Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Parking Space Hogs

There was a great tip on NPR's Talk of the Nation this afternoon. A listener had written in to suggest a way to get the point across to those "special" people who feel entitled to park their cars across 2-3 parking spaces in crowded parking lots.

His idea? He leaves a note under the windshield that reads, "Sorry about the scratch." He thinks they'll go nuts trying to find the scratch.

Should commercial office buildings or shopping centers take action against those "special" drivers? They probably won't; they won't want to make them mad. Well, what about the rest of us?

Who was that guy in Texas with the bumper stickers, "I'm mad, too, Eddie." Remember him? Eddie Chiles (1910-1993) was a radio commentator and also owned the Texas Rangers, until he sold the team to a group of investors that included George W. Bush.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Stop bitching about everything. I'm glad these "special drivers" are taking up more spaces. It will make your lazy ass have to walk an even farther distance to the food place you are going to. Shut up and find an empty lot. im sure there is no lot that is completely full.

Anonymous said...

I'm sick and tired of the individuals who own huge pick up trucks and suv's and don't park properly within the white lines. This happens ALL the time on the square and in the surrounding parking lots. They pull into a spot not checking the distance between them and the other cars on either side. There has been several times when I literally could not open my driver door wide enough to get into my car because some inconsiderate driver wasn't being respectful of others. I understand when there has been a snow storm and the lines are not visible. That's an issue for every driver regardless of what vehicle they own. The Public House and the Chamber has owners of these big pick up trucks too!

Gus said...

annoyed, thanks for your comment. Parking of these over-size vehicles in the angular spaces on Main Street presents safety problems of several types. Line-of-sight is the first problem. Other drivers just cannot see around these vehicles when backing out. A bigger problem is when these over-size vehicles partially block Main Street. If there were an emergency and fire trucks or paramedics could not pass by, then the public safety is at increased risk. I have on occasion called Woodstock Fire/Rescue to notify them of a lane restriction on Main Street that would block a fire truck, with the hope that a shift captain would drive up Main Street and check the problem. I suspect there is a state law that requires a driver to park his vehicle within a marked parking space. Perhaps someone with knowledge of the statute number could post it here.

Anonymous said...

Why don't you just make something up Gus? How about a city ordinance that will only allow horse and carriage on the square? Print up your own citizens arrest ticket book. I am sure a lot of people would like to be notified by you that they are being boorish. Be sure and put your address on the tickets so we can properly show our appreciation.