WASHINGTON D.C. – Those digging their cars out of the snow in the East Coast this week might find a unwelcomed surprise.
According to NBC Washington, since the blizzard began last Friday, the District has issued $1,078,000 worth of parking tickets and $65,600 in fines so far. It has towed 656 cars.
The District says until the snow emergency expires, it will continue to ticket and tow cars parked or abandoned on any of the snow emergency routes.
Vehicles are being towed at the owners' expense. Violators face $250 tickets, $100 tow charges and a $25-per-day fee until they pick up their vehicles.
"Don't park your car illegally, and that includes parking it kind of in the middle of the street next to the snow bank," D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said Tuesday. Cars should be parked no more than 12 inches from a curb, not a snow bank, or drivers risk a ticket, she said.
One the issues with the system is that several people were forced to leave their cars when the flakes began heavily fall.
"They gave me a $250 ticket just for being snowed in. I couldn't get no help," driver Danielle Smith said.
