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

  • jacross on 27/04/2019 - 08:28
    +10

    I'm actually glad you got fined. As retrospective punishment for you subsequently making this asinine post.

  • HeWhoKnows on 27/04/2019 - 08:30
    +1

    Dear OP

    Do you know the meaning of the words NO STOPPING

    If not consult the dictionary!

    GUILTY AS CHARGED

    Pay the fine and stop wasting everyones time

  • kyle on 27/04/2019 - 08:40
    +1

    Why do ppl equate inconvenience with blocking someone? Inconvenience includes making someone change lanes like those dicks who stop at clearways even temporarily.

  • Weezle on 27/04/2019 - 09:38
    +4

    Another one of these stupid threads. Stop wasting everyone's time

  • Daztro on 27/04/2019 - 10:04

    The only option that I could see for contesting the fine would be based on if the sigh was timed.

    https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/signs/regulatory

    Have you checked the sign in question to see if this is the case?

  • TheBird on 27/04/2019 - 10:14
    +2

    Is there anyway I can contest this

    You could always go into the court and explain to the judge how the world is flat. They will see the errors of their ways and let you off.

  • summerz on 27/04/2019 - 10:49
    +1

    Many still think stopping in no stop/parking zone while there’s a driver in the car ready to move when told too, should be fine. It’s time to rid of this misconception which was probably true 10-20yrs ago. EVERYONE is aware why people do it (100% to go to the shops, not ignorance), so on the spot no warning fines have been introduced sometime back. Don’t stop in these zones while your partner nicks in to get something, you’re not going to get warned…it’s now a risk, not a fail safe.

  • Gronk on 27/04/2019 - 11:00

    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.

    I think I'll just stop reading right there, if OP thinks that constitutes sound reasoning then I'm going to assume they have an additional chromosone.

  • Baysew on 27/04/2019 - 11:15
    +3

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

    Perhaps you should focus on the much more important issue, rather than a self inflicted parking fine.

  • No ONE on 27/04/2019 - 11:39

    Ask for a photo evidence. If they don't have a photo, then contest.

  • Shaun R on 27/04/2019 - 12:00
    +1

    Well, you could educate yourself on YouTube of the Sovereign Citizen movement. The fine is probably addressed to a name in ALL CAPS (eg RAWR KUN), and according to the sovcits, that’s not the real you - only Rawr Kun is the real you. Take it to court and contest that you have no obligation to pay because it’s not addressed to the real you.

    /s

    Just pay the fine and don’t stop in a NO STOPPING zone, because that’s precisely what it means: NO STOPPING!

    • robberbutton on 29/04/2019 - 16:32

      Well, you could educate yourself on YouTube of the Sovereign Citizen movement.

      Just be warned, that's an entertaining yet cringeworthy rabbit hole to go down!

  • andyhui01 on 27/04/2019 - 12:08
    +1

    Been there, done that and learnt my lesson. Never did it again. I hope you did too.

    Just a tip. You may still get fined but I spoke to a ranger about this and this specific one said that we won't generally fine you if you stopped at a loading zone to let a passenger out/in and immediately left without waiting. Maybe you should do this instead next time.

  • abuch47 on 27/04/2019 - 12:38
    -6

    definitely contest. You did the wrong hing knowingly but you complied with the direction of the council officer. Id be asking for the proof at a minimum and pleading that you did not know you were in a no standing zone and when asked to move you did. Vicpol would offer some discretion in this instance but local counicls are some of the most grubby organisations in the country.

    • abuch47 on 28/04/2019 - 11:41

      Ozbargain is one of the worst circle jerks around. Everyone just wants to be right and punch down on everything.

      You all voted that Melbourne traffic laws are too strict and expensive yet you want local government to get more money for parking infringements which I dont think needs explaining how hypocritical that is. Police are revenue raisers but parking officers save lives /s

  • Herbse on 27/04/2019 - 12:52
    +2

    Go away troll

  • athk on 27/04/2019 - 13:07
    -1

    Obviously no stopping means no stopping, but I'm wondering what proof there is to this.

    The Ranger was off duty (still doesn't matter just curious)
    Did he even took a photo for evidence?
    Did he take a photo whilst driving (not in park with the engine off)..

    Out of curiosity I'd like to see the evidence, if there isn't any I guess you could contest the fine.

    Sounds like there's more to this story though.

    • 91rs on 27/04/2019 - 17:46

      You mean apart from OPs admission that he stopped for a minute in a no stopping zone. Why should you need anything else when there is an admission of guilt?

      • athk on 27/04/2019 - 20:51
        -1

        Curiosity.

