Last Updated on September 5, 2023 by Lawrence Berezin
Parking Ticket Land winds of change
The longer I work in NYC Parking Ticket Land, the more I believe life is one big circle. For example, I started battling the Evil Empire in December 2008. That same year, the DOT enacted a new pedestrian ramp rule that allowed parking at certain “T” intersections.
But, believe it or not, many cops, warriors, and judges refused to acknowledge the change. These people continued to hand out “illegal” pedestrian ramp tickets. While judges still found drivers guilty.
The DOT’s battle cry was “Safety first!”
Finally, after months of fighting, cops, warriors, and judges honored the new rule.
The circle of life hits NYC Parking Ticket Land.
The DOT wants to return to the past by replacing the current pedestrian ramp rule with the previous one. The old rule made it illegal to park in front of all pedestrian ramps, regardless of their location.
Big gasp! Are you kidding me?
Most importantly, no data has been presented to show that the current rule poses a risk to people with disabilities crossing at “T” intersections—those without traffic signals, all-way stop signs, or crosswalk markings.
This isn’t a question of “safety first.” This is another example of making it significantly more difficult for drivers to find parking in NYC.
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Parking Ticket Land’s Most Dangerous Intersections
Click on the circles for detailed information about the location of the dangerous intersection.
Voice your comments about the pedestrian ramp proposed rule
Please vote against the proposed pedestrian ramp rule by clicking the button below!
Comments close on September 5, 2023.
More information.
Big change number two
Gasp number two involves the alteration of commercial vehicles.
The proposed rule:
- Eliminates the requirement that the registered owner’s address be displayed on both sides of the vehicle, but
- Requires the legal or trade name of the commercial vehicle operator to be displayed on both sides of the vehicle.
–The definition of “commercial vehicle” in section 4-01(b) would be amended to align
with federal marking requirements relating to the display of the commercial vehicle
operator name.
–Section 4-08(k)(1) would be amended to align the existing unaltered commercial vehicle
markings with the requirement in Section 390.21 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal
Regulation that a commercial vehicle operator’s name be displayed.
My question to owners and operators of commercial vehicles: Is this a helpful change?
Big change number three.
The powers-to-be expect congestion pricing to begin in April 2024. I have written about this subject at length. Now that we are on the threshold of going live with congestion pricing, I’d love to hear your opinions. Are you for or against congestion pricing? Is congestion pricing a good thing?
Meanwhile, here is a series of congestion pricing recommendations from the office of the Manhattan Borough President as follows.
In the same vein, here’s an article from the N.Y. Times by Ana Ley:
Congestion pricing in New York City has cleared its final federal hurdle, officials said on Monday, all but ensuring that the first such program in the nation will begin next year with the aim of reducing traffic and pollution in Manhattan and funding improvements to mass transit.
The program would charge drivers a fee to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street, one of the world’s busiest and most traffic-clogged commercial districts.
Final approval was granted by the Federal Highway Administration, a spokeswoman said Monday, and a local panel appointed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority can now decide on final toll rates, including any discounts, exemptions and other allowances.
NY Times
Don’t forget about these changes
Speed Cameras
–NYC Patch, “Speeding Fell 30% Since NYC’s Traffic Cameras Went 24/7, Officials Say.“
–Larry’s Blog, “The Truth About School Zone Speed Cameras Running Out of Time.”
Outdoor Dining
—NYC Council Outdoor Dining Law
-N.Y. Times, “New York City Will Make Outdoor Dining Permanent, With Caveats“
Outdoor dining along New York City streets, one of the rare pandemic-era accommodations that proved popular, is set to become permanent — but in a way that could drive many restaurant owners to take down their streetside sheds for good.
Under a Bill passed by the City Council on Thursday, restaurants will be allowed to continue to offer outdoor dining in roadways under a new licensing system. But those structures will have to be removed for the winter, and reconstructed in the spring — a requirement that some restaurateurs say will be a costly and onerous burden.
