How to Avoid Parking Tickets

It’s a sad little fact that a lot of the folks at the TeachStreet office are given parking tickets from time to time since the Seattle Police Station is a couple blocks away from our office. I’ve already gotten several tickets, all defintiely attributed to my forgetfulness.  I’d like to think I’m learning from my mistakes, and I’m hoping that translates into some savings in my pocket.  Here are some things that I learned along the way.

HOW TO AVOID PARKING TICKETS:

  1. Take up walking as a new form of transportation
    We were given feet for a reason, so go out and use them.  If you have time, or if you’re close to your destination  just walk over rather than taking the gas guzzling car –  which definitely helps our environment. Knock two birds with one stone by ChiWalking lessons (5Focus) to work.
  2. Take up biking/cycling as a new form of transportation
    I’ve seen more and more bicyclist each morning while I drive to work, and it’s definitely a growing community both in Seattle and Portland.  There are so many resources out there to help you get started. I’d suggest you take a look at these bike maintenance classes or bicycling classes to help you get an idea.
  3. Learn to navigate through the city and take the bus
    Both Seattle and Portland have great mass transit options, as do most other major cities.  I suggest taking advantage of these options, and it’ll help you better navigate through the city. If you need a bit more help with navigation skills, there are some navigation classes out there too.
  4. Work on your time management skills
    More likely than not, the reason one gets a ticket is because they forgot about it, which is in my case, a lot of the times. I suggest you either set an alarm on your cell phone or an old fashioned sticky note. Or, take some  Time Management classes“!
  5. Prepare your negotiating or debating skills
    When you do get the parking ticket, you still have a chance to get out of it. You can appeal the ticket and battle it out in court, so remember to take pictures of your car and brush up on your debating or negotiating skills.

It’s definitely a work in progress for me.  Hopefully this was helpful, please comment below if you have any questions or suggestion.

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  • http://www.teachstreet.com Harold

    Good tips Joseph! Remind me to bug you every two hours to fill the meter.

  • Annie

    So comprehensive! LOVING this blog post! I support #2!

  • http://www.5focus.com Beth

    I vote for #1 – a more mindful, efficient way to go! :)

  • http://annoyingparkingticket.blogspot.com Katterine

    #6/ Get together and disband the governance that is issuing the parking tickets. This used to be in order to assure proper parking for everyone, and now it became just the easy and profitable way for the government to make money. How much of the parking ticket money goes toward providing more parking spaces for the people?? Zero?

    Shows you exactly what the purpose is. Enriching the government. Unconstitutional!

  • http://www.contestmyticket.com Contest Tickets Online

    There is an easy way to contest a parking ticket or violation online with http://www.contestmyticket.com For only $9.99 anyone can contest a ticket, print the letter on your own printer and mail it out. It works great, it only takes 5 minutes and beats paying $50-$100 for a parking ticket!

  • Marc

    Bloody Downtown Seattle has too many meters with Credit card only and no coin. i got a ticket but was with a Canadian rental. I think i am going to dodge as it isn’t a speeding ticket.

  • Thomas Jefferson

    If every American who disagrees with their parking ticket decides to just not pay them, can they really throw us all in jail? What if we just decide to stop paying our unconstitutional parking tickets? As long as we are doing no harm to others, every parking ticket is unconstitutional. It is our duty as patriots to stand up against whatever is unjust and against individual liberty.