later.

      • SnoozeAndLose on 26/04/2019 - 18:48
        +1

        Can ask for the evidence first

        • mskeggs on 26/04/2019 - 21:08
          +1

          Sure, he has a sworn statement he saw it happen. How do,you think the world works?

    • [Deactivated] on 26/04/2019 - 20:58
      +8

      For many years parking rangers issued fines without taking photos. There is no requirement for them to have a photo they just do it because it stops people whinging.

    • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2019 - 08:31

      OP already said they did commit the offence.

      What is it with trying to get off on a technicality?

      If someone tries to do that to me, I'd contract someone on a public holiday to review your case, send you your photos, reject your claim and bill you for it too.

  • JimmyF on 26/04/2019 - 19:01
    +7

    I pulled my car over at a no stopping zone recently on Easter as I couldn't find any parking and my wife needs to collect something quickly from the shop

    So you pulled over and parked/stopped while she ran into the shops? Hmmm

    My car was not blocking anyone, the engine was still running and I turned on the indicator.

    Had the wheels been moving still? If not, you're stopped.

    Is there anyway I can contest this

    Sure, but on what grounds? What you have presented so far, shows you knowing stopped in a no stopping zone for reasons of no value.

    My finance is in a terrible mess at the moment which is even more depressing..

    And? Doesn't mean you get off free. Do the crime, pay the fine.

  • GangGang on 26/04/2019 - 19:29
    +15

    The person who yelled at you may have not been the ranger. The ranger may have been walking & discreetly taken the photo of your car & rego and walked off.

    As for the finance. Read the form it will give you information about payment and help with it.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/04/2019 - 19:35
    +4

    Engine running is a pretty common mistaken defence. It means nothing. The fine seems legit.

    • DarwinBoy on 28/04/2019 - 09:19
      +3

      Also putting your hazard lights on doesn't make you magically exempt.

      • Samsungnote10 on 28/04/2019 - 09:36
        +1

        Yeah I've seen a lot of people especially overseas students use hazard lights as a I can do whatever I want

        Once saw a guy put hazard lights and stop in a no standing across a drive way as well in the city and get out and run off

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 29/04/2019 - 08:23

        Sigh, where I live hazard lights are used to double park, block 2-3 legally parked cars and block traffic behind them whilst some baby boomer strolls into the bakery to grab a loaf of bread.

    • bargainhunter87 on 26/04/2019 - 21:24

      If she actually has a medical condition, might be worth a shot. Just need proof.

      • DiLs on 26/04/2019 - 21:29
        +5

        She needed 'retail therapy' urgently

  • Godric on 26/04/2019 - 21:08
    +4

    Pay & Move on

  • bargainhunter87 on 26/04/2019 - 21:15

    Sorry to hear about your financial situation. It'll take a lot of stopping for them to take back the fine, doesn't look like it will happen though.

    • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2019 - 22:25

      Who cares about his financial situation?

      • khomeini on 28/04/2019 - 08:43
        +3

        Me… grabs popcorn
        Tell Aunty OzBy why your finances are in a shambles dear?

        Is it because your wife jumps off to do unnecessary shopping at the locals whilst you wait like a getaway driver or your addiction to the OzBargain way of life?

  • SydStrand on 27/04/2019 - 00:56
    +16

    Ignorance of traffic law isn't an excuse. It's the whole reason we take a theory test before the driving exam. You stopped in a no stop zone, you have no grounds to contest.

    Maybe they can offer a payment plan. But if $263 is breaking your balls, all the more reason to be mindful of what money you have, by not pushing your luck via illegal parking, or blindly signing new car contracts.

  • EightImmortals on 27/04/2019 - 06:27
    -7

    OP for the future, let your wife out, drive around the block then pick her up again. Go on the payment plan and pay the buggers $1 a week, that way they get their tax and you don't get into further trouble.

    • UFO on 27/04/2019 - 14:17
      +1

      No… in the future, DON'T STOP IN A NO STOPPING ZONE! Wife can get out elsewhere and walk.

      • The Value on 27/04/2019 - 17:46
        -1

        Hey, man, back in the old days with J.C., we used to walk everywhere. Did you ever hear of a fat apostle?

