I try to avoid driving in the city generally because sicko-biker

But occasionally I have to operate a car in the city during rush hour, and it seems like every 2 blocks some rideshare is stopping in a travel lane to do pick-up/drop-off.

I can understand it to some degree if there is truly a complete gridlock of traffic (no harm no foul), but seems like people just be putting on emergency flashers and stopping about anywhere now.

Anyway, just another reason to avoid getting in a car when inside a city.

  • VILenin [he/him]
    ·
    6 months ago

    Does the city actually enforce parking regulations? It doesn’t matter whether or not you have your flashers on, and it doesn’t matter whether or not you’re in the car, and it doesn’t matter if it’s “just for a minute”, and it doesn’t matter if you take off once they get your license plate.

    Any decently sized city has passenger loading zones. That’s what they’re there for. But god forbid you have to walk a minute to your destination. Of course, people park there too with the park anywhere lights.

    An eternity ago, I was a meter maid (no, not part of the PD), and, well, putting your flashers on not only doesn’t exempt you from parking rules, it also shows that you know you’re breaking them and consequently your chances of being let off with a warning go way down.

    And as for being in the car, that’s called standing, which is still prohibited in the middle of the street and at red curbs etc. Carbrain chuds like to get back with “but doesn’t that mean it’s illegal to stop for a red light”? Yeah genius, that’s one of the few instances where stopping in the street is allowed.

    • Tankiedesantski [he/him]
      ·
      6 months ago

      Idea for a struggle session: is it praxis to snitch on an illegally parked driver?

        • VILenin [he/him]
          ·
          6 months ago

          I mean, for anyone sufficiently rich, the fine is just a VIP parking fee. Doesn’t Jeff Bezos rack up 5 figures in parking tickets every year?

      • VILenin [he/him]
        ·
        6 months ago

        Well, uh, I’m not sure it’s possible to snitch on an illegally parked driver, cops won’t show up unless there’s a dog they can shoot. What are you gonna do, flag down a meter maid? They’re not stopping and leaving their assigned area for some guy that’ll be gone when they get there.

        You can always print fake parking tickets that link to a payment portal that funnels money directly to you. Seems to happen every few months!

        • Tankiedesantski [he/him]
          ·
          6 months ago

          Doesn't NYC have that app where you can take photos of people parked illegally and if they end up getting fined you get a cut of the fine?

          • VILenin [he/him]
            ·
            6 months ago

            three-heads-thinking Well I hadn’t heard of this before. But from what I hear NYC is where Uber/Lyft drivers have free reign to do whatever they want and everyone parks illegally all the time, especially the cops, so I’m not sure if the underpaid intern that’s reviewing all the photos will issue a violation.

            • Tankiedesantski [he/him]
              ·
              6 months ago

              So I was mixing up two things. There's an existing initiative where you can report idling trucks and busses (not cars) for air pollution violations and a bill going through (as of 2023) which would allow people to report cars and other vehicles for parking in a way that blocks cycle lanes, traffic, or footpaths.