in reply to (OT) japhy gets a ticket (grumble)

Parking law enforcement these days has less to do with generating public safety and more to do with generating municipal revenue. There's nothing more effective than a byzantine jungle of meters, signs, colored curbs, and opaque statutes to mystify and disarm someone who simply wants to get somewhere.

I had my car towed this weekend, from a metered spot. Further investigation revealed a sign which disallows any parking from 12am to 9am. Total cost to me, including ticket, $210 ($160 towing, $50 ticket). Total cost to the city? Hah! I don't even want to think about the profit margin on that transaction.

   MeowChow                                   
               s aamecha.s a..a\u$&owag.print
  • Comment on (MeowChow) Re: (OT) japhy gets a ticket (grumble)

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Re: (MeowChow) Re: (OT) japhy gets a ticket (grumble)
by merlyn (Sage) on Jan 06, 2002 at 02:21 UTC
    In Oregon, the parking restriction signs have a left or right arrow (or double headed arrow) to indicate whether the restriction is to the left or right of the sign. So at a glance, you can quickly note the restriction.

    In Washington state (well, at least Seattle), they have signs that say "no parking NORTH of here". Doh! I've been circling the block looking for a spot, and now I'm supposed to figure out which way north is? That's got to be simply for revenue generation for the out-of-towners. They probably provide all the locals with compasses. {grin}

    -- Randal L. Schwartz, Perl hacker

      Moss grow on the north side of trees. Maybe that applies to parking meter posts too. ;)

      --Jim