Parking ticket

[Ballatician]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca

Originally posted by: Ballatician
I see way to many people with handicap tags. It feels like maybe there isn't a lot of oversight about who gets them.

LOL, I originally read that as you thinking a lot of overweight people get them, and I was like "true, true."

sadly you are both right. being "obese" is a reason to get one. you just have to be able to claim you can't walk 200 ft without a rest.

Also in chicago a few aldermen got in trouble for having them and giving them out. Since meters in chicago shot up after they sold the rights to them..

You have to be kidding...that is ridiculous but explains why I see so many.

 

[xanis]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
I find it hard to believe it wasn't marked in some other way.

I'd love to see pictures.

When I go to class tomorrow, I'll take a picture of a blue meter, just so everyone can see what's up with them. Generally, there's a sign near the meter with all of the parking regulations. There's a separate section for the handicap parking, and it says something to the effect of, "Reserved at all times for *handicap tag* holders. Blah blah blah, kiosk must be paid." The PPA is currently in the middle of replacing all of the city's old parking meters with new, electronic solar-powered kiosks.

 

[nineball9]

Originally posted by: Common Courtesy

Originally posted by: bignateyk
What the hell is a blue meter? It wasn't labeled with a sign or a big painted wheelchair on the parking spot itself? If not, then that's a crock of shit. I've never heard of a blue meter before and if I got a ticket for parking at one i'd be pretty pissed.

I have seen plenty of blue meters along east coast cities. They existed 30 years ago when I was in the Boston area.

20 years ago, I can remember them in the DC area.

Bull. I've been a para for the last 35+ years living in Boston. There are no "blue meters" in Boston. I've never heard or seen of "blue meters" in Metro Boston either. Parking at meters is free for those with HP plates or placards.

30 years ago handicapped parking was almost nonexistant in Boston.

 

[xanis]

Originally posted by: nineball9

Originally posted by: Common Courtesy

Originally posted by: bignateyk
What the hell is a blue meter? It wasn't labeled with a sign or a big painted wheelchair on the parking spot itself? If not, then that's a crock of shit. I've never heard of a blue meter before and if I got a ticket for parking at one i'd be pretty pissed.

I have seen plenty of blue meters along east coast cities. They existed 30 years ago when I was in the Boston area.

20 years ago, I can remember them in the DC area.

Bull. I've been a para for the last 35+ years living in Boston. There are no "blue meters" in Boston. I've never heard or seen of "blue meters" in Metro Boston either. Parking at meters is free for those with HP plates or placards.

30 years ago handicapped parking was almost nonexistant in Boston.

Might be that way in Boston, but here in Philly there are still a good number of blue meters around. Oh, parking at them isn't free either, you still have to pay.

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: Elbryn
in my opinion actions are actions, intended or not. sorry didnt know that gun was loaded, i honestly didnt mean to shoot your son in the head. obviously this case is a much lesser degree but the fact is that ya did the act in question. i wouldnt have liked it much but i would have paid the ticket. same as if i was caught speeding. just my opinion though.

I realize this is the the standard holier-than-thou-asshole ATOT response, but I have never EVER seen a blue meter in my entire life. If I went to some messed up crap-hole town that used that as the only indicator, how would I know that meant handicapped only? Especially in the middle of the night.

Everywhere I've been paints giant blue squares and/or wheelchairs on the ground. Sounds like someone's fishing for extra revenue by not marking the pavement. I would damn well fight it.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: nineball9

Originally posted by: Common Courtesy

Originally posted by: bignateyk
What the hell is a blue meter? It wasn't labeled with a sign or a big painted wheelchair on the parking spot itself? If not, then that's a crock of shit. I've never heard of a blue meter before and if I got a ticket for parking at one i'd be pretty pissed.

I have seen plenty of blue meters along east coast cities. They existed 30 years ago when I was in the Boston area.

20 years ago, I can remember them in the DC area.

Bull. I've been a para for the last 35+ years living in Boston. There are no "blue meters" in Boston. I've never heard or seen of "blue meters" in Metro Boston either. Parking at meters is free for those with HP plates or placards.

30 years ago handicapped parking was almost nonexistant in Boston.

They were along Haymarket Square area

 

[SoulAssassin]

Originally posted by: Elbryn

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
I got a similar ticket at 2nd and Market at 2am on a weekend night a few years ago, didn't realize it was a handicapped spot...didn't even realized I had a ticket until the next morning because there was so many club flyers on the windshield when I got back to the car I just threw them on the seat. I had to appeal it 2 or 3 times and then write a letter to the PPA which was still denied, finally got a hearing..went in and sat down with some chick who hadn't even read the letter, explained the situation and said I wasn't refuting that I parked in the spot but it was an honest mistake. She dismissed the charges. Bottom line, fight the ticket and expect to be rejected a few times, keep fighting it and keep fighting it.

