A HOST of drivers parked along a popular tourist spot had their cars towed along with hefty fines over the recent Labor Day Weekend.
The narrow two-lane route frustratingly was reduced to a single lane due to the number of vehicles parked improperly – eventually leading to 12 cars being towed away.
Many drivers that headed to a popular tourist spot over the Labor Day weekend found themselves hit with major fines[/caption]
The narrow route was reduced to just a one-lane road – making it even trickier to navigate[/caption]
Many cars even ended up being towed as they were illegally parked[/caption]
Some visitors to the Guanella Pass Road, located in the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado, were hit with $4,375 in tickets over the recent holiday weekend, according to the Denver Gazette.
The Guanella Pass Road, a scenic 22-mile route popular among tourists and hikers, is known to get especially busy during its operational period – from Memorial Day to mid-November – as it provides access to attractions like Mount Bierstadt trailhead, campgrounds and stunning autumn scenery.
However, the limited parking spaces often lead to illegal parking along the roadside, which narrows the two-lane road.
This creates a particular hazard and can even delay emergency vehicles if they’re needed.
In recent times, efforts to curb illegal parking, such as installing signage and issuing tickets, have been somewhat effective – but have not entirely resolved the problem.
Since July 23, numerous tickets have been issued and during peak times like Labor Day Weekend, many vehicles were reportedly towed.
Indeed, according to an August 13 report, at least 37 tickets had been handed out to illegal parkers since the installation of the signs.
These drivers have been forced to pay a fee of at least $87.50 for each ticket.
To avoid being forced to park illegally, motorists are being urged to arrive early to increase their chances of getting a spot.
This comes as a new law has come to Colorado which could see drivers risk fines of up to $1,000 – starting from this month and running through to May next year.
The so-called Chain Law applies to a host of major routes running through the state – with a particular focus on those whose carelessness leads to roads becoming blocked.
Active throughout the upcoming colder months, the Chain Law, as well as the Passenger Vehicle Traction Law, went into effect on Monday, September 1 and will remain in place through to May 31.
According to State Patrol and reported by KKTV, all motor vehicles that weigh less than 16,001 pounds driving along I-70, between Morrison and Dotsero, just east of Glenwood Springs, must have tire chains for two or more drive tires.
Failing that, they must have an approved Alternative Traction Device (ATD), a tool or equipment designed to improve tire traction on snowy or icy roads, for two or more drive tires.
Alternatively, tires with a tread depth of at least 3/16-inch which are rated for either “All weather” or “Mud and Snow” by the manufacturer will also suffice.
Drivers are urged to check if their tires are indicated on the side of the tire by “M+S”, “M/S” or an icon of a mountain with a snowflake.
A penalty for not meeting these requirements is a $50 fine plus a $17 surcharge.
However, for larger vehicles weighing more than 16,000 pounds, a chain or ATD requirements apply on specific roads, regardless of weather.
Larger penalties for non-compliance can be expected here; up to a $500 fine plus a $79 surcharge.
And if a larger vehicle that doesn’t follow the rules ends up stuck and blocking the roadway, the fine increases to $1,000 plus a $157 surcharge.
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; or 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
