Car parking fines, is this idea any good?

Make it a sticker that is applied to the windshield and is difficult to remove.

When they leave they have to pay for 2 spaces plus a service fee of $10.

I kind of like it. They have to pay on exit, or they can’t get out.

Unless you own the garage and can enforce it, its only a rant.
It is also a peeve of mine, but I prefer to focus my rant energy on other mindess things.

I love the idea of fining parking hogs. I am always tempted to leave a note on their windshield.

I’m for it, but only if the parking is over 50% full. If someone wants to take up two spaces and parks at the end of a lot, I don’t care. I also think there should be laws about how close together spaces can be. Maybe there are laws for that? Some spaces are much too tight, especially here in America where we live in SUV and big fat pick-up truck heaven in a lot of the country. Maybe give compact spaces to spaces closest to the stores and elevators in a garage? With the exception of handicapped spaces of course. And, larger spaces at the far end for people with large vehicles or fanatics about their cars.

I don’t think we need a law for it, but if private parking lots/garages want to start a rule for their lot and enforce it, that’s completely up to them. I do think they should offer the person the chance to pay for 2 spaces (if it’s a paid lot) before fining them though. I’d gladly pay for 2 spaces rather than squeeze into one tight spot.

I completely agree, I know many car parks in the area where if you do not park properly in the bays you receive a fine. @JLeslie but the car park may be only 50% full when you arrive but then fill up with cars while you are off shopping, therefore the car is taking up a space someone needs and you may not know at the time until you come back.
If you have the cash to buy a massive car like that you should have to pay for premuim parking spaces where spaces are larger.
I think if people don’t have the respect to park properly then they should be fined. You learn to park as part of passing your test (well you do in the UK at least) and if you can’t park its a sign that you wouldn’t be able to pass your test again! these big SUVs all have power steering and you have such great view that you can see everything. ok maybe there might be less maneuvering room but you have other things to help you park and alot of SUVs have better turning circles than my car with tiny wheels and no power steering.
A law may be too far but fining on an individual car park basis, I definitely agree with. Recently I have had people parking on my private car parking area to the side of my house, there are signs there and I have put other notices up but people still insist on parking there because in this area you generally need a residents permit to park on the street, (these are free to obtain but you have to register your lisence to the address). It really does my head in. I don’t know what to do sometimes. Its MY parking space, how can other people be selfish enough to park there. I cant just block them in because it would block access for other people to get to their spaces and I won’t do that. I seriously hate selfish parkers though!

@bongo Yes, that can happen, it depends on the parking lot. I agree my particular thoughts on that are unrealistic in many instances. That is why I think larger spaces in the less desireable part of the lot is the best solution.

Good idea? Yep, in fact I’d go further and say a fine + full day rate for both spots seems appropriate.

Many years ago I frequently parked at a lot downtown that was full after about 7 in the morning and in high demand until mid afternoon (around 2 or so). It was a fairly tight fit and people would constantly take up multiple spaces, double park, and squeeze or angle such that others couldn’t get in or out properly. It wasn’t pleasant but it was also less than a block from the site I was on at the time.
When the lot changed ownership they adjusted some of the spots to fit smaller and larger vehicles, posted a simple photo+tow+impound policy, and strictly enforced it. Didn’t even take a month before people started, parking where they fit, staying between the lines, and keeping the driving lanes clear. I’m not usually a fan of aggressive towing, but I wouldn’t complain if more places would do what they did.

@thebluewaffle I’m curious, would you also fine the people that are technically in their space (between the lines), but so badly parked (be it at an angle or almost on top of the line) that the space next to them would be almost impossible to use for other vehicles?

The idea is good but every parking lot has it’s own rules. They should just pay for 2 spaces they used. If you fly with a plane and you are really fat you are obliged to pay for 2 seats or the company won’t allow you to fly with them.

There is also the problem of the guy you fine was just squeezing into the only space left by parking hogs that got there earlier and forced him to park in the only space available.

If you are going to install this system there should be recourse for someone to address this, even if it is just to notify the attendant.

Good idea. Best way to straighten people out. Have money taken out of their pockets.

@JLeslie here in America where we live in SUV and big fat pick-up truck heaven
I love this description….especially the term “big fat pick-up truck heaven”. How big can they make em and do they have to be combination pick-up trucks and limos with multiple doors?

@plethora yes they do have stretch limo SUVs and pickups.

@plethora My biggest annoyance is how they put together roads here where I live. Every time I leave a shopping center or move through certain intersections I risk hitting the bottom of my sportscar. My car is not super low, but typical for a sportscar. I swear every person who designs or lays a road in the Memphis metro area must drive a pick up truck, and never has this worry. It is truly something I hate about living here. I feel it causes me to drive less safely, because when trying to cross traffic onto a main road I cannot get out fast from the side road or parking lot, gas station, even some driveways. I have to do it at an extreme angle. It’s awful.