Oh and ATOT is the wrong place to ask for advice for things like this because it's a bunch of people who claim they have never gone 1mph over the speed limit. Don't listen to all the self-righteous assholes.

in my opinion actions are actions, intended or not. sorry didnt know that gun was loaded, i honestly didnt mean to shoot your son in the head. obviously this case is a much lesser degree but the fact is that ya did the act in question. i wouldnt have liked it much but i would have paid the ticket. same as if i was caught speeding. just my opinion though.

You jumped from level 2 to 999 which immediately invalidates your argument due to unnecessary escalation. But to follow that train of thought that's why there is a thing called murder and a thing called manslaughter. At 2AM or whatever it was, it's a victimless crime. Show some fucking compassion for a man who made an honest mistake. I find your use of the word "caught" to be interested. So if you speed and don't get caught it's fine? To me it is, but many here are so perfect they manage to sit at 1mph under all the time.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin

You jumped from level 2 to 999 which immediately invalidates your argument due to unnecessary escalation. But to follow that train of thought that's why there is a thing called murder and a thing called manslaughter. At 2AM or whatever it was, it's a victimless crime. Show some fucking compassion for a man who made an honest mistake. I find your use of the word "caught" to be interested. So if you speed and don't get caught it's fine? To me it is, but many here are so perfect they manage to sit at 1mph under all the time.

Nothing is illegal until you get caught...

I still find it hard to believe the guy lives in the area and didn't know there were "Blue Meters for handicapped parking." It appears to be a state law.
I also don't really believe he didn't know he was parking in a designated handicapped spot. (unless the meter wasn't properly marked with the appropriate signage...being intoxicated isn't an excuse, nor is the fact that it was late at night)

HOWEVER, would I fight the ticket if it was me? You fucking betcha...especially if it wasn't properly marked other than a blue housing. From what little I can find on Pennsylvania's "Handicapped meter" law, each meter is supposed to properly signed as "HCP Parking." Be sure to go to that exact meter, and if there are no signs or markings specifying it as a "Handicapped Person" meter, take pictures and fight it. Be sure to also take pics at night under the street lights since that's part of your defense.


I see asshats park in the handicapped spots all the time. "Oh, I'm only running up to the ATM, I'll be gone in a minute." or "I have to go get one item in the grocery store. I'll only be a minute." or, "It's night time, the parking lot isn't crowded, the fucking cripples have lots of places to park." :roll:

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: iamanidiot
Yes I feel bad for parking in handicapped spot. I never did it before. It was around 12 when I parked and I didn't even look at the meter because I didn't need to put money in the meter that late. When I went back to pick up my car it was the only one on the road. The thing is though, I didn't pick up the car the same night because I was drunk... That may not be fun trying to explain.

Driving blind drunk -and- parking in a handicapped space?

Think of all the booze you could've bought with that $301

 

[mb]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

Originally posted by: iamanidiot
Yes I feel bad for parking in handicapped spot. I never did it before. It was around 12 when I parked and I didn't even look at the meter because I didn't need to put money in the meter that late. When I went back to pick up my car it was the only one on the road. The thing is though, I didn't pick up the car the same night because I was drunk... That may not be fun trying to explain.

Driving blind drunk -and- parking in a handicapped space?

Think of all the booze you could've bought with that $301

It sounds to me like he left his car there so he would NOT have to drive drunk.

Ie, drive to bar, get drunk at bar, get a ride home from DD, pick up car in morning.

 

[hanoverphist]

Originally posted by: amdhunter
You know, handicapped people want to be treated just like everyone else. I think they should get tickets for parking in non-handicapped spots to make things fair.

LOL ive said the same thing before.


pay the ticket, ignorance is no excuse in the law.

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: WA261
I did not know they had those.

Same here. Handicapped spots are all boldly painted here - I can't say with any certainty I'd have made the connection if it were simply a blue meter.

Did it have a little wheelchair dude on it? If so, then you're fucked.

I'm with everyone else for crucifying people who park in those who don't truly need to, but man, if it's just blue and nothing else, that's pretty stealth.

