Parking Ticket Appeals - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

FlameOn · 10-02-2012, 04:54 PM

Hoping someone can help me out here.
I was downtown picking a friend up after work. It was rush hour after work and I stopped in at the side of the road twice in the same spot for maybe a couple of minutes tops across from my friends building while she took the elevator down from her office and cross the street to where I was. She wasn't ready the first time I stopped so I even moved my car and did a loop around so I wouldn't be taking up the parking spot. Both times I didn't leave the car, didn't even turn my engine off and I got ticketed by one of the camera cars.

I don't even think I turned off my signal light when I was pulled over.

If I had any intention of leaving my car and I would have paid for parking. As it stands I was in that parking spot less than a minute or so each time I was stopped. So question is, is there any way I can possibly get out of this ticket? Has anyone had any luck with the appeals process or am I SOL? Thanks.

DownInFlames · 10-02-2012, 06:14 PM

You're probably SOL. There's no way for them to know if you were parked for thirty seconds or ten minutes.

malcolmk14 · 10-02-2012, 06:18 PM

Same thing happened to me on 4th avenue outside Jameson Place and I was SOL. Parked for maybe 90 seconds while I waited for my girlfriend to come out of work.

zamler · 10-02-2012, 06:19 PM

So how are you supposed to pick people up without getting a ticket?

normtwofinger · 10-02-2012, 06:22 PM

Cover up your plate if you are just waiting 2-5 minutes? That's the only thing I could think of.

BlackArcher101 · 10-02-2012, 06:25 PM

Probably better off circling until they are downstairs, then double parking while they get into the car.

FlameOn · 10-02-2012, 06:36 PM

Thanks for the replies... So I guess basically there's no way to pick someone up from downtown without sitting in a parking lot somewhere or circling.

I think they take profile and plate pictures of your car now for the ticket. If I'm clearly in the car for the profile picture will that help in the slightest? I put that on my appeal submission and hopefully this thing gets waived.

MelBridgeman · 10-02-2012, 07:10 PM

were you parked in a lane that is off limits between 3:30 and 6:00 pm?

FlamesKickAss · 10-02-2012, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

were you parked in a lane that is off limits between 3:30 and 6:00 pm?

That wouldn't matter, it only takes a picture of a park plus zones if you've parked longer than paid for. Those no stopping zones are usually patrolled by actual meter maids a city wide towing.

I have the same ticket right now as the OP, it was a loading zone and then they did some roadwork and took the sign away, I emailed the city to clarify ad was advised it was still a loading zone, then I am there picking up my wife and get a ticket. Did a appeal and was told by parking authority to not pay the ticket and fight it in court

FlameOn · 10-02-2012, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

were you parked in a lane that is off limits between 3:30 and 6:00 pm?

No, it was one of those payment required till 6:00pm signs. There were a bunch of other cars parked ahead of me.

MelBridgeman · 10-02-2012, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlamesKickAss

That wouldn't matter, it only takes a picture of a park plus zones if you've parked longer than paid for. Those no stopping zones are usually patrolled by actual meter maids a city wide towing.

I have the same ticket right now as the OP, it was a loading zone and then they did some roadwork and took the sign away, I emailed the city to clarify ad was advised it was still a loading zone, then I am there picking up my wife and get a ticket. Did a appeal and was told by parking authority to not pay the ticket and fight it in court

It does matter to me - because he was - I kill him
if he wasn't , I let him live

my biggest pet peeve!!!!

I would take it down to the court house and plead your case - they might reduce it at the very least.

I do that all the time when i have to leave my car on the street after a raging bender and can't drive the car - and don't get up earlier enough to get it.

MelBridgeman · 10-02-2012, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlameOn

No, it was one of those payment required till 6:00pm signs. There were a bunch of other cars parked ahead of me.

Then you live

FlamesKickAss · 10-02-2012, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

It does matter to me - because he was - I kill him
if he wasn't , I let him live

my biggest pet peeve!!!!

I would take it down to the court house and plead your case - they might reduce it at the very least.

I do that all the time when i have to leave my car on the street after a raging bender and can't drive the car - and don't get up earlier enough to get it.

Oh I agree, I hate those ####ing morons that don't know how to read no stopping!!! I'm looking at you cabbies

mykalberta · 10-03-2012, 10:54 AM

If it was on 5th Ave in the left lane between 330 and 6pm I have 0 sympathy. If it was anywhere else then I have some sympathy.

Burninator · 10-03-2012, 12:37 PM

Same thing happened to me. Got a ticket, fought it and lost. Basically you have to arrive while they are standing on the sidewalk. If the photo shows some being actively loaded or unloaded then you are ok.

Hockeyguy15 · 10-03-2012, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burninator

Same thing happened to me. Got a ticket, fought it and lost. Basically you have to arrive while they are standing on the sidewalk. If the photo shows some being actively loaded or unloaded then you are ok.

I emailed to have my ticket reviewed (on 2 different occasions) and both times my passenger was still inside building in their office, the only person in the picture was me in the driver seat waiting.

Both tickets were cancelled.

Russic · 10-03-2012, 12:54 PM

I received a ticket once for not paying when the machine wasn't functioning. It was a freezing cold night, we were late already and in a lot that never seemed to get checked. I tried to fight it but they said had I called and reported the malfunctioning machine they could have made a note. They knocked $15 off the ticket and I felt that was fair as in hindsight not reporting the machine was a stupid on my part. Sorry, not helpful to your situation, but posting so nobody replicates my idiocy.

core_upt · 10-03-2012, 01:29 PM

Got a ticket for the exact same thing, Since then, I'll pop my trunk so my plate isn't visible, or stand outside the car in front of the plate so I can't be photographed.
Such a PIA, but that's the way it goes.

FlameOn · 10-09-2012, 11:00 AM

Well so much for the appeal. Apparently if you stop, are waiting for someone across the street and they don't show up in the photo, you are guilty. Payment is apparently required immediately. Remember to pop your trunk guys! That's an expensive 30 seconds. Don't have time to take off work to try to appeal this either.

Quote:

CPA Investigation:
Section 9(15) of the City of Calgary Traffic Bylaw (CTB) requires that payment be made immediately
after parking in a ParkPlus zone. The definition of parked is the same if the vehicle is occupied or
not.
CPA is unable to authorize withdrawal of the Parking Infraction Notice. Photo Enforcement
personnel have reviewed the photo and could not verify that a passenger was being actively loaded
or unloaded OR that the vehicle was being moved. The review found no record of a payment for
this license plate.
The fine amount due will remain at the level that was in effect at the time the review was filed for
seven (7) days from today.