  • dammit on 27/04/2019 - 07:17
    -1

    That fine amount sounds low for no stopping. I thought it was $330 or something?

    • EightImmortals on 27/04/2019 - 07:22
      -8

      Should be $50 tops. Bloody thieves.

      • Seedy seed on 27/04/2019 - 07:26
        +4

        That wouldnt deter op though.

      • IceCreamBandit on 27/04/2019 - 07:29
        +2

        The point of the fine is to act as a deterrent from offending. If it was made "$50 tops", I'd say a lot more people would be willing to cop 'a very expensive parking fee' when they have in fact done something unsafe to themselves and/or other road users.

          • Roll Eyes on 27/04/2019 - 10:45
            +2

            @EightImmortals: It’s nothing to do with blocking “access”.. It’s usually because stopping there impedes the traffic lane flow, or it blocks vision from an intersection, those out-there scenarios that nobody can consider on their own.

            And yes, you “must obey all rules without question”, that is literally what YOU agree to when YOU apply for a licence ffs.

          • qwerty on 27/04/2019 - 10:46

            @EightImmortals: It could also be so larger vehicles can turn down the road - to deliver the goods to the shops and not cause a blockage

            or that pedestrians can safely cross the road near the supermarket entrance

            • EightImmortals on 27/04/2019 - 12:34
              -2

              @qwerty: It could be, and fair enough too. Most of the ones I've noticed seem to be closer to loading zones where stopping there for 2 seconds wouldn't cause any harm. Maybe the OP should post a pic. :)

      • idonotknowwhy on 27/04/2019 - 08:59
        +3

        10 years ago, I chose to park illegally in a Westfield because I knew the for was only $60. Happily paid the fine and wasn't late for my meeting. $50 isn't enough, it would just tell "no parking" zones into exclusive parking for the wealthy or those to don't know anything about money (I was in the later category)

      • DarwinBoy on 28/04/2019 - 09:21
        +1

        $50 up here in Darwin. Most parking fines are $40 or $50 except parking in a disability spot which is heaps more.
        It really isn't enough to deter people.

      • This Guy on 29/04/2019 - 10:55

        It can't be $50 as many car parks cost more than that per visit. The fine can't be cheaper than the legal option if it is to be a deterrent.

        Most labourers I know who work the city, park where they need to park and pass any fines on to their clients.

        • EightImmortals on 29/04/2019 - 10:59

          Car park extortion must be a city thing as they are nowhere near that out here. Fair enough on the amount in that case. But as for the OP in general, if the brownshirt from the council made the effort to stop (illegally double parked?)and abuse the OP then he should have left it at that UNLESS the OP refused to move his vehicle afterwards. Pretty scummy behaviour but one that we're all used to and seemingly complacent about these days.

          • This Guy on 29/04/2019 - 11:06

            @EightImmortals: OP was probably ticketed via camera.

            No stopping means no stopping. No parking means leave the engine running, the driver stays in the car and they move on promptly.

            Yes, enforcement of no stopping zones sucks, but necessary in some places, like main roads though old neighborhoods where there is no space for new roads without demolishing exisiting homes and businesses.

            • EightImmortals on 29/04/2019 - 11:08

              @This Guy: From the OP "a council ranger was driving behind and saw my car. He then honked at me, stopped next to my car, rolled down his window and just shouted rather rudely at me to move away, which I did. At that time, I didn't even know who that was, as he was driving an unmarked vehicle and wearing plain clothings."

              Sounds like he made a note of the OP's reg number and fined him anyway. Government can never have enough of other people's money after all. :)

    • kurisu on 27/04/2019 - 22:27

      OP's profile says they're in NSW, where the fine for that offence is $263 according to this document on the RMS website.

  • Hardlyworkin on 27/04/2019 - 07:41
    +1

    You could go with the "these laws don't apply to someone of my religion" excuse but it seems that hasn't been successful of late.

  • RM on 27/04/2019 - 07:53
    +1

    So as per OP is it ok to cross a red light even if no one is approaching from other sides? Geez…no stopping is there for a reason, it does not mean stopping for a few minutes is permitted.

  • LPV569 on 27/04/2019 - 08:14
    +2

    The fines are designed as a disincentive to those who know they are doing the wrong thing but do it anyway.

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