 

[So]

Originally posted by: Mike Gayner

Originally posted by: iamanidiot

Originally posted by: BoomerD

I'm the kind of prick who will drop a dime on you for parking in a handicapped spot MOST of the time. If the OP had accidentally parked in a handicapped spot overnight and there was lots of other parking, then retrieved his car before parking got crowded the next morning...then let it slide, but by his own admission:

The thing is though, I didn't pick up the car the same night because I was drunk... That may not be fun trying to explain.

says he deserves the ticket he got...and his car SHOULD have been towed on top of the ticket.
(watches for the OP on "Parking Wars."

Saterday morning = no crowd. Not trying to say what I did was right but I think it's better that I took a cab instead of attempting to drive.

Do you want a medal? Should we be congratulating you for parking in a disabled space rather than driving drunk?

Yes, you should. He says he did it by accident -- we have no reason to disbelieve him, and it sounds like he parked it before he was drunk, but it was dark. He SHOULD be praised for doing the right (but more expensive) thing!

OP: No reason to tell the judge why you left it overnight, if it doesn't come up. Just say, "I only realized it when I got back in the morning".

 

[So]

Originally posted by: Xanis
$301 fine? Blue meter? You're in Philly, aren't you? Whereabouts did you park?

Also, you could fight it I suppose... but really, it was your fault. Ignorance isn't going to get you out of the ticket methinks.

No, but if he's honest and points out that it was on off peak time, the judge might reduce it to the minimum fine.

 

[Elbryn]

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin

Originally posted by: Elbryn

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
I got a similar ticket at 2nd and Market at 2am on a weekend night a few years ago, didn't realize it was a handicapped spot...didn't even realized I had a ticket until the next morning because there was so many club flyers on the windshield when I got back to the car I just threw them on the seat. I had to appeal it 2 or 3 times and then write a letter to the PPA which was still denied, finally got a hearing..went in and sat down with some chick who hadn't even read the letter, explained the situation and said I wasn't refuting that I parked in the spot but it was an honest mistake. She dismissed the charges. Bottom line, fight the ticket and expect to be rejected a few times, keep fighting it and keep fighting it.

Oh and ATOT is the wrong place to ask for advice for things like this because it's a bunch of people who claim they have never gone 1mph over the speed limit. Don't listen to all the self-righteous assholes.

in my opinion actions are actions, intended or not. sorry didnt know that gun was loaded, i honestly didnt mean to shoot your son in the head. obviously this case is a much lesser degree but the fact is that ya did the act in question. i wouldnt have liked it much but i would have paid the ticket. same as if i was caught speeding. just my opinion though.

You jumped from level 2 to 999 which immediately invalidates your argument due to unnecessary escalation. But to follow that train of thought that's why there is a thing called murder and a thing called manslaughter. At 2AM or whatever it was, it's a victimless crime. Show some fucking compassion for a man who made an honest mistake. I find your use of the word "caught" to be interested. So if you speed and don't get caught it's fine? To me it is, but many here are so perfect they manage to sit at 1mph under all the time.

Using the word caught is correct. All actions have a risk versus reward to them. if i speed and get caught, i pay the price. if i speed and dont get caught, i dont and i win. That is not my point of contention. My point is that if you park in a handicap spot and get caught, admit you were in the spot, and then try to get out of it.. well that doesnt feel right to me. you may have made an honest mistake but you admitted that you made it. own up to the fact and pay the penalty. we've all made mistakes before and i would have compassion for someone who didnt notice a sign, parked in the wrong place, and posted a rant complaining about the price. there'd be general commiseration and vigorous fist shaking at the man for levying a fee for so much. but because the fine is so much, pretty much means you're never going to not take a look at the color meter you're parking at again, right?

 

[mb]

own up to the fact and pay the penalty.

He did own up to the fact. But that doesn't mean that he can't fight it. This is America after all - he has the right. The judge can either laugh at him or pity him, but no one is forcing him to pay it instantly just because he received it.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: tasmanian
Plead not guilty and explain your story. Take a picture of the meter at night with no flash and a regular one. If your lucky the judge might get rid of the ticket or at least reduce the fine.

Do this ^^. I've gotten out of parking tickets before. The last time I won an appeal I was "delivering medicine to my sick grandmother." It was one of those permit only streets in a residential area.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: JLee

Originally posted by: CZroe
Ugh. Anyone faulting him for not knowing that a blue meter is for handicapped parking is an idiot themselves. I didn't know. Heck, most people don't even live remotely near a parking meter and rarely see or use them (I had maybe used one once in my life before moving to SD). Why not just put up the international symbol with it?! You've got a freakin' POLE right there to put it on!

If in CA, as BoomerD states, a disabled person can park as long as they wish and can park at an on-street meter at no charge, then why would a blue meter even exist? You can't expect someone from another state to know that just like I didn't know the rules about chocking wheels and parking motorcycles in CA (rear tire must touch the curb).

