Local Techie Invents App That Decodes L.A.'s Baffling Parking Signs

Any person who has taken the CA Driver's License Exam should be familiar with those signs. Many times people get tickets simply because they do not pay attention to the signs. I admit, I've gotten a ticket here and there within the County for not walking a few cars up to pay attention to the street signage, but to say that the signs are "baffling" is a bit much, it is more a matter of sheer ignorance, no offense. 

If you are a transplant to LAC, I have nothing against you, I just hope that you have grabbed a Driver's Information booklet from the DMV. Maybe you can create an app for them with that info on it too. 

Who me? :-)

This logic will get you tons of tickets in LA. Good luck because it simply ain't that simple.

Amen!!!

This is a good idea. Wish I thought of it. Yeah, I have an android phone. I'd love an android version.

CA22658 only applies to private property impounds. LADOT does not tow from private property.

So, the politician says; 

The  parking / no parking signs don't make any sense and they're a confusing mess. But that's okay because they follow the rules set down in the California Manual of Parking.

Great !

Mercy Mata Britney Rich this is what we've always needed! Hahaha

Not true.. that's when those Permit Only signs will earn you a $200+ Tow over by the Sunset clubs!! A very expensive mistake!!

oh, whatever!! the signs are out of control Insane!! Good for him!! you shouldn't need a PhD to decipher signs!! and too many have as many as 4 or 5 and it's Very confusing to figure out which one prevails at the time!! and one mistake and it's a $65+ ticket!! - I've sat and watched 50 pple get m' over in Silverlake on Hyperion, etc.. by Cafe Stella and Intelligentsia coffee! It's permit parking during certain times and pple just assume it's all good all the time.. I've even seen them read the signs and Still mess up! so.. all you holier than thou's don't be so holy.. you just might be the next one that goofs up.. oh, and street sweeping's another one that can get confusing.. not to mention the 4pm rush hour lane turns your previously great parking spot into a towing zone!! the city's Full of parking 'surprises'!! and not fun ones either!!

I guess that's cool ... but I have never had trouble understanding the signs. Maybe I'm some kind of genius??

In some streets in Beverly Hills you need a doctorate to be able to understand the signs.

damn my friend Glendon had this idea in 2007, nicely done though!

If you don't understand this App, you have never tried to Park in LA... Sometimes theres 4 signs for one block...I often read them twice or three times to be very sure!

Awesome

If it's too many signs. Keep going. If it's past 8pm chances are you're ok .. Like anywhere.

57 years here, since birth, and I've understood the signs.....

Another asshole who only creates apps for iPhone.

LA parking sucks

i remember reading comprehension class

Lol...If can't read the signs...you should not be driving!

Yeah, it's called reading. The only rule to remember is that Red wins over green and black.

The problem is, most scofflaws don't bother reading the signs in the first place so the app would be pointless.

Sweet. I know this guy!

Kevin Maddox

Great article David. Thanks for bringing attention to this LA Weekly.

Thanks for the great article David Futch and #LAWeekly.

Jeez. Parking isn't hard. -_-

Why is this even necessary? In a word, it is the legacy of Villa-retardo.

Great!!

It would be easier to change the signs, stupid all city official's !!! 5signs a post n shit

Seriously.. Why didn't I think of that. Ugh!

Wow - wish we had this app to feature in our "Dear Parking Enforcement" video about the atrocity of LA parking!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq3TsBGxkGg

Sometimes the problem is the meter.  It does not always clearly state what the hours of operation are, but will generally gladly continue to take any "donations" given even when not active.

Generally, if you see a light on it, especially a red flashing one, it wants to be fed.

It helps to carry a flash light and something to scrape the windows of the meter so you can read what is there, sometimes it even helps.  What sucks is when it says to look at the signs, but no signs are around you.  Maybe a block away, but not where you are.

We need a way to take the profit out of it for the city.  Let them keep the meter money, but any ticket money goes to the state or the like in a way that they do not benefit.

@mamababy9 Exactly. I think our politicians can do a better job at trying to help fix this problem instead of insisting it's not an issue. Our new mayor, Eric Garcetti, is known for being open to new ideas. It would probably be a really smart idea for people to contact him and let him know this needs attention. 

@Pilar Mac Daniel I agree. I find some of the sings in downtown LA and over by Hollywood particularly bad too. It shouldn't be that difficult to park.

@eVL_e Thanks man. I truly appreciate it. :-) Sounds like your friend Glendon and I need to work together on an app in the future. 

@Michelle A Blemel Absolutely. It's especially tough for people that are new to LA. It took me a while to get used to the fact that I had to read the parking signs 3 or 4 times just to make sure I could park.

@Lesa Adams Thanks Lesa :-) Appreciate it.

@Victor Ortiz The app is really for newcomers to LA. After living here a few years I think most people get the hang of the parking signs, but if you're new to LA or just visiting it can be confusing. 

@Jeffery Haas Well, I don't know if I'm an asshole lol, but I did initially create this app only for iPhone. I wanted to see if people were interested in it before I made it for android too. If enough people are excited about the iPhone version I will definitely make it for android. I'll count you as one vote for pro android. For real,  if you know others that really want it for android please let me know and I'll get on it.

@Larry Tabarez Ramirez Very true! :-)

@Al Guerrero You're right a lot of people don't read the signs. This is trying to help out those that do. If you don't read the signs there is nothing an app or anything else can do to help you. It all starts with reading the signs.

@Korey Simeone I claim no knowledge of you lol .... just kidding man. Hope you are doing well Korey.

@Marla Giese Thanks :-).

@James Beilke I completely agree. 5 sings for one spots seems excessive. 

@jourdanrystrom This video is hilarious! I have to put this on the Park Safe LA FB page! Great job.

@richardstarr I completely agree with what you said about taking the profit out of it for the city. As long as the city sees this as a way to get easy money they will tap this as a potential revenue channel and not a problem that frustrates a lot of people. 

@parksafela @jourdanrystrom thanks so much! Appreciate the share :D