Posted on: 02-09-10 15:30:45
Folks ,
I seem to have received the parking ticket jackpot ..... $450/- for parking in a Disabled Loading / Unloading Area !!
Was in Down Town ..College / Spadina ... one of my glasses from my eyeglasses came off .... and I thought it safest to park and get them done ... I found a parking spot , parked and put a parking receipt on the dashboard as well ....
When I returned , I found the parking ticket for $450/- .... There was no sign on the road as they have in malls / parking lot and the Parking sign overhead said 'Disabled Loading / Unloading ' ........ there were other cars also parked in front and behind and it appeared that this was the only ' disabled loading / unloading ' spot ..
Now what do I do after applying for an appeal .??? ... I was not aware that it was a Disabled Loading / Unloading area and for two , I was myself disabled temporarily at that time 
...
Learnt that the fine for the this increased from $150 to $450 in 2008 only ...
Appreciate suggestions & advice as always ...
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Fido.
Nero was 'Fido'ling when rome was burning...sorry, could not resist saying that.
Sorry to note that you got ticketed by the 'mother of all fines'...disabled parking.
Fight it in the court. You have nothing to lose, anyway.
You have two options:
A) Most likely, the traffic guy does not show up. In which case, you win and the ticket gets squashed.
B) Even if the traffic guy shows up, explain to the prosecutor that your glasses fell off and could not seen the sign. You might be charged with a lesser offence.
Good luck.
seenappa
Double post
Goto court and if you see the police man then accept guilt, fine most probably will do half of it.
Remember : do not apply for 1st attendence
ask for court date.
Quote:Go back to that same spot immediately and take pictures with date/time stamp on the pictures.
Originally posted by Fido
When I returned , I found the parking ticket for $450/- .... There was no sign on the road as they have in malls / parking lot and the Parking sign overhead said 'Disabled Loading / Unloading ' ........ there were other cars also parked in front and behind and it appeared that this was the only ' disabled loading / unloading ' spot ..
Then, ask for a court date for trial.
As others have suggested, you may try to change the trial date, etc. and hope the ticket is dismissed, but I think you have pretty good defense.
The fact that you were without glasses/contacts will not be a good defence since ignorance is not defense.
But the lack of proper signs sounds good and you should take pictures of it and go to court.
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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."
-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"
I have full sympathy with you cause you may loose your hard earned money but I dont approve when a large number of fit people park their cars in disabled parking slots. I dont think that your did not see the sign, if you can drive without glasses you can see the sign also. It is too big to be not seen. Everyday I see around. Cant people leave those places for disabled people. Those are just 4-5 slots and 100's remain vacant around. I am every day contemplating of making a written complaint regarding it. $450 fine and still people dont understand and park in disabled area. In fact I would suggest that offending vehicle should be impounded for 30 days and fine of $2000/- and 12 demerit points. Consider that when a fit person find it difficult to walk , how difficult it would be for a disabled to walk from far off parking.
Quote:
Originally posted by over2canada
I have full sympathy with you cause you may loose your hard earned money but I dont approve when a large number of fit people park their cars in disabled parking slots. I dont think that your did not see the sign, if you can drive without glasses you can see the sign also. It is too big to be not seen. Everyday I see around. Cant people leave those places for disabled people.
I don't know whether you drive a car in Canada or not but average Canadian getting 8-10 tickets in his life in Canada. Canadian drive more than walk. So it's obvious to happen such mistakes. When you drive a lot u will realize it.
Quote:
In fact I would suggest that offending vehicle should be impounded for 30 days and fine of $2000/- and 12 demerit points. Consider that when a fit person find it difficult to walk , how difficult it would be for a disabled to walk from far off parking.
Mr. Mcguinty would love your idea as he needs a lot of money nowadays. I think he will consider you for the post of Minister of transportation
