Stout, Stout, Get it Worked Out!
'Kick a Ginger Day' Spawned At Least 5 Attacks on Redheaded Kids
Cool, Crafy, Community Event: Unique LA's Holiday Show
Intrepid L.A. Foodies Tackle 11-in-11 Nocturnal Challenge
Map of the Day: Outdoor Skating Rinks in Los Angeles
After last week's back and forth on fighting parking tickets and whether or not parking at a FAILED meter will warrant a ticket or not, we decided to call the Department of Transportation (DOT). However, DOT has taught us in the past that when you call as "press," they freak out, send you in loops and you might get a call back or you might not. So this time, we just called the city as a regular person and got an answer faster than ever.
So here's what we found out when speaking to a traffic officer. We asked if it was illegal and she said no, but it is "like taking a chance." They will not write a ticket at a FAILED meter (there is no municipal code for this), but if the meter resets, in essence fixing itself, it is going to display 0:00 on the clock and now you are breaking the law (88.13(a) METERS - FAILURE TO DEPOSIT COIN or 88.13(b) OVERTIME USE OF METER SPACE.).
So there you have it. For the complete listing of parking violations, don't go to the FAILED city website because if they have it, you're not going to find it. Rather, LA City Nerd posted all of them last month.
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
If you park at a FAILED meter and call it in (Department Of Transportation Meter Hot Line.
(877)215-3958),give the location code and meter number located on the meter head and it should be recorded and if the meter resets you should be able to contest the ticket.
Hey you can even repot a broken meter online:
wmq.etimspayments.com/pbw/include/la/complaintform.jsp?complainttype=2
I park at failed meters quite a bit and I have only ever had one reset itself, and I contested the ticket and had the ticket reversed. I've had more actually repaired by a person while parked at it (@ 3). In that case they are have always put the maximum time on the meter. And I have received a ticket for parking at a FAILED meter for longer than the posted limit when I stayed at a 2 hour meter all day. But now if I am at a failed meter I usuually check for chalk marks on my tires to see if they are keeping track of the car.. and a least move it once during the day.
And a side note.. there is no need to put a bag or a note on a failed meter... the meter screen flashes so it is visible for anybody passing (i.e., meter maid)
And they love to be called meter maids!!
What about loading only spaces? I've heard funky rules about those.
My understanding is that loading zones are "free" outside of business hours which are Mon-Sat from 8am to 6pm. I'm saying this from memory after having gotten a ticket on a Saturday...But they are the best kept secrets in parking. I have scored great parking many an evening and Sunday. Good luck!