Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant

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Sat 26 Oct 2013 18:32
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - synoniv

Hi

I tried to search the forum to find similar case - but couldn't.

I got a Parking ticket while driving a rented car in the States in Aug-2013.

The offence was for parking next to a fire hydrant (the passenger side door) though it was proper on-street parking.

I do not think this is in UK highway code unless I am mistaken?.

As an appeal I wrote to them requesting cancellation stating Im a driver from UK and I am not used to this rule in my day to day driving in the UK, also with the following documents to prove my case.

a) my personal docs - i.e UK Passport + council tax certificatate (residency) + UK driving license

b) return airtickets

c) Rental agreement from Avis

I got a letter today stating they refuse the cancellation request and I am required to pay $87 due in 30 days. I do have an appeal option by appearing in person but that obviosly is not practical.

Obviously I am a bit annoyed by this. I never had a parking ticket even in the UK since the last 9 years.

So just thought I would find out if such a case has been reported before.

all/any advise -most heartly welcome!

Edited by synoniv on 26/10/2013 at 18:42

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Sat 26 Oct 2013 18:42
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - skidpan

I got a Parking ticket while driving a rented car in the States in Aug-2013.

The offence was for parking next to a fire hydrant (the passenger side door) though it was proper on-street parking.

I do not think this is in UK highway code unless I am mistake?.

What has the UK Highway code got to do with this offence. The offence took place in the States and if it is their laws that apply.

You have broken their laws thus you should pay the fine. Ignorance is never any defence.

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Sat 26 Oct 2013 18:49
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - synoniv

What has the UK Highway code got to do with this offence. The offence took place in the States and if it is their laws that apply.

You have broken their laws thus you should pay the fine. Ignorance is never any defence.

Excellent advise and classic definition for a blind eye !

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Sat 26 Oct 2013 20:30
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - Soichiro
Ok try it this way. If you were done for speeding in the US,
would you expect to be let off because you didn't know the
limit? I know you can't park in front of a hydrant over there,
because I did a tiny bit of reading up on their driving laws before
I went.

Edited by Soichiro on 26/10/2013 at 20:31

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Sat 26 Oct 2013 22:11
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - synoniv

Ok try it this way. If you were done for speeding in the US,
would you expect to be let off because you didn't know the
limit?

I really wish people showed some compassion to question and context while answering?.

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Sat 26 Oct 2013 22:37
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - pcvpilotmick

You asked a question, and 2 people answered you! I dont think compassion is really an issue here, you broke the law and were caught fair and square. You asked for leniency and were refused, so pay the fine and move on!

I think you got away pretty lightly, what if an emergency situation had arose and the fire dept needed to use the hydrant that you were blocking? It would have been much more inconvenient and expensive for you if your car had been towed away, or damaged if the firetruck pushed it out of the way.

Put it down to experience!

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Sat 26 Oct 2013 23:35
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - galileo

Parking by a hydrant in the USA is a ticketable offence has been shown in many films, TV series, even cartoons, and is mentioned in many American detective/police stories.

It is surprising that you have never seen or read this before.

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Sun 27 Oct 2013 08:05
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - skidpan

What has the UK Highway code got to do with this offence. The offence took place in the States and if it is their laws that apply.

You have broken their laws thus you should pay the fine. Ignorance is never any defence.

Excellent advise and classic definition for a blind eye !

Thanks for considering my answer to be excellent advice, but I simply do not understand the last 6 words, in English please.

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Sun 27 Oct 2013 08:57
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - synoniv

I simply do not understand the last 6 words, in English please.

Skidpan - people post their experiences/questions here to find out what others(i.e including you) to know/perceive about situations like this. Posters do not want that 2 bit blunt answers like "obey the law", "pay up" blah blah....Thank you. I hope that is an understandable language to you?.

Also it might be useful for you to know that there is country called "United states of America" and it has 51 states, and each states has it own decriminalised "state laws" for driving.

There is a process called "appeal" for such offences and authorities will consider situation/context of the driver, including cross-state. This is what you called empathy or compassion. Welcome to the real world?