  • Tech5 on 27/04/2019 - 13:41
    +12

    You have made 3 forum posts on here. All of them are trying to get out of something lol

    1. Lease
    2. Financing
    3. Fine
    • dcep on 27/04/2019 - 14:16
      +3

      guess definition of bargain extends to bargaining your way out of penalty

    • UFO on 27/04/2019 - 14:20
      +5

      It appears that OP doesn't understand the concept of taking responsibility for ones actions.

      Trying to get out of financial predicaments of his own choosing, at the expense of others.

      Hopefully he learns his lesson before it costs him a lot more in the future.

  • whooah1979 on 27/04/2019 - 13:45

    This is not related to OP, but we stop and park in No stopping and No parking all the time. We don't see it as a risk to safety.

    P.S We're permitted by other legislation to do so.

    • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2019 - 13:49
      +1

      Exemptions apply so only very few would be stopping. Sometimes it isn't a safety issue but if everyone was given the "exemption", there'd be chaos.

      • whooah1979 on 27/04/2019 - 14:00

        You're right on the chaos part.

    • bargainhunter87 on 30/04/2019 - 15:04

      Where did you get your law degree from?

      • whooah1979 on 02/05/2019 - 01:06
        +1

        I don't understand your question.

  • gimme on 27/04/2019 - 13:55
    +1

    These posts are hilarious and get almost identical responses across the board from the "learn your lesson" brigade or the long winded stories about unrelated circumstances.
    Need a forum section on how to find loopholes to circumvent legal bs to attract the dodgy crowd and keep the self righteous types away.

    • dcep on 27/04/2019 - 14:17

      might as well start a new site OzDodgy

    • [Deactivated] on 28/04/2019 - 16:21
      -2

      You'd think a community for the descendants of convicts would be a little less serious about the law.
      From what I can tell, most of the people here are seniors or upper-middle class dudes, so their goody-goody responses really aren't that surprising.

      • gimme on 28/04/2019 - 19:25
        +1

        I still get the self righteous so called law abiding ones but there's quite a few on here that seem to take genuine pleasure out of other's 'misery' which is disconcerting. Then again the wider society is the same so no different I guess.

      • [Deactivated] on 29/04/2019 - 15:57
        +1

        You'd think that 100% off driving/parking offences should be the finest bargain of all? Doesn't get much better than 100% off.

        • [Deactivated] on 30/04/2019 - 17:00

          You got that right

    • SydStrand on 29/04/2019 - 22:47

      No stopping zones exist for a reason, just like loading zones and handicap parking. While it'd be great to stop your car wherever you like, part of sharing the road is agreeing to rules that sometimes inconveniences you, because someone else might need it more.

      It's not about being self-righteous. We've all copped parking fines, but you take it on the chin and don't do it again. OP is 100% in the wrong here.

      • gimme on 29/04/2019 - 23:04

        All about context. 10 empty handicap spaces outside my coles at 11:30pm. I see the odd bogan park there for a few mins. Do I care? No. Busy times where it would impact someone's livelihood is a different story. Moral of the story, life is shades of grey but some ppl only see black and white

        • SydStrand on 30/04/2019 - 00:20

          In that example, there are likely countless other, non-handicap spots that would have inconvenienced said bogan mere meters to park in. And how about the OP's case? We know nothing about how busy it was. It was Easter, and a ranger happened to zoom past, so I doubt it was deserted.

          Life IS shades of grey. It's too complicated for us to play village elder and determine the 'righteousness' of every single action. It's why we have broad laws to benefit most people, most of the time; and yes, sometimes it's illogical and inconvenient.

  • ckria on 27/04/2019 - 15:24

    I was caught in a similar situation last October with difference being I just dropped my friends and got out in a matter of 10 to 15 seconds but I was fined. I requested an internal review but was rejected by the same person who issued the fine. Since then, i send them an email with some information, then they send me a letter with a new due date. On the due date, I send another one with more information and the same story continues so far. Almost about to set up a payment Plan with them. May I ask where you are, where you got the fine and whether it's got anything to do with Tenix Solutions?

  • Aerith-Waifu on 27/04/2019 - 16:34

    Good lesson for the others, thanks OP.

  • windale on 27/04/2019 - 17:03
    +7

    Next time don’t stop. Just drive very very very slowly and let the missus jump out while you are still moving. If you time it right she will be back before you reach the other end of the no stopping area. ;)

  • Ahbal on 27/04/2019 - 17:24
    +1

    no stopping zone

    stops in no stopping zone for a full minute

    "can I contest the fine?"

    Lmao. Classic.

  • 91rs on 27/04/2019 - 17:41

    Have to say it reminds me of this, slightly NSFW for the noises.
    https://youtu.be/E2vjvaIKnr8?t=18

    Just in case OP rolls through a stop sign next week.