Our handicapped spots are not metered...I'm not sure I've ever seen a blue meter before.

one of these?

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Ballatician

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca

Originally posted by: Ballatician
I see way to many people with handicap tags. It feels like maybe there isn't a lot of oversight about who gets them.

LOL, I originally read that as you thinking a lot of overweight people get them, and I was like "true, true."

sadly you are both right. being "obese" is a reason to get one. you just have to be able to claim you can't walk 200 ft without a rest.

Also in chicago a few aldermen got in trouble for having them and giving them out. Since meters in chicago shot up after they sold the rights to them..

You have to be kidding...that is ridiculous but explains why I see so many.

nope it really pisses me off. I have a handicapped plate (severe arthritis, and mild CP) but i rarely park in the spots. but it pisses me off when i see a fat person get out after parking in the spot.

hell i would trade having all my medical issues just to be "obese" i can cure that in a year or two of hard work.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: Elbryn

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
I got a similar ticket at 2nd and Market at 2am on a weekend night a few years ago, didn't realize it was a handicapped spot...didn't even realized I had a ticket until the next morning because there was so many club flyers on the windshield when I got back to the car I just threw them on the seat. I had to appeal it 2 or 3 times and then write a letter to the PPA which was still denied, finally got a hearing..went in and sat down with some chick who hadn't even read the letter, explained the situation and said I wasn't refuting that I parked in the spot but it was an honest mistake. She dismissed the charges. Bottom line, fight the ticket and expect to be rejected a few times, keep fighting it and keep fighting it.

Oh and ATOT is the wrong place to ask for advice for things like this because it's a bunch of people who claim they have never gone 1mph over the speed limit. Don't listen to all the self-righteous assholes.

in my opinion actions are actions, intended or not. sorry didnt know that gun was loaded, i honestly didnt mean to shoot your son in the head. obviously this case is a much lesser degree but the fact is that ya did the act in question. i wouldnt have liked it much but i would have paid the ticket. same as if i was caught speeding. just my opinion though.

Are you stupid? If the city does something that is just short of scamming its citizens, he has every right to fight it. A better analogy is the city putting a no parking sign behind a tree so that no one sees it. But to compare it to accidentally shooting someone...JC you belong in ATPN.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: drum

Originally posted by: nick1985
In college my dad came to my class to pick me up after I got out to take me to the doctor. I just had a tumor removed in my leg and I was on crutches, so he parked in the handicapped spot right in front of the building for me. When I got out of class there was a cop behind him writing him a ticket for parking in a handicapped spot.

I crutched over and gave the cop a sad look and he stopped writing the ticket and tore it up. :thumbsup:

you beat the cop senseless with your crutches didn't you.

Nah, he didn't get off that easily. I suplexed him onto a fire hydrant. :thumbsup:

 

[BurnItDwn]

In Illinois, all handicap spaces are required to have a sign, as well as paint around the space , and extra room on the sides of the space .... pretty much ... here, it's pretty much impossible to mistake a spot ....

If the spot wasn't labeled as well as it should have been, check to see if there's a law that requires them to be ..... perhaps that may help your case as well. It sounds like an honest mistake, and that's really a hefty fine for an honest mistake.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Fight it for the sake of fighting it.

I've never seen a blue meter. People either just park at a metered spot and put on their disabled placard or park in a regular handicapped spot. No meter there.

I still don't get SF and the yellow and red meters and crap. I just look at them. They usually have some fat warning about when NOT to park and 95% of the time I'm there I can park there because it's also after hours. Always look at the meter and go up to it and read it. Even if you look dumb.

Like once in Oakland I was lucky I read it because Veterans Day wasn't an official holiday there, but we got school off so I drove over to buy stuff. Good thing I paid.

 

[rockyct]

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: JLee

Originally posted by: CZroe
Ugh. Anyone faulting him for not knowing that a blue meter is for handicapped parking is an idiot themselves. I didn't know. Heck, most people don't even live remotely near a parking meter and rarely see or use them (I had maybe used one once in my life before moving to SD). Why not just put up the international symbol with it?! You've got a freakin' POLE right there to put it on!

If in CA, as BoomerD states, a disabled person can park as long as they wish and can park at an on-street meter at no charge, then why would a blue meter even exist? You can't expect someone from another state to know that just like I didn't know the rules about chocking wheels and parking motorcycles in CA (rear tire must touch the curb).

Our handicapped spots are not metered...I'm not sure I've ever seen a blue meter before.

one of these?

I've actually never seen one of those before and I've seen a lot of handicapped spaces from parking with my sister who has severe CP.