MadMike's Blog

Last night, while driving through the District, I happened upon a guy, flagging cars to park in UN-marked space on 19th street. The parking wasn't for business purposes, and this guy wasn't a valet for any service either. Don't be fooled by people such as this. What they do is "help" you park your car, but for a "fee". If you don't pay them, they'll get someone to mark up your car. I've seen this happen before, but it's been some time since the last occurence (sp). People, park only in marked spaces, pay the meter if you have to, and never hand over your keys to anyone not associated with the establishment in which you intend to use, unless you hate your car and never want to see it again. Also, beware of the window washer that comes out of nowhere to clean your windows at the stoplight. They cause more harm than good.

DPW (Dept.of Public Works) in DC needs to do a better job of meter upkeep. Just today, while in Georgetown, the meter I tried to use took my money. Twenty-five cents is way better than a 25 dollar ticket for meter violation though. My biggest beef with the parking situation in DC is that, while parking is at a premium, now in G-town near the river, spaces have been plowed over to make a PARK ( and not for cars, which took away spaces for hundreds of users). What do they use the revenue from the meters for? Surely not for road maintenance, as most major roadways in DC are in a dire condition. Then to top it all off, meter readers ticket vehicles for violations, of which I'm sure, they don't have complete knowledge of. I do get a kick out of watching the people that empty the meters, as it tickles me to no end when they don't get much change since most of the meters are broken or jammed. Poetic justice!

Just how many points DO bus drivers get for hitting a pedestrian? Just what the Hell is going on here? Are these drivers LICENSED? If the Washington Metro area transportation system is the way to go, I'd rather sit in rush hour traffic in my car. ( Can't walk, the crosswalks are bulls-eyes! ) If the public's safety isn't a priority, ground the fleet. At least then, the pedestrian might have a fighting chance to make it across the intersection. Toughen safety regulations for these drivers and enforce a yearly refresher safety class, if necessary. There is NO reason why these accidents are happening, just carelessness on the driver's part.

Does anyone agree with me that Lisa baden on WTOP is "loopy"? I can't recall a time when one of her reports sounded completely professional. Don't get me wrong, the report is still GOOD, but she tends to wander away with some old 40's and 50's style song lyrics and general goofiness. I also listen to Julie Wright from FOX 5 sometimes. Can Lisa just report the traffic, or is she auditioning for Comedy Central?

Long story short.

DC police will fine you $100 dollars for using a non-hands free cell phone while driving in their jurisdiction. Yet, if you drive past a patrol car, the DRIVER (officer) is gabbing away on their's, yet it is illegal for us. This includes parking enforcement or other DC agencies authorized to issue traffic citations. I know these cars have dispatch radios, so, what gives?