  • justwii on 27/04/2019 - 21:20
    -1

    Not saying you are right, but always try to appeal first, there is no harm to try your luck. And if things go south, you can still have another chance at the court, but that can potentially hurt you more. But who knows, there are not short of cases that they let people off the hook due to whatever reason.

    However, most importantly, your attitude is to admit your wrong, not to argue you are any right.

    • bargainhunter87 on 30/04/2019 - 15:06
      -1

      Worst advice.

      Think about how that letter would read to a presiding officer. "Dear Officer, I did the wrong thing and I am sorry please don't take my money." That's not how it works anymore. Do the crime do the time. Period.

      • justwii on 01/05/2019 - 03:47
        -1

        Don't believe him OP. Many deserve a second chance, may be not him.

        • bargainhunter87 on 01/05/2019 - 08:50
          -1

          You try your luck when there are special circumstances to appeal…over here there are not.

  • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2019 - 22:19

    Sucked in

    Cough up the money

  • apu on 28/04/2019 - 08:47
    +1

    No offence, but from what I can tell from other posts you work full time in Canberra and also bought a brand-new car recently. Pay this measly fine. Also it sounds like you are stopping outside the shop to buy something so it’s not like you’re completely poor.

  • gezza90 on 28/04/2019 - 09:34

    It's people like you I cannot get dropped off or picked up at train stations. I'm not referring to "no stopping areas" but "no parking, kiss and ride areas". THEY ARE NOT THERE FOR PEOPLE TO MOMENTARILY PARK FOR A MINUTE AND THE DRIVE OFF. how many times I've been waiting at the kiss and ride area and there's a bunch of people parked in them. Then the other person comes to pick me up but there's no room. FFS

    • alxr0101 on 28/04/2019 - 15:32

      "NO PARKING" does permit a stopped vehicle for up to 2 minutes (edit..checked…not 5 minutes), provided the driver is no further from the vehicle than 3 metres.

      Perhaps you can ascertain and report back whether the "kiss and ride" flavour of zones has additional restrictive provisions.

      As annoying as it may be, if indeed it is subject to NO PARKING restrictions, then those vehicles are entitled to remain there for up to 2 minutes.

      Edit..corrected…2 minutes and 3 metres

  • Scantu on 28/04/2019 - 09:47

    Is there anything to be said for the fact that a council worker pulled you over, not a police man? I hope they have evidence of it and not just his word…

  • WhoGiveAShxt on 28/04/2019 - 10:00
    -2

    Well, I hate to tell you the bad news. As your title said, you were well aware the "no stopping" sign, which means it is NO stopping.

    Just pay the damn fine and do not fall on the same trap again. or simply don't get caught.

  • j4ck on 28/04/2019 - 11:19

    Classic OzBargain…

  • ajr5k on 28/04/2019 - 13:56

    "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"

    I stopped there. If you can't do the time, don't commit the crime.

  • ilikeverycheapstuff on 28/04/2019 - 14:07

    You’re lucky…if there’s no “No Stopping”, you’ll be loosing 2 demerit points as well.

    NSW and local governments generally accept no excuses for such offences

  • alxr0101 on 28/04/2019 - 15:27

    The OP is seeking a new sub-class of No Stopping signs. I can see now the rollout of stickers to be allocated across selected existing signs, "NO STOPPING …unless it's inconvenient and, despite zero insight as to why the sign is here, it otherwise appears to be safe to stop here to mitigate the inconvenience of seeking more appropriate, safer, less annoying, place to stop…."

    It's No Stopping…there will be a reason why.

  • phaol7ta on 28/04/2019 - 18:29

    bro, seriously you can only contest the fine if you have these 3 conditions:
    1. you have mental illness
    2. emergency situation (like u re pregnant and your water broke)
    3. your car broke down.
    99% they will let you go if you write letter to them with these reasons and provide compelling evidence.
    source: my mate is local law officer in council.

    • John Kimble on 28/04/2019 - 18:44

      compelling evidence

      or maybe just evidence?

    • bargainhunter87 on 30/04/2019 - 15:11

      Worst post. I'm out of negs but have one anyway: NEG!

      I'll respond to your points individually:

      1. Does this post (which I disagree with WHOLE-HEARTEDLY) imply that mentally ill individuals have a PERMANENT "get out of jail free" card!?

      2. He already admitted that she went to get something from the shops. HOW THE HELL IS SHE GOING TO SAY SHE IS PREGNANT??

      3. Your car broke down. Yeah good excuse, EXCEPT FOR THE FACT that he drove off when the officer caught him?

      Don't quote your mate when this is make believe RUBBISH

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

    OP getting dabbed on: The Musical.

