The Fixer: Deciphering Carlaw Ave. parking signs is an exercise in confusion
When parking signs look like they are meant to cause confusion, drivers wonder if the end game is to pump up parking ticket revenue.
In our Aug. 7 column about contradictory parking signs, we asked readers to let us know about other signs that amount to ticket traps, which yielded several candidates.
But a photo from Norm Guilfoyle of parking signs on a pole on the east side of Carlaw Ave., just north of Danforth Ave., takes the prize for an example of signs that seem to intentionally cause confusion.
One sign specifies three periods between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, when parking is allowed on the south side of the pole for no more than 15 minutes, “except public holidays.â€
A sign next to it says parking is prohibited during the three periods between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. that are not included on the first sign, as well as any time on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.
A third sign prohibits parking on the north side of the pole from Dec. 1 to Mar. 31, and from the 16th to the end of each month from Apr. 1 to Nov. 30.
Got it?
It may be simple for MENSA types or PhDs, but a lot of us could be left mumbling and scratching our heads.
In a note that accompanied the photo, Guilfoyle told us how he was trapped by misinterpreting the signs.
“Question: It is Saturday evening. Can I park here?†he asked.
“Answer: $40 fine. Cop says, ‘Can’t you read?’â€
We looked closely at the signs while considering his question, and couldn’t argue with what the cop said.
For us, the apparent contradiction over parking on public holidays is the real problem; the first seems to imply the restrictions don’t apply on holidays, while the second says parking isn’t allowed.
STATUS: Danny Budimirovic, a traffic engineer with transportation services, said he doesn’t see any contradiction between the two signs on holiday parking. The first says parking is allowed “except public holidays,†which he says is in line with the prohibition on any parking on public holidays. But shouldn’t the first say “no parking on public holidays,†to avoid any possible confusion? “Then you’re into too much information, which can also be confusing,†said Budimirovic. We disagree, but the bottom line is that the signs will not be changed, he said.
