Signs and curbs are straightforward and easy to understand, right? Not always.
And, the 1,932,416 parking citations issued last year confirm it. Have you ever gotten a ticket and felt that it was unwarranted, but after carefully reading (then re- reading) the wording on the sign or curb, you finally realized that you were indeed in the wrong?
Let’s take a look at just how many restricted curbs are out there and break down what they mean shall we?
How many restrictive curbs are there in SF?
Put these curbs in order from most to least.
A) Green Zones
B) Blue Zones
C) White Zones
D) Yellow Zones
E) Taxi Zones
Answer:
DCBAE
1) 3992 Yellow Zones
2) 1614 White Zones
3) 556 Blue Zones
4) 367 Green Zones
5) 58 Taxi Zones
Let’s take a look at our winner shall we…
YELLOW ZONES
Truck Loading Zones
There were 48,888 yellow zone violations handed out last year. These zones were created for delivery vehicles to load and unload their goods. The times that any particular loading zone is in effect is written on the curb, meter, and/or nearby sign.
If you’ve ever had a delivery job, or have been stuck in traffic because a truck is double parked on a busy street, then you probably understand the importance of yellow curbs. It’s really very simple…but made unnecessarily difficult by DPT. The simple part is that you just need to read the words painted on the curb, or on the sign below the meter.
However, SFMTA has placed most of these signs at an angle that makes it nearly impossible to read from your car.
Okay, that’s how not to get a ticket. Here’s how you can use the rules and laws to your advantage.
Most people are just cruising by empty yellow zone parking spots, assuming that they are in effect until 6 p.m. Usually, these zones are in effect from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. However, there are times and places where yellow zones become golden zones.
Local
On some streets, such as Steuart, the loading zone meters are only in effect until 11 a.m. when they become available for general parking. It’s amazing to watch people cruising right past them and opting to pay $12 for valet parking or $15 for a garage instead. I think it’s because of the assumption that loading zones are only from 9a.m. to 6 p.m. Just another little way where you can use inside info to your advantage.
For more insider info, and to find other parking spots and secrets, go to www.findingthesweetspot.com
