Washington DC parking ticket
 

Received a parking ticket recently for parking in a rush hour zone and I only looked at the parking meter and not the sign. I'm certainly guilty however I reside in a non-neighboring state and the enforcement officer incorrectly identified my car make (a Ford vs. Hyundai). I know I should pay it but would prefer not so the question is I am in the clear because of the mistake on the make of the car? And if so would the District likely track me down if I'm in a distant state. Thanks.

Everyone would always prefer not to pay a ticket--LOL! You know that you earned the ticket--pay it.

If the officer correctly identified your license plate, then they've got you. If you refuse to accept responsibility for your actions, then DC can send the bill to a collection agency, which will have no problem tracking you down once knowing your license plate. Do you REALLY want that on your credit report? -- its presence will cost you a LOT more than the cost of the ticket!

To summarize: you are going to pay. The only issue is whether you pay now or pay later with added penalties and interest plus a major hit to your credit rating. Your choice.

<i>...I'm certainly guilty...I know I should pay it...</i>

You should only pay this if you are the kind of person who does the right thing when no one is looking.

PAY IT! The District NEEDS the money so it can continue providing high-speed police escorts into the city for losers like Charlie Sheen on his way to a stage show featuring illustrations of mental illness.

The one thing (maybe the only thing) that the DC government is good at is ticketing cars and collecting fines. Pay it.

Yup -- pay it! DC needs the $$ and is merciless when it comes to parking tickets.

Having to live in this area, I cannot tell you how much I hate tourists who drive in this city to begin with, but the ones blocking entire lanes during rush hour are the absolute worst. It is really irritating because they just don't care what they are doing, you'd have to be an idiot to do such a thing, not care, and not read the obvious signs about it which are everywhere (not to mention just common decency).

I got a parking ticket in New York City (Queens) last summer in a rental car. I typically don't rent a car in NY but needed one this time due attending a wedding on Long Island. The no parking sign was confusing as the rules changed at midnight, meaning the coming midnight not the one that had just passed, duh.

I thought about not paying for about one minute, it was a rental car, I live in a distant state, the odds of me driving in New York are slim, etc, etc.

But I paid as soon as we got home and don't regret doing that.

Not paying a ticket incurred on a rental car just means you'll find a charge on your credit card a few months later in the amount of the fine + the late fee + the rental company's service fee. No brainer. (But then I always pay the tickets on my own car, too, unless I have photos of the parking sign or other documentation sufficient to win at Parking Court).

Wow, Christina, tell us what you really think!

I think you are being pretty harsh about tourists driving in D.C. I live in a nearby D.C. suburb and drive in D.C. on a regular basis. I know that it's not the easiest city to drive in, so I try to give those with out-of-state license plates a bit of leeway and and the benefit of the doubt. I'm sure they are stressed out by driving in D.C. and they don't need rude D.C. drivers honking at them or riding their bumpers.

Also, the signs in D.C., particularly the parking signs, are not at all easy to understand and even we locals get a parking ticket or two because we can't always understand when it's legal to park and when it's not.

Signs in DC r the worst! recently we and friends, also long time DC residents both got parking tickets due to confusing signs, and yes, let's be a little more tolerant of the visitors to our city.

Agree with everyone that yes you should pay. Sorry that you were ticketed during your visit ... but it could have been much worse. Parking in a rush hour restricted zone can lead to being towed. So pay and be happy you are getting away (relatively) cheap.
(PS I got out of a ticket in Alexandria when the adjudicator agreed with me that the license plate had been written down wrong. It took five minutes. When that happened in DC I didn't even think about protesting. Life is too short. I just paid.)

They will track you down, and then you'll owe even more on a ticket you already don't want to pay. Just pay it.

With today's technology, I would not be suprised that states share information. In Michigan, cities are already doing this. It comes up when you go to renew your license plate.

>I cannot tell you how much I hate tourists who drive in this city<

I'm glad I use Metro when I go to DC!

DC, like so many popular cities, gets absolutely overrun with tourists. Most locals have learned patience, most help with maps and farecard machines and directions, but as a former local who was always helpful, I can tell you that it does get old at times :-) I don't blame anyone for venting a bit.

I feel the same way about flatlanders driving in the snow, NewbE......... :)

Just remember, venting DCites, you're the clueless tourist as soon as you leave town.