Stopped in Red Zone for 3 minutes (did not get out of car) = $70 ticket

[bartimusb2]

What is the name of your state? California

Hi - I stopped in a Red Zone near the driveway of a busy gas station because I was lost and wanted to safely check an address on my GPS. So I stop for about 3 minutes, figure out where I'm going and drive away. I didn't even open my door.

1 month later I get a notice of a "Delinquent Parking Ticket" for which I owe $70. I did stop in the red for 3 minutes, but does this constitute a "Red Zone" violation (MC 80.56)?

Wouldn't the traffic cop have to at least put the ticket on my windshield. Obviously a parking cop knew I was in my car or they would have come up to my car to get the VIN and put a ticket on my windshield.

Do I have to pay this or can I contest it?

[GulfBreeze]

Red Zones: No stopping, standing, or parking. (A bus may stop at a red zone marked for buses.)

Apparently, you were "stopped" in a red zone. Why would you stop in a red zone. Wasn't there anywhere else you could have stopped to read your GPS?

[moburkes]

Agreed. The reason for the stop doesn't make the ticket any less valid. No, the officer doesn't have to put it on your windshield. He could have also put it in your hand.

[Zigner]

See, the problem is that you took off before the officer had the opportunity to put the ticket on your car. He doesn't need the VIN to write a ticket and you should make sure to check your mail more carefully in the future.

[bartimusb2]

Thanks for your replies.

The reason I stopped in the red was because I was in a rush and was lost and there was no other parking that I could see in the vicinity. Also, I was just trying to be nice to the owner of the crowded gas station and not pull in front of one of his pumps when I had no plans to get gas.

I live in Los Angeles where parking can be a nightmare and parking cops are ruthless. I NEVER park in the red (and now I know not to STOP in the red) and I ALWAYS put money in the meter and check the street signs for street sweeping times. You have to be vigilant parking in LA otherwise you will get taxed with many parking tickets. But I did not expect to get "sniped" by a traffic cop who was probably on his lunch break and happened to see an easy ticket to fill up his quota for the month.

Next time I know not to be nice to my own detriment. I will never stop, park or stand in a red zone again.

But I still may try to contest the citation just to see what the administrative reviewer says.

Thanks! Great site and advice.

[moburkes]

Gas stations have parking available besides at the pumps.

[bartimusb2]

Originally Posted by moburkes

Gas stations have parking available besides at the pumps.

Moburkes: I was trying to be nice in my previous response post. You are a senior member with many thousands of posts. I appreciate your replies and advice, however when you make a statement like, "Gas stations have parking available besides at the pumps," you are making yourself look foolishly high and mighty.

You are questioning my judgement and decisions as if you were actually there when I parked in the red. Since you were not there, I suggest you get off your high horse for a second.

I'm also assuming you've never been to Los Angeles or at least never driven around LA for more than a weekend. Driving here is a little different than in Ohio. I spent some time in Cleveland a month ago. Believe me. We are worlds apart.

Maybe in your fantasy world, you would like this kind of reply to your,"Gas stations have parking available besides at the pumps," statement:

"Ohhhhhhh, yeah. You are soo right, Moburkes. Golly gee. Why didn't I think of that? You are so smart. Next time I am driving around and I'm not sure what to do, I'll email you and ask you what you think. How could I have ever gotten around without your profound and insightful ideas."

I know you probably don't see this a lot in Ohio, but with all the cars lined up in the street to pull into the gas station during the lunch rush hour, I couldn't pull in to the gas station, let alone park there. And, to reply directly to your statement, there wasn't any room to park anywhere (pump or non-pump). I'm sure you get extreme pleasure pointing out the ridiculously obvious to people when you have no idea what the actual circumstances are. You da man, moburkes!

So, yes, I was in a rush and the easiest thing to do was pull into a red zone that was right next to the driveway of the very crowded gas station. It wasn't the smartest decision, obviously, but it doesn't deserve your desk-jockey comments.

Thanks for taking so much time out of your very busy schedule to post 12,000+ times on a free advice site. You are a real champ. Keep up the good work.

[moburkes]

So, you said all that to tell me that I've never spent more than a weekend in LA?

If so, you'd be wrong.

[seniorjudge]

Originally Posted by moburkes

Gas stations have parking available besides at the pumps.

Excellent advice.

And accurate too!

[Zigner]

Originally Posted by moburkes

Gas stations have parking available besides at the pumps.

I will also agree with this. And, check this out! I drive through Los Angeles EVERY DAY! And, to top it off, I just got back from driving through L.A. at 1 pm and, although gas stations may be crowded, it's not difficult at all to find a place to stop that doesn't have a red curb. Sure, maybe I can't stop right this second...but you can always legally stop within a minute or so.

[GulfBreeze]

Originally Posted by bartimusb2

So, yes, I was in a rush and the easiest thing to do was pull into a red zone that was right next to the driveway of the very crowded gas station. It wasn't the smartest decision, obviously, but it doesn't deserve your desk-jockey comments.

In a rush...you spent 3 minutes in a red zone...how much of a hurry were you in? maybe you should learn to read it better or faster and try not coming to a stop in front of a red zone next time.....

[>Charlotte<]

Originally Posted by bartimusb2

Blah, blah, blah, blah.....

You want Moburkes to get off her high horse??

All she said was "gas stations have parking available besides at the pumps." To back up your half-assed justification for parking in the red zone you complained that you couldn't park at the gas station. Moburkes pointed out why that will likely be a poor excuse. So then you have the nerve to go off on a snotty tangent? Defensive much?

And as for her post count, that happens to represent a long time coming here to offer people the benefit of her knowledge and experience, some of whom actually appreciate it. Every once in a blue moon someone says "thanks." You sure didn't mind anybody's post count when you came here to get a little piece of that free advice, did you?

Here's your answer whether you like it or not: you can't park or stop in a red zone. You did. You got a ticket. Pay it.

Oh--and you're welcome.