I don't see what the judge thinks about drop-off charges is relevant. He's there to apply the law, not to give personal opinions, and this driver got off very lightly in my view. But I'm shocked that some appear to be empathising with this bloke for allegedly being provoked. A few strong words to express your displeasure maybe but to continue driving with a man on the car bonnet for several hundred yards? Come on!
In this instance, the drop-off charges - whether or not justified - were fairly well trailed in the media. Whether they are clearly shown as you enter the drop-off zone, I don't know.
This is not to say that the system as it is being applied is OK. If there are issues with pay machines, drivers being made to pay more than the £3 because of poor lane lay-out and congestion, then MAN needs to get it sorted. And drivers will not use the free bus system if there is a risk of a long wait because buses are full.