ME Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 OK, so I have been flying all night back from the US and the traffic is horrible on the way back from Gatwick to Essex. We reach the auto tolls in the rain at the Dartford Tunnel and the guy in front is pulling his car apart looking for a pound coin. I decided that rather than sit there it would be easier just to give the guy a quid and get things moving again. I get out of my car, tap on the guys window and throw a pound coin in the machine for him. I get back in the car and he is STILL rooting around for money, he finds a pound coin, waves it at me and throws that in the machine too. Anyway, he drives off and I follow him (thinking there is two pounds gone in the machine) just as I am nearly through, the barrier came down hitting the top of the windscreen on the missus car. (the car isnt damaged) The barriers are foam covered and sprung to come off if hit. It springs off and flys across the road. I decide in my jet-lagged state that it would cause road chaos and could be dangerous (as it is raining) if I stopped so we carried on home. Anyone think I should write to the Dartford Tunnel Authority and apologise / explain or just wait and see if they got me on camera ? EDIT: note in diary - being helpful can be more trouble than it is worth ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 OK, so I have been flying all night back from the US and the traffic is horrible on the way back from Gatwick to Essex. We reach the auto tolls in the rain at the Dartford Tunnel and the guy in front is pulling his car apart looking for a pound coin. I decided that rather than sit there it would be easier just to give the guy a quid and get things moving again. I get out of my car, tap on the guys window and throw a pound coin in the machine for him. I get back in the car and he is STILL rooting around for money, he finds a pound coin, waves it at me and throws that in the machine too. Anyway, he drives off and I follow him (thinking there is two pounds gone in the machine) just as I am nearly through, the barrier came down hitting the top of the windscreen on the missus car. (the car isnt damaged) The barriers are foam covered and sprung to come off if hit. It springs off and flys across the road. I decide in my jet-lagged state that it would cause road chaos if I stopped so we carried on home. Anyone think I should write to the Dartford Tunnel Authority and apologise / explain or just wait and see if they got me on camera ? Your in the mire LV. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ME Posted December 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 OK, so I have been flying all night back from the US and the traffic is horrible on the way back from Gatwick to Essex. We reach the auto tolls in the rain at the Dartford Tunnel and the guy in front is pulling his car apart looking for a pound coin. I decided that rather than sit there it would be easier just to give the guy a quid and get things moving again. I get out of my car, tap on the guys window and throw a pound coin in the machine for him. I get back in the car and he is STILL rooting around for money, he finds a pound coin, waves it at me and throws that in the machine too. Anyway, he drives off and I follow him (thinking there is two pounds gone in the machine) just as I am nearly through, the barrier came down hitting the top of the windscreen on the missus car. (the car isnt damaged) The barriers are foam covered and sprung to come off if hit. It springs off and flys across the road. I decide in my jet-lagged state that it would cause road chaos if I stopped so we carried on home. Anyone think I should write to the Dartford Tunnel Authority and apologise / explain or just wait and see if they got me on camera ? Your in the mire LV. LB DOH ! Can you elaborate ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 LV I think that they will probably be writing to you! webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadeye ive Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 Just think of the 1000+ cars that followed through with no barrier to stop them so no payment as well merry christmas LV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 Blame the car in front. Say he told you he would pay for you and any problems he would take the blame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 Criminal damage for a start LV. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 Criminal damage for a start LV. LB Don't be gay. Darford Tunnel should be pleased to know that my client will not be pressing a money claim for the damage caused to his wife's vehicle resultant from the incorrect and faulty operation of their automated barrier equipment. The requisite toll was paid and the barrier failed to respond in the correct fashion. This is not the fault of my client. I thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 Criminal damage for a start LV. LB Don't be gay. Darford Tunnel should be pleased to know that my client will not be pressing a money claim for the damage caused to his wife's vehicle resultant from the incorrect and faulty operation of their automated barrier equipment. The requisite toll was paid and the barrier failed to respond in the correct fashion. This is not the fault of my client. I thank you. ***** it's a clear case hit and run my learned friend. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 Criminal damage for a start LV. LB Don't be gay. Darford Tunnel should be pleased to know that my client will not be pressing a money claim for the damage caused to his wife's vehicle resultant from the incorrect and faulty operation of their automated barrier equipment. The requisite toll was paid and the barrier failed to respond in the correct fashion. This is not the fault of my client. I thank you. Boll ox my learned friend. Your client has just done a hit and run and as he is a white, rather than blue collor worker, the court will have no option other than to come down on him hard. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loopy bunny blaster Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 just say "it wasn't me" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 just say the wife was driving, her car her problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 They will have cameras. However, the toll was paid.... I didn't notice anything squire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ME Posted December 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 just say "it wasn't me" hmm.... In the words of the 1980's pop group Bucks Fizz - "My Camera Never Lies" !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myuserid Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 The barriers sprung off or the foam? If the barriers flung off then that’s their fault, just say its a stupid design, I paid anyway so what your problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ME Posted December 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 just say the wife was driving, her car her problem said like a true gent ! ........ ........if she got banged up for it would it be wrong to get a young, well stacked Swedish Au-pair to look after "the kids" ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagsy Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 All the way back from the states without a problem and they try and pimp your ride as you leave Kent for the holy land. Never mind, makes good reading for the rest of us Amongst other things there was no 'intent' so no criminal damage and your case should be easy to prove. They probably have CCTV along with ANPR but if it's anything like most of the kit in London it's probably not working properly anyway! Welcome back, get through customs ok? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ME Posted December 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 The barriers sprung off or the foam?If the barriers flung off then that’s their fault, just say its a stupid design, I paid anyway so what your problem? the barrier is covered in foam, the whole thing sprung off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbivvy Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 They probably have CCTV along with ANPR but if it's anything like most of the kit in London it's probably not working properly anyway! if its collecting for mr brown it will be working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ME Posted December 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 OK. So under advice from my brief, I have telephoned North Kent "nick" and reported the incident. they say that there has been no reports of "drive offs" at the crossing today. We'll see what happens next ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 If it does come to anything just remind them that it was meant to be free once the tunnel and bridge were paid for. The greedy ******** must have that about 100 times over what it cost for the irish to dig a tunnel. A little tip for you all, when you go through the auto tolls chuck your pound in and then sweep the rejected coins tray with your hand. You will nearly always grab some coins out of there. I reckon in the ammount of times I use it I am in profit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbivvy Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 A little tip for you all, when you go through the auto tolls chuck your pound in and then sweep the rejected coins tray with your hand. You will nearly always grab some coins out of there. I reckon in the ammount of times I use it I am in profit top man MC. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 I have a friend with a kayak he has no more use for..........if you are interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ME Posted December 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 I have a friend with a kayak he has no more use for..........if you are interested. Cheers Cranners, I'll bear that in mind. With my recent driving record I am thinking about getting a push bike ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted December 7, 2007 Report Share Posted December 7, 2007 Uh oh you done it again LV... good job you can afford a chauffeur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.