Parking Meters are big business today.
Years ago, drivers simply plopped their quarters into the slot - roughly calculated what to pay - then trundled on down the street.
It was a common site to witness a business man excusing himself from an interview to hastily run outside to plug some coins into the slot before the meter maid careened outside to a screeching stop.
Yes, many of us had to rely on the honesty of the Sheriff, if we wanted to avoid a ticket.
I witnessed an amusing scene one day when I went into a courtroom to contest a downed sign in Malibu.
When an elderly man's name was called out by the Bailiff, he shuffled up to the podium.
By his posture, it was quite evident that he was ready to do battle with the Judge.
When he barked out that the meter had 3 minutes on it, the Judge surprised everyone with her sympathetic response.
"Sir, if you came all the way down here and say there were three minutes left on the meter, I believe you. Case dismissed."
Everyone in the courtroom was ecstatic.
Maybe the rest of us would luck out, too.
In the old days, a driver could cruise around the neighbourhood looking for a meter that had not expired, scoot right into the spot, and save a few pennies.
Not nowadays!
In recent years, City Officials have introduced a new-fangled meter that has the capacity to issue tickets for the whole block. So, instead of a number of unsightly meters blotting the landscape, there is just one aesthetically-pleasing meter with a computer that prints a ticket according to the time-frame specified.
Unfortunately, this means there are no more free rides.
Also, the ticketing process is a whole lot more efficient.
Citizens can no longer play fast and loose and hope that the Meter Maid may be on lunch break.
In fact, I understand that the nifty little machine emits a signal that indicates when the time has expired. Chances are, parkers will only have a precious second or two to dawdle with, before the parking attendant dashes up with ticket book in hand.
West Hollywood and Beverly Hills recently unveiled a new meter known as FlexPay.
The state-of-the-art meters incorporate cutting-edge technology that provide convenient solutions such as ease of payment with a credit card. The system uses the same encryption technology that is used by banks and other financial institutions.
And, the meters are solar-powered.
What will they think of next?
Parking signs that transmit their restrictions telephathically to the driver?
If you want to avoid all this money-grubbing business, take the bus!
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