DRIVERS have been stunned by an apparent parking loophole that sees penalty tickets cost less than paying for parking meters during special events in a major US city.
However, officials have also warned motorists that the trick can lead to hidden costs – or even the possibility of having their vehicle towed.
A parking loophole in San Diego leaves drivers paying less for tickets than meters[/caption]
Officials have warned drivers of hidden costs and risks with expired meter tickets[/caption]
Event parking near Petco Park reaches $10 per hour during special events[/caption]
Law enforcement encourages drivers to follow parking laws despite higher costs[/caption]
According to ABC 10News, the new special event parking rates in downtown San Diego, specifically around Petco Park, sees parking meter rates within a half-mile radius increase to $10 per hour.
This rate, which applies from two hours before the event starts to four hours after it begins, is aimed at events expected to attract 10,000 or more attendees.
That means, for the total of six hours, drivers are looking at paying $60 to merely park their vehicles.
However, according to the City of San Diego’s Municipal Code, getting a parking ticket for an expired meter costs $55 (or $58.50 if paid online), which actually works out at $5 cheaper.
So, for many car owners, this is seen as a way to save money by intentionally letting their meter expire – instead of paying the higher parking meter fees.
However, the city and law enforcement warn that this loophole comes with risks, as unpaid tickets can accumulate late fees, while repeated violations can lead to vehicle towing – something that can cost $400 or more.
“The expired meter fees were last adjusted in July, and we continue to monitor whether citation amounts are appropriately set to deter violations,” said City of San Diego Senior Public Information Officer Leslie Wolf Branscomb.
And, Travis Easter of the San Diego Police Department, added: “Any time that enforcement, especially when it comes to a parking ticket, it can be avoided; let’s avoid it.
“If you’re trying to save money, maybe it’s the cheaper way, but at the same time, let’s make sure that we abide by the laws, no matter how inconvenient, no matter how pricey they are, they are the laws, they’re there for a reason.”
He added: “The $5 that you may be saving, or $10, or however much it is that you think that you’re saving now can become very, very costly.”
What’s more, according to the municipal code, the first late fee is $30, while a second late fee of $10.
“If you get a lot of parking violations, a lot of parking tickets, eventually that can build up and the vehicle can be towed,” Easter said.
“It can range from $400 or more, and again, it goes up by the day as well.”
The city also clarified that drivers don’t need to pay for the full six hours if they don’t need that much time.
Elsewhere in San Diego, a driver was recently forced to pay a $2,000 repair bill after a thief stole the gas from his vehicle.
Speaking to reporters, Marco revealed that he immediately discovered a bizarre issue with his truck’s gas tank after he attempted to take his children to school.
It’s since been revealed he’s one of many residents in the same neighbourhood who have been forced to foot the bill on fixing their cars – after crooks drilled holes in the fuel tanks.
Recounting the moment he discovered the issue, Marco told Fox 5: “My computer dashboard said zero miles to empty, which is strange.”
He then looked under his truck to find drill shavings on the ground, before smelling gas and noticing the hole.
He added that the cost of replacing the damaged plastic gas tank is expected to be over $2,000 – as newer polyethylene tanks can’t be patched due to their expanding and contracting properties.
He said: “It’s infuriating and frustrating. I work in South County, my spouse works in North County, our kids go to school in the middle.
“It’s just not easy to live on one car.”
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
