When I was poor
My family had moved all the way from Hertfordshire to Nairn in the Highlands of Scotland. I had stayed in Herts and had a taken a job with the DHSS, I only had to do 5 minutes work every fortnight so the hours were good but the pay was shit.

I was driving up to spend Christmas with them and had turned all of my money into petrol hoping that it would be enough to get me the 515 miles to my destination*. I had forgotten that there was a toll on the Forth Road Bridge. I got to the toll booth, the charge was a very reasonable 30p. I took out the last of the coins in my pocket: 18p in coppers:
Me: "Umm, hello"
She: "Hulloo"
Me: "I'm afraid I've only got 18p"
She: "Have you got a credit card?"
Me: "No"
She: "Have you got a cheque book?"
Me: "No"
She: "Have you got any stamps or phonecards?"
Me: "I've got a phonecard but there's no credit on it"
She: "Oh"
Me: "Well, I suppose I'll have to turn back"
She: "I can't let you do that"
Me: "Oh dear, looks like I'm stuck here then"
She: "I'll have to let you through and pay the 12p out of my own pocket. Are you planning on driving back down south soon?"
Me: "Yes"
She: "My names Fiona**, make sure you put the 12p in an envelope marked with my name and hand it to whoever is on the booth"

She let me pass and true to my word, on my return journey I handed an envelope containing 12p and a thankyou note to the man in the booth.

*It was but for the last 50 miles the fuel gauge showed empty, mobile phones were only for the very rich, there was snow, it was very cold and I was in fear of my life.
**Could have been Morag, bound to be one or the other.
( stopmeandslapme Cometh the hour, cometh your mum, Thu 22 Apr 2010, 17:53, 3 replies)

I have often wondered...
...precisely what they'd do on a toll road if someone tried to pass through without the ability to pay. Now I know, though I doubt that's the official line.

I do like the free-for-all no-lane madness just after the booths.
(ThomsonsPier consumes, Fri 23 Apr 2010, 10:20, closed)

I expect it's an offence to try to go through without paying
she probably could have had me arrested if she hadn't taken pity on me.
( stopmeandslapme Cometh the hour, cometh your mum, Fri 23 Apr 2010, 15:16, closed)

I did this at the Dartford crossing.
Because I always keep a few quid in the dash for the toll, but I forgot I was driving the girlfriend's car, not mine. I had to pull over and wait in the parking bay of shame, and the crossing cop came over and made me sign a bit of paper saying I'd come back and pay a double-price twat fare within 24 hours, or else I'd be getting a steep fine in the post.
(Horns, Sat 24 Apr 2010, 3:18, closed)