The company I work for, Aberdeen based ARR CRAIB TRANSPORT, shifts an awful lot of freight between the Aberdeen area and Great Yarmouth area due to both locations being major hubs for the UK Oil & Gas sector. A while back a joint letter from both forces was put on the notice board warning Lorry drivers that if we were caught parking overnight in laybys etc we would be issued with fixed penalty notices and reported to the Transport Commissioners for additional punishment. Seemingly they are standing behind some ancient law about having to have parking lights lit up on our vehicles.
It just so happens that both these forces were severely criticised for failing to investigate or show any interest with regards to fuel thefts from trucks when the drivers were taking their daily rest AS REQUIRED BY LAW. So rather than go and catch the thieves which is their job ie to investigate crime, catch criminals and ensure the courts deal with these criminals. But alas no, it would appear both these Police Forces idea of solving Truck Crime is to harass the victims, to move on or charge the LGV Drivers who are only decent working men doing a job and keeping the country’s supply chain going. The policy seems to be rid the county of the scum parked up in their trucks and the truck crime will go away. Downright incompetence and harassment whatever way you look at it.
Can you imagine the public outcry if say… a house was burgled and the Police told the householder, well actually we are going to charge you for having your house in this location or if a murder was commited to take the view that the victim had no right to be in that area so it was their own fault.There would be some outcry , quite rightly at such an attitude.
However the above attitude is basically what is being thrown at LGV drivers by the Norfolk and Suffolk forces. Why is it the road haulage industry is such a sitting duck for this kind of harassment? In the 21st century it is nothing short of a national disgrace.Whoever dreamed up this disgusting discriminatory policy should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves and next time they are filling their shopping trolley remember how their shopping got there.
Manufaturers should put a low voltage side light facility on the indicator lever so you can park safely without flattening the batteries.
On the original subject - they are getting a bit money crazy so yes they will raise it in the easiest way - you!
Plenty of laybys set back and separated from the carriageway on the A17 and A47, you’re ok in them overnight without lights.
It hasnt stopped drivers parking up for the night unlit on the A14, including some of our drivers and I’ve not heard of any being done lately, and thats after a campaign by Suff/Cams police!
It’s not as if its a law that has just crawled out the would work either, assy coppers have been boosting figures for years by issuing tickets for unlit vehicles.
I parked up on an Industrial Estate just in the Shadow of British Sugar at Bury st Edmonds, three weeks ago - no ticket on either me or another one of ours - or ndeed the other dozen… and the police came past at about 01.30 as my cam caught them.
The point I am trying to highlight is the fact that this is the tactic they are using in response to the fact they are doing nothing about crime being committed against drivers, vehicles and hauliers. Harassing drivers instead of catching criminals, the notice my employer posted was directly from these Police Forces.
The areas too rural, costs too much to regularly patrol.
Easier to issue tickets to registered owners & ‘Legally Steal’ their hard earned profits, than to catch ‘Scum Bags’ slashing your curtains or nicking your diesel.
Police forces all over this [country] are a waste of space, not interested in doing the job that they are employed for. They just take the easy route & Police by Administration. 
I clocked a couple of Scum Bags nicking a radio from my neighbours car a few years ago, (2am) nearly caught one, but the Rat was too quick, rang the Fuzz & they turned up about 40 minutes later. If they’d got there within 5 minutes, maybe the ‘Flotsam’ would have still have been in the area & got caught ! (but that would have meant physically dealing with Scallies & not just sending an invoice out to some one on the electoral roll) 
martinviking:
Easier to issue tickets to registered owners & ‘Legally Steal’ their hard earned profits, than to catch ‘Scum Bags’ slashing your curtains or nicking your diesel.Police forces all over this [zb]are a waste of space, not interested in doing the job that they are employed for. They just take the easy route & Police by Administration.
I clocked a couple of Scum Bags nicking a radio from my neighbours car a few years ago, (2am) nearly caught one, but the Rat was too quick, rang the Fuzz & they turned up about 40 minutes later. If they’d got there within 5 minutes, maybe the ‘Flotsam’ would have still have been in the area & got caught ! (but that would have meant physically dealing with Scallies & not just sending an invoice out to some one on the electoral roll)
that’s due to lack of bobbies due to lack of funds due to too many people overstaying or working on the naughty not paying taxes and the total ■■■■ up of the Gov who like to pay themselves over the top in wages…
I’m in no doubt there are people out there that could do a better job running the country for a decent wage and if we stopped sending stupid amounts of money to countries that spend it on weapons rather than aid and ploughed it back into this country we could cut the working mans week still pay a full 40hr wage get unemployment down create jobs for the young and eliminate unemployed coming here from other EU countries and taking jobs …
This would then create more money in taxes creating new jobs and production
lightning:
I parked up on an Industrial Estate just in the Shadow of British Sugar at Bury st Edmonds, three weeks ago - no ticket on either me or another one of ours - or ndeed the other dozen… and the police came past at about 01.30 as my cam caught them.
