IKKI situation : part trois....French Laws

[lloyd]

It's always been illegal to sidewalk park,but we haven't seen it enforced in years.Wonder why it's so selective?
but the blue discs are imperative - we've seen tons of tickets the last few months- mainly for not having the clock in view( its often just easier to park away from the zone,which isn't really very big)

 

[KevinS]

The 2-wheels-on-the-curb parking is tolerated only on the stretch of Rue Samuel Fahlberg from just beyond the building with Les Boucaniers in it (essentially, across from Rue Gambetta), to somewhere down around Bagatelle and the Post Office, and only on the side across from the Anglican church. My recollection is that there is even a sign there that explicitly permits such parking. Anywhere else in town, that will get you a ticket.

 

[elgreaux]

it's just amazing the pure lack of foresight, every time they built more stores in Gustavia without parking, what did they think would happen. and yes, long-term parking in town and at the airport should be controlled. I agree that a new lot would quickly fill up and not alleviate the problem in the long run.. and the sad part is they can't control the number of rental cars (the recent increase on import duty on cars will not stop anyone in my humble opinion and most of the year there are lots of unused rental cars all over the island), and they keep giving out permits for houses and stores, which mean only more cars...it's like a Catch 22...

 

[KevinS]

...most of the year there are lots of unused rental cars all over the island...

Yes there are, and some of them are in Gustavia. Pure uses Rue de Roi Oscar II for storage of unused Minis. The next time you drive past their office (just past Le Vietnam) you'll probably see 2-3 of them parked there.

It's been awhile since I've seen it, but one rental agency used to stash several cars in the parking spaces along Quai du Bord de Mer on cruise ship days.

 

[JEK]

What I can't understand is how they all disappear on June 1st. Where do they all go?

 

[Eve]

We had to park up near the Colony Club for a 5 minute trip to the bank across from the post office.

 

[elgreaux]

They go to the lots all over the island that store them in the off season....

 

[TPunch42]

Shhhh... don't tell people about off season...it's nice with all those cars in storage...;P

 

[Eve]

How much was the ticket? May just be easier to pay. Haven't seen too many tow trucks around.

 

[KevinS]

How much was the ticket? May just be easier to pay. Haven't seen too many tow trucks around.

It's both money and the time required to pay the fine. First you go to the Treasury and pay the €17 fine. Then you take the paperwork from the Treasury to the Municipal Police (not the Gendarmerie).

 

[elgreaux]

if you have a local bank account you can also just mail them a check...

 

[Goooner]

What happens if you don't pay it? Do they just charge it to the rental car place?

 

[amyb]

It's not pretty, Dave.

They revoke your croissant privileges at all island boulangeries.

 

[stbartslover]

It's not pretty, Dave.

They revoke your croissant privileges at all island boulangeries.

Amy, that would be too severe.

 

[Eve]

Ill pay the ticket

 

[MIke R]

What happens if you don't pay it? Do they just charge it to the rental car place?

I know a person who hasn't paid multiple tickets over the span of a few years.....and nothing has happened....and he gets the car from the same place every year

the system is flawed...

 

[Islander]

I know a person who hasn't paid multiple tickets over the span of a few years.....and nothing has happened....and he gets the car from the same place every year

the system is flawed...

Beware, if the car rental company provides your details to the police (some do to avoid being charged).......the system keeps records of unpaid tickets for years and you could become black listed. No big deal until you go through a border control check or police road check, even years later. Some peope have been taken into custody when trying to enter French territory after unpaid traffic violation tickets.

Not worth it, if you ask me...

 

[MIke R]

Beware, if the car rental company provides your details to the police (some do to avoid being charged).......the system keeps records of unpaid tickets for years and you could become black listed. No big deal until you go through a border control check or police road check, even years later. Some peope have been taken into custody when trying to enter French territory after unpaid traffic violation tickets.

Not worth it, if you ask me...

going on four years now......

I guess we 'll see..they re going back in July

 

[debd]

It's not pretty, Dave.

They revoke your croissant privileges at all island boulangeries.

hahahahaha. That would be awful.

 

[debd]

Suzanne, that is pretty awful. Good to know.

I did catch a glimpse of a sign showing a picture of "wheels on curb"s in the area we are discussing. What I did not catch is if it was saying it was legal or illegal Too much of a rush to get to 1st day on the beach. Will try to look closer tomorrow.