Ginny from the Blog

I have mad parallel parking skills. Seriously, I can fit in spots that seem to be just a sliver of an inch bigger than my car. Granted, I have a short VW Golf, but still. Parallel parking is my thing.

Still, when I read this story about the city of Raleigh’s new found love of writing tickets to drivers who can’t park their cars precisely 12 inches or less from the curb, it seriously annoys me. I mean, it makes sense that cars shouldn’t have their rear ends poking out onto Hargett Street. But the number of tickets written for this offense in 2009 is insane.

The News & Observer reports that:

“The number of $20 fines slapped on cars parked more than a foot from the curb has skyrocketed, from just 379 in 2008 to 4,587 in 2009.”

That translates into $91,000 in fines in 2009, up from $6,325 in 2008, the N&O reports.

OK. So you might be sitting there thinking: “What’s the big deal? Drivers need to learn how to park or get fined.”

Well, consider this.

First, the N&O reports that the 12-inch rule isn’t even listed anywhere on the city’s brochure or website about parking rules.

Next, the N&O reports that the biggest increase started after new white parking were painted on the road in August as part of the city’s preparations for parking meters.

“Motorists park in the newly marked spots thinking that they’re in compliance as long as the cars’ wheels are within the white lines,” according to the N&O.

I can see how the lines might be a little misleading to drivers (take a look at the photo above, which shows off the lines on Fayetteville Street). That said, I’ve definitely been in the car with friends who — after parallel parking downtown — ask me to open the passenger door and see if their close enough to the car.

So, what do you think? Is the city being unfair by intensely enforcing the rule? Or should people just get over it and park closer to the curb?

If you have a minute, it’s definitely worth reading the full N&O story on the issue. It outlines how Durham and Charlotte officials enforce the rule and talks a little bit about why the city has increased enforcement on this issue lately.

One of my coworkers admitted to me that he hasn’t been to the N.C. State Fair in 20+ years. I asked him why, and he pointed to the traffic and parking problems. There’s no doubt that busy fair days require a little bit of patience to get into the fairgrounds, but the promise of a ride down the world’s largest portable slide and giant turkey legs are worth the wait.

Traffic is iffy for the N.C. State Fair. Sometimes there’s very little backup, sometimes it can be slow going, and sometimes it seems like there’s no rhyme or reason to it.

But no matter what, it’s guaranteed to not even come close to sucking as bad as traffic at this month’s U2 concert. So don’t let traffic be an excuse for not going to the fair.

Here’s everything you need to know about getting to the fair:

IF YOU DRIVE: Parking is free on state-owned parking lots. The fair’s website warns that, unlike years past, cars parked on Wade Avenue and Edwards Mill Road will be towed. Neighboring residents often will charge to let you park in their yard, and fair organizers warn they have no control over this.

Road Closures: If the fair gets particularly busy, officers may close exits from Wade Avenue to Blue Ridge Road and from the inner beltline to Hillsborough Street to encourage traffic to go to Edwards Mill Road. This doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, but whatever. Just be aware of it if you’re going on a sunny Saturday (good weather + weekend usually = especially busy fair days).

Uh-Oh, Where Did I Park?: This is so awesome. If you’re leaving the fair with a belly full of deep fried Ho-Hos and chocolate covered bacon and you suddenly realize you’ve exited out the wrong gate, have no fear. A free tram will circle the fairgrounds and shuttle you to your parking lot. Details here.

TAKE THE BUS: The N.C. State Fair coordinates special bus routes and rates with local public transportation providers. This is the easiest,  no hassle way of getting to the fair. Bonus, if you take the bus, you get a $10 coupon Subway coupon book, and some bus routes even have express lanes so you can pass the suckers sitting in their cars.

Bus from Raleigh: For $4 adults can ride the CAT from downtown Raleigh or from a park-and-ride lot in north Raleigh. The bus will run these routes from early morning to midnight. Children under 40″ tall ride free with a paying adult. Details on the Raleigh route here.

Bus from Cary: Climb aboard the CAT at the WakeMed Soccer Park anytime from 8:30 a.m. to midnight. The same fares apply as the Raleigh route. Details on the Cary route here.

Bus rom Durham: A DATA bus will shuttle fairgoers from the new downtown Durham Station to the fair for a bargain $2 round-trip fare. Children are free, and some bus riders qualify for a $1 rate. Hours and details on the Durham route here.

Bus rom RTP and Chapel Hill: The Triangle Transit Authority will shuttle passengers from two stops on both Saturdays (Oct. 17 and 24) and Sundays (Oct. 18 and 25). The ride is $5 roundtrip, but free for kids 12 and under. Details on the Chapel Hill and RTP park-and-ride lots here.

TAKE THE TRAIN: Yep, the State Fair gets a special stop on Amtrak. There are more time limitations, but it only costs $5 to ride Amtrak from Durham, $11 from Greensboro and $25 from Charlotte. Carefully read details here before you book your ticket though.

Wishing you safe travels and a lot of deep fried goodness!

Yep. Twenty bucks to park your car at the U2 concert at Carter Finley Stadium. That’s the word from music blogger Jake Seaton, who also reports that no alcohol will be served or allowed at the Oct. 3 concert. For that price, I hope Bono is going to be parking the cars himself. Normally the nearby RBC Center charges $10 to park. But $20? Give me a break!