if you were under street lighting and a speed limit of 30 then no lights required 
wildfire:
lightning:
I parked up on an Industrial Estate just in the Shadow of British Sugar at Bury st Edmonds, three weeks ago - no ticket on either me or another one of ours - or ndeed the other dozen… and the police came past at about 01.30 as my cam caught them.if you were under street lighting and a speed limit of 30 then no lights required
as long as your facing the correct way
wildfire:
lightning:
I parked up on an Industrial Estate just in the Shadow of British Sugar at Bury st Edmonds, three weeks ago - no ticket on either me or another one of ours - or ndeed the other dozen… and the police came past at about 01.30 as my cam caught them.if you were under street lighting and a speed limit of 30 then no lights required
Incorrect,
From the highway code.
Cars, goods vehicles not exceeding 1525 kg unladen weight, invalid carriages, motorcycles and pedal cycles may be parked without lights on a road (or lay-by) with a speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h) or less if they are
at least 10 metres (32 feet) away from any junction, close to the kerb and facing in the direction of the traffic flow
in a recognised parking place or lay-by.
Other vehicles and trailers, and all vehicles with projecting loads, MUST NOT be left on a road at night without lights.
Laws RVLR reg 24 & CUR reg 82(7)
fredthered:
Manufaturers should put a low voltage side light facility on the indicator lever so you can park safely without flattening the batteries.On the original subject - they are getting a bit money crazy so yes they will raise it in the easiest way - you!
Funny you should say that, I remember years ago someone I knew had a then brand new Scania 111 and when the ignition was off the indicator stalk then acted as a parking light for whatever side of the vehicle the switch was positioned for. A simple practical solution.
rivits:
fredthered:
Manufaturers should put a low voltage side light facility on the indicator lever so you can park safely without flattening the batteries.On the original subject - they are getting a bit money crazy so yes they will raise it in the easiest way - you!
Funny you should say that, I remember years ago someone I knew had a then brand new Scania 111 and when the ignition was off the indicator stalk then acted as a parking light for whatever side of the vehicle the switch was positioned for. A simple practical solution.
Exactly the thing I meant. But if its a cost optional extra not a chance with some operators!
Make it compulsory and there will be no argument and no excuses for not complying 
I saw a DAF in a lay by lit up on the offside only. May be retrofitted but it definitely only lit one side up
i try not to park where theres nothing between me and the road but if i have had too i have used led bicycle lamps at rear and front
I sympathise with any driver for getting a ticket whilst trying to do his job, its especially hard when a traffic warden can actually see you unloading, and still gives a ticket, but its even worse when a driver has been told to park up or else ( its a legal requirement ) and is then given a ticket. Ok there are restrictions attached as to where and when, a lay bye must be clearly marked that it is a certain distance from the main carriageway ( no lights required ) but other P ( places must have lamps showing. IT cannot be too difficult to put a separate switch in a cab, and wireing up to existing systems, and shouldnt be too expensive. A lot of cars, mine included have this facility, whereby you can have the O/S or the N/S lights on at any given time, and can be stipulated when buying another truck, or can be done by own mechanics. Its not everyone who can be an auto electrician, as some would burn the truck to bits, if not done correctly, and as electrics are only a basic pastime for most of us, maybe someone can explain how it could be done, for i am sure that its not impossible given the fact that all trucks have a separate fuse for N/S, and O/S, and most would follow a colour coded wire within the loom.
simples. leave side lights on and remove the fuse for the n/s lights
I really can’t see all side lights draining the battery any less than 1 side would. they are only 5w bulbs, if not less in the case of LEDs
scotstrucker:
i try not to park where theres nothing between me and the road but if i have had too i have used led bicycle lamps at rear and front
I used to do this when caught out and HAD to park in a place I’d rather not but after having them stolen it’s a non starter (excuse the pun!) now.
Like has been said, leave your side lights on all night if you’re worried about it or get some bike LEDs. I don’t think the side lights being left on all night flats the battery.
Pretty lame the police sending that letter to be fair. Would they rather have tired drivers looking for non existent parking for the night. If you get your load or diesel pinched in a layby I believe that’s just one of those things anyway.