DRIVERS who skip street parking rules could soon be hit with automatic tickets under a new crackdown plan.
A proposed law aims to use cameras mounted on cleaning trucks to flag violators who don’t move their vehicles for scheduled sweepings.
The devices would spot cars parked in violation of alternate side parking signs (stock image)[/caption]
The pilot program would launch in New York City.
Lawmakers in the state Senate and Assembly introduced two bills earlier this year pushing for tech-based enforcement.
Last week, the City Council voted to support the bills through a home rule resolution, a formal request for state approval.
If passed, the program would put cameras on street sweepers in select neighborhoods.
The devices would spot cars parked in violation of alternate side parking signs, which require drivers to move for 90 minutes, twice a week.
Violators would automatically be issued fines through the mail.
Tickets will cost up to $50, with an added $25 penalty if paid late.
For the first 60 days, only warnings will be issued.
After that, full enforcement would begin.
The bills were introduced by State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Robert Carroll.
They say the move will improve street cleanliness and help sanitation crews do their jobs more efficiently.
According to the City Council’s resolution, better adherence to street cleaning schedules could reduce litter and pests.
“Regular street sweepings are a vital component of New York City’s efforts to maintain street cleanliness, reduce local vermin and litter issues, and keep stormwater conveyance infrastructure working as intended,” the resolution says.
The document adds: “Camera based enforcement paired with a reasonable monetary penalty may compel better adherence to street cleaning time.”
How to fight a parking ticket
You can avoid being ticketed by following all posted laws and ordinances, but sometimes mistakes are made
Like any form of citation, parking tickets are preventable by reading and obeying posted signage. However, when visiting a new city, or state, or in a hurry, things can be missed and mistakes are made.
Suddenly there’s a ticket you weren’t prepared to pay for. If the ticket is a surprise to you, there are a few things you can do to help your case when appealing a parking ticket.
- Carefully read the ticket. Look for errors like incorrect street names, license plate numbers, vehicle make and model, time and date, etc. Errors would then make the ticket invalid.
- Take photos. Of the vehicle in the parking space, lack of signage, or other vehicles that weren’t cited for performing the same parking job. If the ticket involves parking too close to something like a fire hydrant, a photo showing a reasonable distance would help your case. Make sure metadata with the time and date are accessible. Signs that are obstructed by trees, or are on bent posts, or aren’t “obvious” are great things to photograph, too.
- Make sure the statute that was violated is listed on the ticket. If not listed, the ticket is not valid.
- Promptly follow the appeal instructions on the ticket. All legitimate tickets will have directions for appeal. Waiting until the very last moment weakens your argument and can result in late fees.
- When in court, avoid these phrases as they reduce your credibility and weaken your argument:
- “I didn’t know the law.”
- “I was on my way to move my car.”
- “I can’t afford this ticket.”
- “I’ve been doing this for years.”
- “I checked with the parking officer, who said it was OK.”
- Contact a lawyer. If you’re running into roadblocks and feel stuck, it may be best to reach out to a traffic lawyer in your area. Many have free case consultations.
Source: Reader’s Digest
The proposed pilot would only affect certain zones in the city.
Earlier this year, the city suspended Alternate Side Parking during major snowstorms, allowing residents to keep their cars in place under mounds of snow.
New Yorkers are always on high alert for ASP updates, with over 2.2 million cars competing for limited city spaces.
As the year progresses, expect additional updates regarding summer and fall parking suspensions.
Drivers should stay alert and follow the city’s real-time alerts.
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