Parking Ticket Defense of Stop, Drop-Off or Pick-Up and Go

Last Updated on July 6, 2020 by Lawrence Berezin

Parking ticket defense

A great parking ticket defense. Is it safe? Who can forget the classic scene from “Marathon Man” when Dr. Szell asks menacingly while holding his dental instruments over the open mouth of Dustin Hoffman, “Is it safe?”

We receive numerous communications from our website visitors, friends and clients asking us, “Where is it safe to stop my vehicle to drop-off or pick up a passenger?” I’m not sure what is more terrifying and painful, Dr. Szell, or a parking ticket warrior issuing a $115 parking ticket for stopping in a crosswalk to drop off a passenger.

Is it safe to stop, drop and go?

Here are some instances when NYC parking rules permit you to stop your vehicle temporarily, drop-off/pick-up a passenger, and immediately, faster than a speeding bullet, go on your way. You can never, ever wait for your passenger to return to your vehicle.

• Where parking is prohibited. You may stop your vehicle alongside the curb and drop-off/pick-up a passenger where parking is prohibited.  You may also unload your property to the curb; or load your property from curbside to your vehicle. Temporarily means 2 minutes or less.
• Where standing is prohibited. Same as above; except you may not load or unload your property.
• Where standing is prohibited in a bus stop zone. You may stop your vehicle temporarily in a bus stop zone to expeditiously drop-off/pick-up a passenger. You may not unload property to the curb.
• Pedestrian Ramp. You may stop your vehicle temporarily in front of a pedestrian ramp to drop-off/pick-up a passenger; so long as the pedestrian ramp is NOT located inside a crosswalk.
• Driveway. Where parking or standing is prohibited you may stop temporarily in front of a driveway to drop-off/pick-up a passenger.

Larry, you said it was safe, but I still received a NYC parking ticket

Sad but true. The strategy of some parking ticket warriors is to shoot first, and never ask questions later. So, even when the NYC parking rules permit you to stop, drop and go, you may still feel the sting of a warrior’s scanner.

Whe you’re right–FIGHT! It is incredibly important you don’t go off half-cocked and send in a rant. Present the proper proof properly, and you have a very reasonable chance to beat your parking ticket.

Tips:

• Do not turn off your motor. Keep your foot on the brake so your rear brake lights are illuminated. Activate your turn signal indicating you are in the process of returning to the active roadway.
• If you see a warrior nearby, take photographs with your cell phone camera of your passenger exiting or entering your vehicle.
• If you are issued a parking ticket, take a photograph showing the exact location where you stopped your vehicle. Include street signs, building addresses or other landmarks whenever possible
• Obtain any documents that evidence your passenger’s reason for being dropped-off/picked-up at the location where you were ticketed.