The bill, which has the support of Mayor Eric Adams, aims to strike a balance by retaining a popular al fresco program while regulating it more closely, allowing for the clearing of abandoned or ugly dining sheds.
Still, some restaurant owners have expressed outrage about having to remove and store outdoor dining structures from Nov. 30 until March 31, which will take away a dining option for patrons, especially those who are immunocompromised or otherwise Covid-conscious. Smaller restaurants in particular could find it too expensive or cumbersome to participate.
NY Times
Commentary
I am deeply concerned about the proposed pedestrian ramp rule. Meanwhile, If the proposed rule was about safety, the DOT would pummel us with data about the number of deaths and severe injuries caused to pedestrians by cars parking at certain ramps. In other words, where’s the data?
On the other hand, here’s what the CDC has to say about pedestrian safety:
“Alcohol, speeding, and location are the major risk factors
- Alcohol was involved for the driver and/or pedestrian in nearly half (46%) of crashes that resulted in a pedestrian death in 2019.3 In these crashes:
- About one-tenth (13%) involved a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of at least 0.08 grams per deciliter (g/dL)—a level that is illegal for adults aged 21 and older in all U.S. states (Note: Utah has a BAC limit of 0.05 g/dL).3
- About one-third (32%) involved a pedestrian with a BAC of at least 0.08 g/dL.3
- Higher vehicle speeds increase both the likelihood of a pedestrian being struck by a car and the injury severity.4-5
- Most pedestrian deaths occur in urban areas, on roadway locations away from intersections (where higher speeds might occur), and at night.3“
And more
Meanwhile, the CDC did not connect pedestrian safety and parking in front of pedestrian ramps at “T” intersections without traffic signals, all-way stop signs, or crosswalk markings.
In the same vein, there are about 50,000 intersections in NYC. But how many of these are “T” intersections? Likewise, how many disabled people were injured crossing at pedestrian ramps without traffic control devices, marked crosswalks, and stop signs, where parked cars blocked their safe passage across a street?
This proposed rule is just an excuse to eliminate four legal parking spaces in certain “T” intersections.
I was here for the pedestrian ramp rule change in 2008. Meanwhile, it was a disaster. Likewise, the back-to-future proposed rule will be a disaster, too.
Most importantly, be vigilant, and so will I
I STRONGLY believe that NOBODY should be allowed to park in a PEDESTRIAN RAMP especially because my wife & I are BOTH HANDICAP . People may not like the idea but we both do. They also should give out a summons for parking in a HANDICAP PARKING SPACE that are NOT HANDICAP . Thanks
Hi Gary,
I hear you loud and clear about not wanting anyone to park in front of any pedestrian ramp. And, I respect your feelings on the subject, although I disagree.
I, too, am disabled. I have endured 20 surgeries, including heart attack, three angioplasties, and aneuyism removal. Currently, I am only able to walk for about 10 minutes without severe pain. But, although finding a car parked in front of a pedestrian ramp at a T intersection without a marked crosswalk, traffic controls, or stop sign may be inconvenient, it is more dangerous to cross the street at that location.
I sincerely appreciate your comment.
Regards,
Larry
I to suffered with aneurysm , stroke and seizure . I can walk maybe 1 block IF that BUT with a cane due to the stroke cause by a TRAFFIC MANAGER. . I was a CAPT in TRAFFIC as well.
Good idea . Cars should not park a handicap ramps period. Just to goto the store or anything. Make older and people with wheel chair go in to traffic. Should be $200
Hi Willie,
Thanks for taking the time to share your comment. If this proposed rule was about safety, I would be in favor. But, it’s about money. Raising revenue by issuing more pedestrian ramp tickets ($165).
Wouldn’t it be more reasonable to paint a crosswalk from the two points of travel? This way it would be safer to cross in the middle of the block and the presence of a crosswalk would prohibit parking in front of any of the pedestrian ramps.
Regards,
Larry
Thank you sir
Should be $200. people with wheel chairs should not have to go into traffic to get across
I TOTALLY AGREE .To many LAZY people park wherever they want.