Parking by a hydrant in the USA is a ticketable offence has been shown in many films, TV series, even cartoons, and is mentioned in many American detective/police stories.

It is surprising that you have never seen or read this before.

No Sorry, I am driver with hearing impairment so I do not watch movies - so I hope that answers (and probably makes you more happy?)

I am sorry to say that replies/responses like makes this this forum look grossly immature?

Edited by synoniv on 27/10/2013 at 09:07

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Sun 27 Oct 2013 09:36
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - skidpan

No Sorry, I am driver with hearing impairment so I do not watch movies - so I hope that answers (and probably makes you more happy?)

I am sorry to say that replies/responses like makes this this forum look grossly immature?

Perhaps you should try telling the court you are hearing impaired thus are not aware of the law, would love to hear the judges/Magistrates verdict.

If you are not prepared to accept the good advice given don't ask in future.

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Sun 27 Oct 2013 10:41
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - Ordovices

You say you're a UK driver, but you have been to the States before, why was it such a surprise?

(Being hearing impaired doesn't stop you watching movies, that would be visual impairment.)

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Sun 27 Oct 2013 11:23
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - martint123

Every time I've had a hire car in the US there has been a State Driving Handbook in the paperwork or glovebox.

Rule vary even between states, so it is down to the driver to know the rules applying at the time (things like ability to filter right at a red light etc). Fire hydrant parking is a uninversal offence AFAIR.

What would have happened if you overtook a stopped school bus - probably lynched by the local parents.

Again, it is up to the driver to obey the law that applies.

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Sun 27 Oct 2013 11:37
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - FP

I should like to comment on this whole thread.

The advice given to the OP is really the only advice possible - the appeal route has been effectively exhausted and the fine will have to be paid (or ignored, though with possible repercussions if the OP returns to the USA).

If the OP hoped for some balm for his frustration that was probably a bit naive.

"I am sorry to say that replies/responses like makes this this forum look grossly immature?"

Not immature, I think, but inconsiderate and blunt to the point of rudeness - to a new member (it seems).

I've said it before, but some people who post here are unnecessarily abrasive.

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Sun 27 Oct 2013 14:00
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - skidpan

I've said it before, but some people who post here are unnecessarily abrasive.

In my original reply I said

"What has the UK Highway code got to do with this offence. The offence took place in the States and if it is their laws that apply.

You have broken their laws thus you should pay the fine. Ignorance is never any defence"

Please tell me what is unresonable in that.

If the OP decides to become upset by being told the simple truth that is their problem and not mine.

For feks sake, what do you want me to say, do you think I should lie to the OP to make him feel better.

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Sun 27 Oct 2013 14:22
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - FP

I wasn't specifically referring to you, Skidpan, but it's really interesting that you thought I was.

"If the OP decides to become upset by being told the simple truth that is their problem and not mine."

Quite. But clearly what some posters think is "the simple truth" comes across as abrasive to others.

"For feks sake, what do you want me to say, do you think I should lie to the OP to make him feel better."

I'm afraid that says more about you than you possibly realise. Why does it apparently take so little to make you cross?

Edited by FP on 27/10/2013 at 14:23

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Sun 27 Oct 2013 18:10
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - skidpan

I'm afraid that says more about you than you possibly realise. Why does it apparently take so little to make you cross?

Don't you just hate amateur psycolgists.

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Mon 28 Oct 2013 15:13
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - Andrew-T

Why does it apparently take so little to make you cross?

Don't you just hate amateur psycolgists.

... or professional dyslexists? :-)

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Wed 30 Oct 2013 15:05
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - concrete

Why does it apparently take so little to make you cross?

Don't you just hate amateur psycolgists.

... or professional dyslexists? :-)

Funniest thing I have read in ages. A real belly laugh. Thank you. Concrete.

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Wed 30 Oct 2013 15:16
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - skidpan

Why does it apparently take so little to make you cross?

Don't you just hate amateur psycolgists.

... or professional dyslexists? :-)

Funniest thing I have read in ages. A real belly laugh. Thank you. Concrete.

Have you never made a simple keyboard error. I will check every post you submit in the future and point out every single typo if you wish.

