Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Senator Klein and Assemblyman Dinowitz help Pass Legislation Protecting Drivers from Predatory Parking Tickets


Tickets Issued While Drivers Are Walking to or from Muni-Meters Would Be Dismissed

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx) and State Senator Jeffrey Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) announced that the State Legislature has passed legislation (A.9353-C / S.6727-B) that would protect drivers from parking tickets issued while they are walking to a muni-meter to purchase a receipt, or back to their car to display it.  The bill would create an affirmative defense for any person being prosecuted for an alleged muni-meter parking violation when that person is able to produce a valid muni-meter receipt issued prior to or up to five minutes after the writing of a summons.

In recent years many municipalities across New York State have begun to replace conventional parking meters with new electronic parking meters, or muni-meters, that dispense timed receipts that must be displayed conspicuously on the vehicle’s dashboard.  While these new meters offer convenience by accepting credit and debit cards in addition to cash, they have also created a new problem for motorists.  In some locations drivers must walk an entire city block to find the nearest muni-meter station, opening a window when traffic agents can issue a summons before the motorist has a chance to purchase and display a valid receipt.  There have been numerous reported instances of such predatory ticketing practices by traffic agents and unfair convictions by administrative law judges.

This legislation will remedy this injustice by ensuring that motorists who have a valid muni-meter receipt purchased prior to or up to five minutes after the issuance of a summons are found “not guilty.”  The bill will soon be sent to the governor for his final approval.

“Today, we’re eliminating one giant pain-in-the-neck for everyday New Yorkers,” said Senator Klein.  “Since it takes longer to add time to their meter, people should be given a break when it comes to shuttling between their car and the kiosk.  This is piece of common sense legislation, and I’m glad that lawmakers up in Albany agree.”

“Muni-meters have become an irritant for many people throughout the city and state.  Not only must people walk down the block to feed the meter regardless of weather conditions, but they also must contend with traffic agents who issue summonses when one is walking to or from the muni-meter.  Making matters worse is the fact that certain Parking Violations Bureau hearing officers have found people guilty for summonses they received while they were actually purchasing their muni-meter receipts.  This bill will correct this egregious injustice by mandating that a parking summons received under these circumstances must be dismissed if the motorist produces the muni-meter receipt.  Fair is fair,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz.

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