Traffic Wardens

[Billy the Fish]

Are the scum of the earth. Up until yesterday I've never understood why people hate them so much. In the past I've had my share of tickets but always when I've been parked on yellow lines, annoying but fair enough.
Yesterday I had to go to a job in central London, and the only parking was on the metered spaces in the street outside. When I parked I realised that I only had a fiver, so I collared a passing traffic warden to tell him my situation and that I was going to get change, fine he said, you can park for 5 minutes without a ticket.
I asked him if there was anywhere nearby where I could get change and he didn't know but pointed me in one direction saying there was nothing the other way.
Off I went, and came back what was probably 5.5 - 6 minutes later to find a different one giving me a ticket.
I showed him my money and said that I had spoken to his colleague and told him that I had gone to get change, and he just said that he had already given me the ticket and couldn't do anything about it.
At this point I was so angry that I had both fists clenched, I think he thought I was going to hit him and tried to give me his camera. The only thing that stopped me doing it was the fact that he had my number plate and we were on a busy street, a £50 fine is better than getting arrested and sacked I suppose. In the end after a few minutes of arguing, he said he'd put a note on the ticket that he'd seen me return with change, so I now have to try and get it rescinded, but I don't hold much hope.
The final kick in the teeth came when I left the job and drove up the road in the direction the original warden had told me there were no shops, and saw a large newsagents/convienience store about 50 meters away from where we were standing.
Next time I read in the paper that someone's wrapped a brick round a traffic wardens head they will have no sympathy from me.

 

[Yorkie]

So you went to a job knowing you'd have to use a meter but didn't make sure you had some change before you went? Just asking.

 

[dougdeep]

I got a ticket at 1:30am in a London industrial estate.

 

[¸.·´¯`·.¸><((((º>]

He's only doing his job. keep some change in your car in future.

it ain't difficult.

 

[steve-c]

we watched a traffic warden give a utilities van a ticket, the road was closed, the workmen were down the great big hole in the road , the traffic warden was hiding behind their van , printed the ticket and as she walked pass stuck in under the wiper , we could'nt believe we had seen it .

 

[Nemesis]

Good luck getting it rescinded! I got a ticket in Westminster-the bastard traffic warden issued a ticket even though there was still 12 minutes left on the meter. I called over one of his fellow stormtroopers who was issuing tickets on the other side of the road, showed him the time left on the meter, got his number an thought the problem would be easily resolved.

Was it f***! The guy I called over denied talking to me and it took 6 months of effort for them to finally squash the ticket.

They may be 'only doing their job' but there are ways of going about it. They should work at issuing tickets to vehicles that are seriously causing obtructions to traffic flow instead of going for the high volume, revenue generating 'easy' tickets like meters expired by a minute or two. They are scummers of the highest order.

 

[Billy the Fish]

So you went to a job knowing you'd have to use a meter but didn't make sure you had some change before you went? Just asking.

I did ask about parking when I spoke to the customer and he said I could park outside, he didn't mention it was on a meter. I should've thought about it to be honest but hindsight is a wonderful thing.

He's only doing his job. keep some change in your car in future.

it ain't difficult.

It's not the ticket, but the way in which it happened that annoyed me so much. I told him I was getting change, at least have the decency to tell his mate where I was. The bloke who actually gave me a ticket wasn't even on the street when I left so there's no way he could've been there for 5 minutes. He might just be doing his job, but that doesn't mean it's right.

 

[¸.·´¯`·.¸><((((º>]

I did ask about parking when I spoke to the customer and he said I could park outside, he didn't mention it was on a meter. I should've thought about it to be honest but hindsight is a wonderful thing.

It's not the ticket, but the way in which it happened that annoyed me so much. I told him I was getting change, at least have the decency to tell his mate where I was. The bloke who actually gave me a ticket wasn't even on the street when I left so there's no way he could've been there for 5 minutes. He might just be doing his job, but that doesn't mean it's right.

I'm sure you, and in fact most people, would do the same if you were in his position. He is earning a living. I don't know for sure but I would imagine traffic wardens are on some sort of performance related package. Giving out tickets earns him money. He will give out as many as he thinks he can get a way with. Who can blame him?

If you don't like it, either

a) park legally

or

b) if you choose to park illegally, accept it when you are caught out (even if it is only for a minute, i was just getting some change honest) but for god sake don't whine like a girl about it.

 

[dougdeep]

If you don't like it, either

a) park legally

or

b) if you choose to park illegally, accept it when you are caught out (even if it is only for a minute, i was just getting some change honest) but for god sake don't whine like a girl about it.

