| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Loading on single yellow line gets a ticket from a parking camera | |
| Posted by: | Milena Vincic | |
| Date/Time: | 11/06/09 13:01:00 |
| I pay the majority of my parking tickets without any argument because ultimately if I have been stupid enough to park illegally then I have to pay the price. However I identify with the frustration of motorists who are ticketed clandestinely or caught out by changes in parking restrictions that have not been properly signposted. There are undoubtably an inordinate amount of drivers who will stop/park wherever they like with a complete disregard for the traffic and problems they cause out of sheer laziness. Although I do not defend these actions I do feel that it is becoming increasing difficult to park legally to do things like stop at a cashpoint or drop/pick someone up from the station. The celebration of successfully exploiting loopholes in the law to escape parking charges stems from the sense of persecution felt even by responsible drivers who try their best to abide by all the rules and regs of the road and yet still find themselves 'caught out'. The sheer number of parking offences it is possible to commit at every turn have shifted public perception of these restrictions and those who enforce/rule on them. Rather than seeing restrictions as aids to traffic flow and public safety we are regarding them as money making schemes by councils out to get the motorists. The arbitariness of fines issued go against our sense of what is fair. I find myself using my car less and less as it becomes increasing difficult and expensive to park, particularly if I am going to an area I dont know very well and am therefore more likely to be caught out by some restriction or other i am not familiar with. No doubt this will be music to the ears of environmentalists everywhere however I also have the safety of myself and my two children to consider and sometimes driving is not an option but a necessity, what it certainly is not is a pleasure. |