Why you shouldn't Vertically Paralell Park... (Perpendicular)

[jefferios]

Hey folks, I know this topic has been talked about before but I wanted to share my story, it is hot of the press! (Read all about it!)

The title of the story: Local Smart Car Owner gets his first parking Ticket.

I know the City laws regarding parallel parking, blah blah...So I won't do that because it is stated it would be illegal to park like this:




So in my DORM parking lot we follow the Iowa State University DPS laws for parking. I called in the first week of class to see if there were laws (I looked online and didn't see any) DPS told me, no there is no law, go ahead it is okay. Yay I can park like vertically and totally show off my smart!

Well it has been two weeks since that call, and today I look at my smart and see a yellow ticket flapping in the wind under the wiper. I run over to see if it was for MY car or someone else's ticket trying to play a joke on me. It was for my Smart; I got a $15 ticket for Illegal Parking . The ticket was only issued a few minutes before I saw it. Thankfully, DPS was still open to 5pm today, so I biked over to their location on campus and began to file a appeal form. Once I filled that out I asked very kindly if I can speak to someone that can tell me the rules of the parallel parking laws in the Student lots.

The gentleman came out and I told him the situation (He was excited to meet me) Well we talked and his major concern was that other students might start like parking like this. (Non Smart cars...can you imagine! ) Anyway he asked me kindly to park like everyone else, he also told me that he will appeal my ticket. I accepted his request...so no more Smart parking at Iowa State University.

By the way, after everything was figured out he asked how much do they cost, and where they sell them...oh yea "Are they electric?"

[jediknight36]

I dont know about specific areas, but from my understanding as long as it is not blocking traffic, you are good. Thanks for the story though.

[Trena]

I think that's a stupid reason to disallow you to park perpendicular to the curb. Maybe I should stop scuba diving...someone might try to do it without scuba unit and training, etc. 'Everyone else' doesn't have a smart car, so they shouldn't be allowed to park perpendicular. If they get a car (or motorcycle, as pictured next to your smart), then they, too, can park this way. It's nice of you to be so gracious, but it would tick me off.

[jediknight36]

Originally Posted by Trena

I think that's a stupid reason to disallow you to park perpendicular to the curb. Maybe I should stop scuba diving...someone might try to do it without scuba unit and training, etc. 'Everyone else' doesn't have a smart car, so they shouldn't be allowed to park perpendicular. If they get a car (or motorcycle, as pictured next to your smart), then they, too, can park this way. It's nice of you to be so gracious, but it would tick me off.

Exactly. If they get ticketed, and they point to your car, your 8 ft long car is its own defense.

[Old smart]

You cannot contort public regulation on behalf of a one-specific automobile.

[jediknight36]

Originally Posted by Old smart

You cannot contort public regulation on behalf of a one-specific automobile.

No, but in this case, there is no rule against it. They just dont like it and request that he doesn't do it again, lest other join him.

[spdickey]

Parking Court is in session...

You were found in violation of published rules from Iowa State as found at http://www.dps.iastate.edu/pdfs/parking-manual.pdf look for the reference "improper parking" specifically it lists several ways you can park improperly but it is not limited to just those things.

The manual also references the State of Iowa Motor Vehicle Laws are in effect on campus. So your argument that those rules don't apply are not true. It also states that you the driver are held responsible for obeying those laws. Since you did not obey the law on parallel parking, you were properly ticketed.

Under the State of Iowa motor vehicle laws found at Iowa Code 1999: Section 321.361

321.361 Additional parking regulations.

Except as otherwise provided in this section every vehicle stopped or parked upon a roadway where there are adjacent curbs shall be so stopped or parked with the right-hand wheels of such vehicle parallel to and within eighteen inches of the right-hand curb.

Local authorities may by ordinance permit parking of vehicles with the left-hand wheels adjacent to and within eighteen inches of the left-hand curb of a one-way roadway.

Local authorities may by ordinance permit angle or center parking on any roadway under their jurisdiction.

Guilty, as proven by the photographic evidence you presented. Pay the ticket ($15 is cheap),

[jwight]

I called in the first week of class to see if there were laws (I looked online and didn't see any) DPS told me, no there is no law, go ahead it is okay.

Jeff, sad to say, but as a career (now retired) government employee, words are written on the wind - if you didn't get it in writing it never happened. Just my .02, but always get an e-mail, fax or actual written response when dealing with any government entity, at any level.

[jefferios]

spdickey, I knew about the Iowa laws but I didn't think they applied to the ISU parking lots. The supervisor was happy I came and talked to him and they are currently developing a new rule for future smart owners at ISU so they cannot do this "strange parking" as he said.

I can understand how some of you are upset about the ruling but he made the choice to remove the ticket, and I have to agree, I don't want BIG SUV's parking incorrectly in those spots.

I don't need to be rebellious, I'm in college.

jwright, you are correct.

Also I do not want to go through this again if I get ticked by another student DPS worker.

[jediknight36]

Private property?

I know thats how it was seen at my school until this semester. Now, instead of Dallas PD enforcing North Lake College rules, they now enforce Dallas law. Bigger fine, and it dosnt go to the school anymore.