Why Driver Cried “Foul” over Parking Ticket Collection Process

Is the NYC parking ticket on-line payment app deceptive?

I recently viewed an excellent video by PIX journalist, Greg Mocker. At the outset of the report, Mr. Mocker shared some shocking statistics:

Mocker goes on to report about injustice in NYC Parking Ticket Land. For example:

• The on-line collection tool fails to separate a base fine and penalty for a NYC parking ticket
• The lack of independent proof (photographs) when a parking ticket is issued
• The absence of sufficient notice to the driving public when temporary changes are made of parking restrictions

I love when the media alerts the driving public about hidden parking traps and confusing parking ticket practices and procedures. Especially when the report motivates the Evil Empire and Department of Transportation to rectify their questionable behavior.

Here’s the PIX video

Check out the on-line parking ticket payment app

The “Payment Amount” (circled in red) includes a base fine of $115 plus a $10 late penalty. However, this is a secret, and the payment amount shown on the app differs from the amount entered on the parking ticket. The total amount a driver must pay to eliminate his debt is $125.  An unsuspecting driver may not be aware of this important bit of information, and simply think it is a mistake…A very costly mistake.

If a driver pays a lesser amount, or the base fine only, the penalty will remain outstanding. Additional penalties will be assessed after 61 and 81 days following the issuance of the parking ticket. After 100 days, a driver will owe the Evil Empire $60 in penalties, despite paying the base fine. And, a judgment will be entered for the amount still due.

Then, interest on the outstanding parking ticket debt will accrue.

Commentary

What do you think? Is it a deceptive practice to fail to separate a base fine and penalty?

There is a law that grants a 5 day grace period to contest a parking ticket, following the installation of  a permanent, new, parking sign.

§ 19-175.2 Notification of changes in parking restrictions.

“a. Following any permanent change in parking restrictions posted by the department, the department shall post notice, in the affected areas, indicating the effective date of such change.

Within one business day of making a permanent change in parking restrictions, such change will be reflected on the website containing parking restrictions as required by section 19-175.1 of the code.”

But, what about temporary construction signs? You park on Monday and return to your legal parking space on Friday and find your car gone! And, your formerly legal parking space is now smack, dab in the middle of a construction project.

Has this happened to you? Well, it happened to our great friend Joe last week. I’m going to share Joe’s story with you on Friday in a new blog post. You’ll be shocked at the ending.

Kudos to Greg Mocker for raising public awareness of suspect practices and procedures in Parking Ticket Land.