Zoned out
Observed by lawandorder on Tue, Oct 09 2007
What a piece of work this guy was. As I approached him, he was idling in the bike lane, in the crosswalk and in front of a hydrant (not to mention that his exhaust smelled like his truck had zero chance of passing inspection). Why was this driver breaking at least 3 laws here? Because he was completely fixated on snagging the parking spot being vacated right around the corner on 1st ave.
So the driver then halfway turned through the now red light, and then stopped to let this holy, precious parking space ahead of him be vacated. This situated himself across 2 crosswalks at the same time (that's two more laws broken for those counting at home). This action blocks two grandparents pushing their grandchild in a stroller from crossing East 10th st, and then traps them between the truck and the curb (but not after he almost backs up into them), because there is no way that they can reach the curb cut, and are not physically able to push the stroller over the curb.
Meanwhile, the driver remained in another world as he rumbled into his parking spot, completely oblivious of what he had done.
[It does not surprise me that this driver has $575 in unpaid parking tickets.]
2 Comments
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Posted on Wed, Oct 10 2007 at 11:21 AM
Great vignette. This guy should have his parking space--we need to raise curbside meter rates to ~$5.00, then he'll be able to find one. The real root of the problem are the residents who insist on maintaining public parking at below market rates for their personal benefit. If necessary, buy the residents off with residential parking permits at a fair annual price (only registered + insured at a NYC address eligible), then raise the remaing curbside spaces high enough so that people who have to drive to a location to work, like contractors can be assured of getting convenient parking at a fair price.
The solution is so simple and obvious.
Posted on Wed, Oct 10 2007 at 11:56 AM
Thanks. I completely agree, Steve.