When Parking Meters Go Bad
|
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
I echo Charles R. Larson's sentiments ["In This Game of Slots, D.C. Drivers Are the Losers," Local Opinions, March 8]. I often park at meters in Northwest, and I, too, have put in my first quarter without getting any time in return. Generally, if I put in another quarter, some time will register. But sometimes putting in a quarter causes a "fail" message to appear.
I don't park at those meters, because I suspect I would get a ticket if I did. This was confirmed recently by a friend who left his car by such a meter near Western and Wisconsin avenues NW. His ticket was for $50.
J.B. OSTMANN
Washington
--
There is a money- and time-saving solution to the problem of broken D.C. parking meters:
Keep a pen and a scrap of paper in your car. When a meter malfunctions, call the city's "broken meter hotline" at 202-541-6030 (this number is written on the meter). Give the operator the meter number, then place a note on the curb side of your dashboard that includes the time, date and meter number as well as the confirmation number provided by the operator. Believe it or not, the operators are generally quick to answer calls and give you the information you need. The whole transaction takes a minute or two.
You should now be able to park for the maximum amount of time allowed by the meter. I have used this strategy many times, and I have never received a ticket. If you do get one, you can contest it using the confirmation number.
BETSY SANTARLASCI
Washington
