DRIVERS have been graced with a new law that could help them dodge pesky parking tickets.
To avoid a $36 fine, drivers now have a 15-minute grace period to move their vehicles but only some will get the warning alert.
GettyMiami Beach residents will receive a 15-minute warning before their vehicle gets towed[/caption] GettyAfter the 15-minute grace period, drivers will face a $36 fine[/caption]Miami Beach residents will be notified with a built-in text message system that gives drivers 15 minutes to move their vehicle before it gets towed, as reported by Miami Today.
After debating the new system, officials decided to move forward with the plan.
“I’m proud to be bringing forward this common-sense solution that ensures that our parking enforcement policies are fair, they’re transparent and ultimately compliance-driven while reducing unnecessary financial burdens on our residents,” said Commissioner Alex Fernandez in last week’s meeting.
“The proposal that I’m bringing today, that I’ve called on social media as a text before total notification, it will give residents a 15-minute grace period to correct a parking violation before their car is towed, except, obviously, in a life safety situation.”
Only Miami Beach residents will be able to enroll in the program.
Those who generally reside in Miami or are tourists won’t be able to participate.
With the new system, drivers parked illegally in residential or unpermitted zones will be notified before their vehicle is towed.
There are exceptions to this rule — drivers parked in a fire lane, a disabled parking space, or a freight loading zone won’t receive a text.
Drivers who violate these parking rules could be subject to immediate towing.
The commissioner said over 2,000 Miami Beach residents had their car towed and weren’t able to get the fine disputed.
While officials are not trying to eliminate towing, they believe that this system gives Miami Beach residents a chance to correct violations without such an expensive penalty.
“It’s an opportunity to inform and engage our residents before their car is towed by simply sending a text message providing a 15-minute grace period,” he said.
“We can potentially achieve compliance faster than having to wait for a tow truck, while saving residents from unnecessary costs and inconvenience.”
Drivers who want to participate in the program must be Miami Beach residents who have signed up for the city’s resident parking discount program.
What to do if your car is towed
Wrongfully or not, retrieving a towed vehicle can be a hassle.
If your vehicle is towed after parking in a “No Parking” zone or other legitimate reason, there are a few steps to take to get it back.
Steps to take when your car is towed:
Try to figure out why your car was towed. Did you not see a posted “No Parking” sign? Did you miss a car payment? Did you return to a lot where you have unpaid citations? Finding the reason can narrow down the phone numbers to dial. Locate the vehicle. Most states, cities, or counties require towing companies to leave some form of contact information via a posted sign or sent by mail. Recovery dates and times depend on the company that towed the vehicle, but those times will be posted to the website or can be recited by a representative. Pay the fees. Be careful to be as prompt as possible, as some tow yards may charge storage fees by the day.If you feel your vehicle was wrongfully towed, contesting the action can be done with the following steps:
Be prompt – many states have a small window of time where it’s acceptable to file a complaint against a company that wrongfully towed the vehicle. Gather supporting documents: photos, emails, receipts, police reports, and witness statements if applicable. The more evidence, the better. Get familiar with your local laws, as laws for towing companies vary per state. Try speaking with the towing company. Sometimes it may have been a simple oversight, and the matter can be resolved quickly. Contact the Justice of the Peace in your area, as they may have more insight or resources to help. They are often utilized for towing cases. Talk to a lawyer. Many lawyers have free case consultations, and depending on the case, it may be worth it to utilize a lawyer.Source: Oregon Department of Justice, National General, Rak Law Firm
Currently, the city estimates that roughly 20,000 residents have enrolled in the parking program.
However, only 16,000 of the 20,000 have listed a phone number that will be used to send the mobile alerts.
Miami Beach Transportation Director Jose Gonzalez said more Miami Beach residents need to be enrolled for the program to be effective.
Officials are now conducting “extensive community outreach” to get residents curious about the parking program.
“Public Safety concerns remain our top priority,” said Fernandez.
“But for non-life safety violations – for example, you parked at a valet ramp, or you went into an area that has a residential zone that starts at a certain time and you didn’t realize it or you parked in the wrong zone – you’re usually within a close distance to your car. So, this resident-first approach, it fosters communication, but it fosters compliance.”
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