Provides for service of parking tickets by mail; provides additional time to respond to a parking ticket so served.
Impact
The proposed changes are intended to alleviate some of the burdens placed on vehicle owners who might miss the standard response timeline for parking violations due to mail delays. By increasing the response time from the date of the alleged violation, it provides a more equitable opportunity for individuals to contest tickets and manage fines. Additionally, it clarifies the handling of photographic evidence related to parking violations, mandating that such images are reviewed and approved before citations are issued, which could improve the accuracy and legitimacy of parking enforcement practices.
Summary
Bill A02342 aims to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law in New York, specifically to facilitate the service of parking tickets by allowing notice to be sent via first-class mail. The bill stipulates that if an initial parking violation notice is mailed but not received timely, vehicle owners can submit a notarized statement claiming non-receipt, accompanied by payment of the original fine. This represents a significant change in how parking violations are processed and enforced within the state, as it adds more flexibility for vehicle owners to respond to allegations without facing immediate penalties.
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding Bill A02342 include concerns about the potential for increased administrative burden on municipal systems if mailed notices lead to higher volumes of inquiries and disputes regarding parking violations. Some opponents may argue that this could lead to confusion or disputes over the actual receipt of mail, complicating ticket enforcement processes. There is also a question of how effectively such changes would impact overall parking management and compliance within urban areas, where parking enforcement is often a contentious issue.
Requires the department of criminal justice services to monitor desk appearance tickets and report on the rate which principals appear in court on such tickets.
Increases the total dollar amount of outstanding parking tickets required to trigger vehicle removal and impoundment in New York city to $550 and deems the owner a scofflaw.