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Sun 27 Oct 2013 17:27
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - Andrew-T

The advice given to the OP is really the only advice possible - the appeal route has been effectively exhausted and the fine will have to be paid (or ignored, though with possible repercussions if the OP returns to the USA).

As posters here are commonly advised to ignore fines earned while driving in the EU, I don't see why the same should not apply to the US. Maybe the US' reputation is harsher, but I doubt that they will send a hit squad or attempt to extradite for a measly $87 or whatever. However their authorities do have very long memories, so if the OP intends going there again he may find it advisable to pay up, even though he feels cheated.

The other transatlantic habit is to regularly clear their fire hydrants by blasting them full throttle into the street. Don't want to be parked there when that happens.

Edited by Andrew-T on 27/10/2013 at 17:28

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Mon 28 Oct 2013 13:54
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - Dabooka

Well you don't even know how many states there are so I wouldn't trust your understanding of anything in the states to be honest.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._state

And yes there's an appeals process, you lost it. Your defence is totally unfalsifiable anyway. Pay up, or if you never intend to go back, ignore it.

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Mon 28 Oct 2013 16:24
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - Armitage Shanks {p}

You are lucky the car rental company didn't pay it on your behalf and charge it to your credit card whose details they held.

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Mon 28 Oct 2013 16:56
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - martint123

You are lucky the car rental company didn't pay it on your behalf and charge it to your credit card whose details they held.

Still possible if not paid.

If returning tinyurl.com/ustickets (US customs and border patrol)


U.S. Customs and Border Protection strongly advise you to pay your traffic tickets, particularly moving violations. While unpaid tickets would not subject you to arrest unless a warrant is issued, you may be subject to a more intensive inspection if your record is not clear.

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Tue 29 Oct 2013 21:35
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - Avant

Synoniv - advice on here does tend to be straight and honest, although as moderator I regularly suggest that the point is made more effectively if made politely as well as firmly.

In your case I agree with the majority view. If I'd parked next to a fire hydrant by mistake, I'd feel guilty rather than aggrieved, and I'd be thankful that there hadn't been a fire and that I hadn't hindered the firefighters in their work.

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Thu 31 Oct 2013 09:32
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - synoniv

Thanks for the all the advices.

Moderator - I must say there appears to be bunch of people in here that needs serious counselling on forum etiquettes :) Any takers?

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Thu 31 Oct 2013 11:03
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - Dabooka

Thanks for the all the advices.

Moderator - I must say there appears to be bunch of people in here that needs serious counselling on forum etiquettes :) Any takers?

I vote for you.

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Thu 31 Oct 2013 12:47
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - alan1302

Thanks for the all the advices.

Moderator - I must say there appears to be bunch of people in here that needs serious counselling on forum etiquettes :) Any takers?

You might want to look at yourself first before getting on at anyone else.

You got a blunt answer which is clear and consise - what more do you need?

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Sat 2 Nov 2013 12:28
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - Avant

Synoniv - as moderator I do sometimes have to censor insulting posts on the forum. But there is nothing personally insulting above, just honest, if blunt, advice.

I agree that people should not be unnecessariy abrasive, but you still haven't explained why you parked next to a fire hydrant in the first place, thereby potentially endangering lives. In this context. 'etiquette' seems of lesser importance.

Edited by Avant on 02/11/2013 at 12:29

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Tue 5 Nov 2013 22:19
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - Cyd

This strikes me as an open and shut case.

You visited a foreign country, where you broke the local laws. You were caught and issued a fine.

If you harbour any desire to ever return to the US, you should pay the fine in good time.

Ignorance is no defence, either in the US or UK alike.

The lesson here is to bone up on such laws prior to future trips.

Whether you like it or not, this is the way the cookie crumbles.

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Thu 7 Nov 2013 13:53
Parking ticket while in States - Fire hydrant - veryoldbear

I have had the odd parking ticket when driving in Foreign Parts. If you are in a rental car it is almost always cheaper and simpler to swallow your pride and pay up promptly. Otherwise the powers-that-be just extract it from the rental company who then extract it from your credit card retrospectively PLUS a dirty great administration fee.

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