[quote=tdracer]BTW, for those of us on the west side of the pond, what's a fixed penalty notice[quote/]
For all intents and purposes, it is an oon the spot fine = only courts can issue fines, which is whhy it is referred to as a fixedpenalty notice. Plus it is a fixed amount. You can refuse to pay it and then you will end up in a magistrates court.
It's an easy way to penalise people, without having to the expense of using a court, for petty offences, a bit like aa speeding ticket.