Starting tomorrow New York City motorists will have an extra five minutes before finding a parking ticket on their cars.
Controversial legislation took effect today that grants motorists an additional five minutes before getting a ticket for an expired Muni-Meter. The law also provides an extra five minutes after posted times on parking signs before a ticket can be written.
The bill was passed overwhelmingly by the City Council last year, but vetoed by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. In December the 51 member Council overrode the veto by 49 votes.
But the Council maintained that tickets issued in the first five minutes are "gotcha tickets" and purely about revenue not about penalizing violators.
"Issuing New Yorkers a parking violation just two or three minutes past the time when alternate side parking goes into effect or a muni-meter stub runs out is simply unfair," said Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn. "These parking rules are not in place for the purpose of generating revenue. They are in place to promote compliance and that is why creating a five minute grace period for drivers to move their vehicles is a fair and appropriate action to take."
Motorists we spoked to agreed.
"They're like vultures," said Jim Harrison of Long Island City. "You pull up for 30 seconds and they sneak up and slap a ticket on your car. It's ridiculous."
The law officialy wentt into effect today, but most of the regulations it impacts are not in effect on Sundays.
While the law officially went into effect today, most impacted re
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