Parking ticket in Puerto Rico airport

[odedia]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Puerto Rico

I got a parking ticket in Puerto Rico international airport. I parked at the pick-up zone. I crossed the road to help my friend who arrived with two suitcases. I was literally 10-15 meters away from the car for about 2-3 minutes, nothing more. It feels like the officer was just waiting for me, otherwise I can't explain how he gave me the ticket so quickly.

When i tried to explain to him that I was right next to the car, he pointed me to the sign saying that the car should not be left alone. The sign was in Spanish, which I do not speak.

I am in Puerto Rico as a tourist, and the car is an Avis rental car.

I understand that if I do not pay for the ticket, Avis will pay for it and charge my credit card, is that correct?

Is there a way to email the authorities asking to waive the ticket due to the circumstances?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[FlyingRon]

You'd have gotten a ticket at most metro US airports as well. As a matter of fact at the DC Area airports there's a tow truck ready to snatch your car away if you get out and leave it.

...and yes your agreement does authorize them to just pay the tickets, so fighting it (which you won't do by email) isn't really an option.

 

[HighwayMan]

Even if you could "email the authorities" the is no reason for them to overlook this. Using the "I am a tourist and didn't know" isn't much of an excuse at an international airport where there are alot of tourists!

Also, if you plan on driving in an area where a foreign (to you) language is spoken you should plan on learning a little of that language before you go, at least as it relates to the common traffic and street signs. We don't use that as an excuse for parking illegally in NYC, so I suspect it doesn't fly anywhere else.