Parking meters are hands down the most annoying things to me, especially the ones on UMBC’s campus. I’m not even going to get into the people that enforce these meters cause they just suck too. Anyways, these parking meters or better known as “ Money pits on sticks,” have been around since 1935 and probably have been annoying other people like me since then too.
“The world's first installed parking meter was in Oklahoma City, on July 16, 1935. Mr. Magee had been appointed to the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce traffic committee, and was assigned the task of solving the parking problems in downtown Oklahoma City “ (Luttrell). It was said that the meters were installed because people who worked in the city were parking on the road all day long and there wasn’t enough spots for shoppers…very upsetting.
“So this guys solution was to install parking meters, charge people for the use of the parking spaces, and turn over those spaces that would otherwise have been filled by all day parkers. In addition, the parking meters would generate revenue for a growing city. It must have worked, as the idea of metered parking eventually caught on worldwide. From that early beginning, the use of parking meters by municipalities, colleges and universities, and private parking facilities has increased to the point that today, in the United States alone, there are an estimated five million parking meters in use” (Luttrell).
Ok, so there is the annoying history of the parking meters, which I have a problem with. First, who the heck has the right to tell someone how long they are allowed to use a parking spot for. They found the spot and they should be able to use that spot for as long as they have to. And second, this guy who invented this cannot say that he has never pulled into a spot and gone some where thinking he would only be there for a short time and then get caught up and end up spending more time where ever he was.
So, I understand that the government is trying to make money wherever they can because they are annoying like that too. But, the fact that they almost now have the power to limit the amount of time we are able to spend in a place is just ridiculous to me. And furthermore adding to my frustration, lets just say that I have to be on campus for two hours, but I pull up to a spot and only have six quarters, which on this campus only gives us an hour and a half, I now have to leave class early or face a twenty dollar ticket. So, does this school really have my best interests in mind? Do they want me to get an education or do they want me to go broke?
Side note:
I understand that there is parking in lot 17 or if you are lucky enough to find a spot on the loop that yes I could park there but when you have been at practice for three plus hours and your body is killing you, I would just like a short walk to class rather than a hike. Thanks for reading about my huge problem I have with the parking meters.
8 comments:
Good work. Your have a unique voice to your writing and I could teel you hate parking meters. Good job on the history of the meters too, I would never have thought Oklahoma City had the first meter, I would have assumed it was NY, LA, or Chicago.
I have never heard that term before- "money pits on sticks." The reader can tell that this is definitely an object that you hate- you have great tone. Watch your grammar though.
Ali, I loved it! You have a great writting voice and while reading I could feel your bitterness. I also didn't know that they first went into use in OK City, I feel like that would be the last place you'd find the first parking metter. Oh, also, "money pits on sticks" is great! Where did you find that?
Boy, I couldn't agree more! I hate parking meters! They are so annoying. Like I don't already spend enough money in so many other places. It was interesting to hear the history. Oklahoma City, who would have thought?
Along with the other commenters, I thought your research into the history of parking meters to be quite interesting. I liked your argument about parking closer to the campus after practice; sometimes, convenience outweighs the guarantee of not having to worry about your parking time.
This is a great object to write about! The parking meters are a pain in the butt and are pointless. I do agree though with the point you made about how it generates money for a growing city or area that decides to use the meters, but it should be allowed to tell you how long you can park somewhere. You need the spot, you use it point blank. The parking meters just make it more difficult for people to park. I like this blog alot!
I hate those damn meters! And the meter maids are just so smug about their job it makes me so angry that I use money to park somewhere and then I get a damn ticket on top of that because I was ten minutes late getting back to the spot. I find it totally ludicrous that this happens. These “maids” seem more like hyenas waiting to scrap up some innocent soul’s unfortunate tardiness for reasons that one might grow hungry and feel the need to fulfill that hunger with nourishment which makes someone late getting back to the car in time to not receive a ticket. Hey $5.75 for the sub and a $20 handling fee.
Very interesting. If everyone hates parking meters so much, how did they ever spread so rapidly? Is there some hidden good in terms of a lot of income or increased motivation to carpool or use public transit? You'd have to think that the benefits would have to be pretty big to outweigh such hate.
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