Don't you love smart arses, do you drive in London on a regular basis?

 

[¸.·´¯`·.¸><((((º>]

Don't you love smart arses, do you drive in London on a regular basis?

Nope. thankfully.

 

[BensGrandad]

Once you have raised an objection to a ticket , provided it is within the 7 or 14 days to get the cheap rate they will stop the proceedings until it is resolved. You must then just keep writing to them using 2nd class stamps and eventually they will concede, if you argue every single point via letter and await their reply.

I got £100 fine for cutting across a bus lane to turn left on the way to QPR. The picture was so clear that you could see the seagull emblem on my T shirt but I argued that I was turning left and entitled to go across the bus lane. I lost that case but it took them nearly 12 months to get the money which I was able to pay when I had a bonus come at work.

I have won numerous parking tickets and never ever expect to pay them by using the methods above. It has now become a bit of a game if I get a ticket, to see who will win

 

[Les Biehn]

Once you have raised an objection to a ticket , provided it is within the 7 or 14 days to get the cheap rate they will stop the proceedings until it is resolved. You must then just keep writing to them using 2nd class stamps and eventually they will concede, if you argue every single point via letter and await their reply.

I got £100 fine for cutting across a bus lane to turn left on the way to QPR. The picture was so clear that you could see the seagull emblem on my T shirt but I argued that I was turning left and entitled to go across the bus lane. I lost that case but it took them nearly 12 months to get the money which I was able to pay when I had a bonus come at work.

I have won numerous parking tickets and never ever expect to pay them by using the methods above. It has now become a bit of a game if I get a ticket, to see who will win

You do know how to have some fun.

 

[bhanutz]

So you went to a job knowing you'd have to use a meter but didn't make sure you had some change before you went? Just asking.

that's a bit harsh Yorkie, I suppose you would never have mad the same mistake....

judging by some other comments on the board it wouldnt suprise me if you were in collusion with the traffic wardens, as you seem to like authority (stewards) cough cough!

 

[Billy the Fish]

I'm sure you, and in fact most people, would do the same if you were in his position. He is earning a living. I don't know for sure but I would imagine traffic wardens are on some sort of performance related package. Giving out tickets earns him money. He will give out as many as he thinks he can get a way with. Who can blame him?

Don't judge everyone by your own poor moral standards. Would I f*** other people over for the sake of a few quid in commission? No I wouldn't. Why? Because I'm not a complete c**t.
Thanks for the advice BG, I think that's what I'm going to do.

 

[Gully]

Whoa, if a traffic warden is being paid on a comission basis then who would fault him for handing out as many tickets as possible, no different to any other job in sales where you rely on your performance to bump up what is probably a pretty poor basic wage. I am sure there are plenty of people on here who work as say, estate agents, insurance salesmen, mortgage advisors...would they take issue with a traffic warden acting in the same way as they do to earn a crust, probably not.

 

[Easy 10]

I doubt very much whether traffic wardens are actually on any kind of commission when it comes to dishing out tickets. But no doubt they have specific targets to meet, and questions to be answered if they don't meet their quota.

 

[chez]

Don't you love smart arses, do you drive in London on a regular basis?

From the post I imagine that he or she more likely has never even been to London and probably doesnt drive.

Traffic wardens are scum, Ive only ever had 2 tickets both were unjust and when I argued about it all I got back was a smug grin. One of them actually said it was me that was out of order for saying that I hoped his boyfriend died of aids (something I wouldn't usually say but as already stated much better than getting arrested which is what would have happened if I hadnt controlled myself). f***ing wankers!!

 

[Lady Whistledown]

One of them actually said it was me that was out of order for saying that I hoped his boyfriend died of aids (

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I cant really see the issue. Most people I know keep a load of shrapnel in their car for such situations?

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Hmmm, I can't quite work out what is so bad about traffic wardens compared to other public servants.

Bank managers refuse you loans, or charge you for being overdrawn, but I've not heard of anyone going into Barclays and telling the manager with clenched fists that they hope his boyfriend dies of AIDS.

Estate agents are notorious for misleading people, but people don't generally go into Mishon Mackay and spit at the woman behind the desk.

And insurance companies will try anything in the book to avoid paying out the full amount when you prang your car, but it doesn't mean hordes of people descending on Royal & Sun Alliance to punch the crap out of the claims handler.

So what is so different about parking attendants that makes some people so incapable of exercising a bit of basic self control? You might be a bit pissed off at getting a ticket, but nobody deserves to get spat at for doing what they're paid to do (take it from me, it happens). Grow up, contest the ticket if you so wish, but there's no need to resort to childish abuse, or worse, physical threats.