Whew, I came really close to getting towed on Cherry street in DT Seattle the other day. I had a coffee meeting planned at 2:00, so I parked on Cherry, paid my money, put the sticker on my car, and noted that I had to leave the street at 3:00. Every once in a while I'll push my luck 5-10 minutes, thinking, "what are the odds?" Well, for whatever reason, I just had a bad feeling, so I left the meeting at 2:55 and headed to the car.

As I walk down the hill, I noticed a tow truck across the street from my car, and the driver is just watching my car like a hawk. As I get into my car I yell across the street (nicely), "Damn, you were ready to pounce!" The tow truck driver at first looked pissed, but after some back and forth banter he finally smiled and nodded.

I understand that rules are rules, but I sense this tow truck driver does this all the time - basically waits for 3:00 to hit, and then immediately pounces to tow your car away.

Be careful down there!

 

Unbelievable. Thanks for the head's up. I wouldn't ever think about this. A ticket, yes. But a tow?

 

Wow. Yeah I knew about a potential $25 dollar ticket, but a TOW?

 

FYI, the CITY contracts with them (tow operators) and they are REQUIRED to have a tow truck on standby. Yes the street NEEDS to be cleared by 3pm, so that the extra lane is open for outbound cars nearing rush hour leaving from the city.

Just ONE car still parked in the threw lane after 3Pm is a headache and can cause a LOT of backup for us that are trying to exit the City after work or other things...it is to increase traffic flow.

 

Downtown Chicago was like this too. They were quick and usually had a couple of tow trucks!

 

I have to say that I really do hate tow trucks but I also really hate it when folks park on these streets blocking extra traffic too. Kudos to you for leaving before then.

 

Yea, I understand that it frustrates folks that people are still parked on the street. I got out in time (I'm a law abiding citizen!), but I was just surprised at how quickly they move. If I came one minute late, my car would have been gone!