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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Bloody furious! Given a traffic fine for following a policewoman's order!

35 replies

ResponsibleAdult · 15/10/2014 13:45

I was trying to turn right off a busy road, into a smaller road in order to access a multi storey car park. An incident had occurred at the far end of the road, ie after the entrance to the car park. An ambulance and police transit van were at the scene in the side road. Traffic was being let out out of the road, I presumed traffic was being allowed into the road.

I went to turn right, was stopped by a policewoman who denied me access and insisted I turned my car round. I couldn't reverse backwards into the oncoming traffic on the other side of the road (think that's probably against the Highway Code). I couldn't do a three point turn into the busy road. The policewoman instructed me to go in a bus lane. The bus lane is only for a 50m stretch until another junction.

I did as instructed by the policewoman presuming the bus lane had been suspended (as they do for roadworks etc).

Two weeks later I received a penalty charge notice for £130 for driving in a bus lane. I appealed, stating the reasons above. You can even see the police transit van in the CCTV image of my car stuck at the junction. They've written back saying it was "entirely avoidable". No it bloody wasn't, unless I disobeyed the policewoman, and all her chums sitting in the transit van. I've "14 days discounted period only their italics " to pay £65 otherwise it increases to £130.

I don't think I should pay. Angry What do I do now?

(The lady in the incident was fine, she walked to the ambulance. No, I couldn't walk into town as I was collecting something ordered. This is my first traffic offence in 28yrs driving).

OP posts:
Icimoi · 15/10/2014 13:46

There's an appeal process which you can use. Perhaps you could also make inquiries with the police to see if you can find the police officer in question?

Hoppinggreen · 15/10/2014 13:47

Contact the police station closest to the incident and ask if they will back up your story.
Long shot but worth a gi

ChippingInLatteLover · 15/10/2014 13:48

You should get your thread moved to legal, a lot of the posters over there avoid AIBU.

Candycharm · 15/10/2014 13:49

I don't think you should pay either, you were just doing as the police woman instructed you to do. Then again you obviously don't want the fine to be £130 because you pay late. Sorry I'm not much help but just thought I'd say I'd be very annoyed about it too. Could you perhaps contact police about it?

Original poster
ResponsibleAdult · 15/10/2014 13:50

How do I move this to legal?

OP posts:
molesbreath · 15/10/2014 13:50

I'd be furious too - but hopefully it's a computer error as it would be unlikely the two departments would have spoken with each other and the fine will have been sent out automatically.

FishWithABicycle · 15/10/2014 13:50

Is it at all possible that you might have misunderstood the police officer's instructions and that you were actually being asked to use the bus lane only for the purpose of doing a 3-point-turn in order to join the traffic on the other side of the road? And not to go down the whole buslane to the next junction?

scurryfunge · 15/10/2014 13:50

Not sure I be got what happened correctly but did you the option of continuing straight ahead?

londonrach · 15/10/2014 13:50

Go to police station and find out if back up story. They must have records of incident.

InfinitySeven · 15/10/2014 13:51

I don't believe that the police have the authority to instruct people to use the bus lane.

Did she definitely not tell you to do a 3-point turn using the space in the bus lane, to turn around? That would be a standard instruction, and would avoid a fine.

Original poster
ResponsibleAdult · 15/10/2014 13:55

No option to go straight ahead as I had already turned off the main road. The policewoman indicated clearly to drive in the bus lane.

OP posts:
HKat · 15/10/2014 13:57

Call them and speak to them. I was sent a penalty notice for being 'parked' where I shouldn't - i was in the left hand lane at traffic lights, waiting to turn left (the lame to my right was straight ahead only). Very busy set of lights. I drove up behind the car in front, a huge 4x4 I couldn't see past and waited. And waited. I couldn't see the lights themselves cos of the car in front but twigged there was a problem - but couldn't move round the car into the other lane and couldn't reverse as people were constantly coming up behind me. When some kind soul eventually let me out I saw the car in front was actually empty and parked, entirely blocking the lane. I started putting this on writing but then called instead...The guy initially said no, I should have done something else but then accessed the CCTV while I was on phone, spoke to hiss her and they agreed to waive it. If you explain in person what happened, they might listen, and might even have CCTV of the incident. Worth a try? Good luck anyway!

InfinitySeven · 15/10/2014 13:59

Dug the guidelines out:

" There are a small number of reasons when it is OK to enter a bus lane during the time it is in operation. Among these are;

when directed to do so by a police officer in uniform;

to avoid a collision or debris in the road; or

owing to circumstances outside the control of the driver.

In all cases it is expected that the stay in the bus lane is as brief as possible. You may enter the bus lane to complete a manoeuvre or avoid debris, but must exit at the first available safe place. Continuing in the bus lane will commence a contravention."

Original poster
ResponsibleAdult · 15/10/2014 13:59

They do have CCTV records. I just phoned the council, they said I had to either pay £65 or wait until an Enforcement Notice arrives, when fees goes straight up to £130, then lodge another appeal. Angry

OP posts:
scurryfunge · 15/10/2014 14:00

Unless you turned right when you could see there was a road block then I don't think you unreasonable. The officer could have controlled the traffic to allow you to turn safely or go elsewhere without instructing you to commit an offence. If she has directed you to do that manoeuvre then it does seem unfair. Ask the police for the incident number. They will have collar numbers of attending officers (who then may deny they gave such a direction). It's worth appealing though.

Original poster
ResponsibleAdult · 15/10/2014 14:00

Oooooooh, infinity, you clever thing, where did you get that from?

OP posts:
InfinitySeven · 15/10/2014 14:02

What area of the country were you in? (Town is fine)

I have access to a big database, I'll see if the local one is there.

ithoughtofitfirst · 15/10/2014 14:02

They'll deny it. I'd pay before you get shafted.

diddl · 15/10/2014 14:04

Sounds to me as if you were supposed to use the bus lane to turn in.

You also put that you "presume" that traffic was being allowed into the road?

Any chance that you were wrong in this thought?

Original poster
ResponsibleAdult · 15/10/2014 14:04

The road wasn't blocked, there was a police transit parked up on the road on a double yellow, other cars were coming out of the road. I only had to wait for a gap in oncoming traffics in order to get past the police transit. No hazard triangle, no arms folded and stern look, no whistles and waving arms, no warning that the road was shut at all.

OP posts:
Original poster
ResponsibleAdult · 15/10/2014 14:05

I'm in Kingston-upon-Thames. Anyone local knows the traffic and one way system is busy, no way I could a three point turn on the main road.

OP posts:
whatsthatcomingoverthehill · 15/10/2014 14:10

If you don't get anywhere with the council or the police try the pepipoo forum.

Redglitter · 15/10/2014 14:15

Definitely contact the police. Obviously you know when it happened so they'll be able to identify who was there. Get in touch with them and explain.

There's no reason why the officer would deny it as someone suggested. It's not like she's going to get into trouble

diddl · 15/10/2014 14:16

Where was the bus lane in relation to you?

Did you turn into it rather than turning right?

The I guess you were expected to leave it asap & that may be what you didn't do.

Also, did you use it during it's times of operation?

Thumbwitch · 15/10/2014 14:26

Phone your local councillor and explain the situation to them as well - they can take up the cudgels on your behalf if they're halfway decent at their job