Last Updated on February 10, 2018 by Lawrence Berezin
New parking law prevents this type of ambush
A new parking law will save you a bunch of money. Has this ever happened to you? You stop by your favorite deli for the 50 millionth time. It’s your lucky day because there is a space out front. You throw a quarter in the meter without even looking, as you’ve done forever. You spend your usual 40 minutes noshing and kibitzing and leave the deli to return to your car.
You’ve been shot with a parking ticket for an expired meter. How can that be? I’ll tell you how…The meter was changed today by the NYC_DOT. A quarter only buys you one-half hour, instead of the usual one hour.
That terrific corn beef sandwich just cost you an extra $65.00.
The new law
Here is a copy of the NYC Council press release. Bravo!
[alert type=”info” icon-size=”hide-icon”]NOTIFICATION OF PARKING METER CHANGES[/alert]
In conjunction with various parking meter changes being made by the Department of Transportation (DOT) throughout the City, the Council will require DOT to provide 30 days written notice when changes to parking meter rates or parking meter types are made. Specifically, DOT will now be required to notify communities through regular mail, electronic mail, and through DOT’s website. Parking meter changes include increasing meter rates, implementing new “Park Smart” pilot programs, and replacing single coin meters with muni-meters. Many times, these changes are made with little or no notice to the community affected by the change. This local legislation would take effect immediately after enacted into law.
‘Local communities are going to get the heads up they deserve when it comes to how some of the rules of the road are changed by the Department of Transportation,’ said Council Member Vincent Gentile. ‘When rates change on meters, for example, drivers won’t find out with an orange ticket on their windshield – they’ll know it’s coming long beforehand. Thank you to Speaker Quinn for making addressing the concerns of drivers a priority by supporting this bill.’ ”
Commentary
Parking rules are about compliance, not revenue raising. It is great to see the NYC Council responsive to the parking ticket pain suffered by their constituents. This is one of the packages of bills which was passed with the 5 Minute Grace Period Law. Its effective date is March 21, 2010.
City Council vs. City Hall. An interesting battle. Where is the smart money in this match?
Please join the conversation and share your parking ticket stories. We learn from each other’s experiences.
[Larry’s note: This is the second of a two-part series alerting our friends to recent changes in the parking laws favorable to the good guys and guyettes]
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