  • djones145 on 29/04/2019 - 10:45

    thank you for supporting the government
    please stop again!

    • Seedy seed on 30/04/2019 - 15:14

      Dont be bill shorten excuses.

  • [Deactivated] on 29/04/2019 - 11:19

    not a single response from the troll OP

    • Euphemistic on 29/04/2019 - 11:37

      It seems they got the message!

      • daewoo on 29/04/2019 - 15:43
        +1

        Based on all other parking threads, user "rawrkun" will become "DisabledUser23478562387" shortly.

  • trapper on 29/04/2019 - 12:42

    Next time just park on the footpath, lower fine ;)

  • cuteseal on 29/04/2019 - 14:19

    Hey OP, bit of a long shot, but if it was a public holiday and the parking sign has a "day of the week" on it, then it doesn't apply.

    https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/parking-and-transport/parki…

    • [Deactivated] on 29/04/2019 - 15:52

      I don't get why people neg the suggestions on how to get off the fine. This is ozbargain. 100% off the price of parking is a total bargain.

      • cuteseal on 29/04/2019 - 16:04
        +1

        Haha… I'm not particularly invested in OPs case either way but last week I was looking up the parking rules for Anzac Day and found that tidbit, so I just thought I would share.

  • sp3ctr41 on 29/04/2019 - 14:42
    +1

    Similarly, I pulled up into a no stopping zone, blinkers still on to pick someone up from the station because no parking. I got fined for moving into that spot for less than a minute. Pay up mate nothing you can do.

    • Samsungnote10 on 29/04/2019 - 17:59

      Yeah, blinkers on isnt a do whatever you feel like signal

  • [Deactivated] on 29/04/2019 - 15:55
    -1

    Only way I can see you contesting it is on lack of evidence that you committed the offence. Testimony of the officer isn't really good enough, they should have some dash cam footage, photos etc. So perhaps you could attack it from that route, request the evidence of the offence and see what they have and try to get it waived without ever going to court. I can't see taking it in front of a judge ending well for you as you don't have anything remotely sympathetic like a sick wife/child/dog to put up.

    Ultimately I think you should just pay the fine. It's probably not worth your time to try to fight it for that amount of money, and where it will likely be futile anyway.

    • Euphemistic on 29/04/2019 - 17:48

      Testimony of the officer isn't really good enough

      ummmm… yes it is.

      • [Deactivated] on 29/04/2019 - 18:35

        I've known a few people get out of traffic offences purely from having the officer not be available to give testimony, including one who got out of a major speeding violation which caused immediate loss of license. If that's all they have, its a potential avenue of exploitation.

        • Euphemistic on 29/04/2019 - 18:55

          It's all they need. So if the officer turns up, assuming you do take it to court and lose a days wages etc, then you'll be found guilty.

          • [Deactivated] on 29/04/2019 - 19:47

            @Euphemistic: Not suggesting its a good idea if you'll see that I "Ultimately I think you should just pay the fine." but if you want avenues to go down to get off the fine, I can't see any other possible way.

  • JsonDough on 29/04/2019 - 18:46

    So it wasnt you…

    https://youtu.be/2g5Hz17C4is

  • Charybdia on 29/04/2019 - 23:01
    +2

    Another day on OzFine.

  • frostman on 30/04/2019 - 08:09

    Look if you stopped at the No Stopping and don't have an emergency like a car break-down, etc then you get fined.

    What frustrates me are these arrogant rangers that now issue you a fine without any interaction (whilst hiding).

  • josetann on 30/04/2019 - 08:50

    Assuming this is footage of you dropping your wife off, I think you have a shot at contesting the fine:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VvfLuGuCFU

  • SnakeCasablanca on 30/04/2019 - 08:58
    +1

    Easy… Just go to court and say the following:

    I would like to plead guilty to every aspect of the crime. I stopped in a no stopping zone, I knew it was a no stopping zone and I have no mitigating circumstances as to why I stopped. It was just for my convenience.

    However I would like to draw Your Honours attention to the following fact. I am special and the rules of the world do not apply to me. I understand why other normal people not be allowed to stop there but I am not normal. I am above all of you. Also I am terrible with money and this would be a real strain on me at the moment. No one else would understand this financial strain like I do. Because as previously mentioned… I am special.

    The judge will have to let you off!

    • [Deactivated] on 30/04/2019 - 17:17
      +1

      The ultimate defence!

  • Miss B on 02/05/2019 - 06:50

    Plot twist: OP was the getaway driver. Wife heisted some jewellery worth $200 and OP is pissed they lost money on it.

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