Claiming “Dibs” on Cleared-Out Parking Spots? Not Cool in NYC

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parking-snowAs the snow finally began to melt away over the weekend we asked you, our gentle readers, to weigh in on the issue of “dibs.” Y’know, when a driver digs their car out of the snow and then “claims” it with a chair, a sign, or some other object that is not a car? Popular in some other cities, we were curious how other New Yorkers felt on the matter. An  informal poll is still going but the results are already pretty clear.

This probably won’t surprise most of you, but here in New York drivers really have no right to expect to keep a spot they dug out: 52% of the more than 900 people who responded to our poll say that any free spot is fair game. Another quarter of respondents feel that a person who dug out a spot can lay claim to it… for a day. And only 12% respect the rules of the dib. The remainder, for those of you counting out there, aren’t so much car people (“Parking? You mean like the last stop on the train?”).

So there you have it folks. Come the next big storm you can feel free to try and claim dibs on a spot you dug out… just don’t expect your fellow New Yorkers to respect it.

{Gothamist/Matzav.com}


11 COMMENTS

  1. I don’t know why they don’t do this when it’s not snowing on blocks where you live like in Montreal Canada. If you live near a Hospital or train station or other busy area you cant find parking near your own home.

  2. They do this all over in Philadelphia and everyone respects others who do it – the parking is not usually as bad as in NY- although the mayor (in Philadelphia) Said that it is illegal. I am sure it is illegal in NY too. In our township the day when it snowed the township had on its website that it is illegal to do such a thing.

  3. They do this all over in Philadelphia and everyone respects others who do it – the parking is not usually as bad as in NY- although the mayor (in Philadelphia) Said that it is illegal. I am sure it is illegal in NY too. In our township the day when it snowed the township had on its website that it is illegal to do such a thing.

  4. I think its a great idea, like this I get a nice parking space as well as whatever item the fellow who thinks he can claim public property left on public property which i can assume he meant to discard

  5. The person who dug out his spot and left it will want to be able to park when he gets to his destination, won’t he? Whose spot will he occupy at his destination(s)? And why should a parking spot remain unoccupied while he is off for who-knows-how-long taking care of his business?

  6. If someone digs their car out of the snow AND PUTS A CONE, CHAIR, ETC… then I agree that spot should be reserved at all costs! I would slash the tires of anyone who would violate that rule! However, if no indication was left at the emptied spot then it showes that the digger doesn’t mind or is not returning. Also if someone owns their own driveway but parks in the street anyway especialy someones dug out spot, only bad, terrible things should happen to him! He must be taught a lesson that he won’t easily forget!!!

  7. What is the law? Can someone legally hold a parking spot with a chair – or are they just giving the chair away to whover picks it up?

  8. To New Yorker:I would love to cross your path. I would glee over watching you dig out a spot, pull out , place a cone there and even before you have a chance to make it down the block, I would remove the cone and gladly park there. It’s my right. You don’t own the street regardless of if you shoveled or not. That’s life. You can”t “save” a spot; well you can try but as I’ve done many times in the past, will get out of my car, move whtever is there, and park there. I will not even go into what someone who would touch my tires would face in retaliation. About the guy who has a driveway and parks on the street, especially during snow season, I must admit, that’s not very nice though I’m not a big believer of wishing bad on people.

  9. You are all wrong.

    No one has an innate “right” to park anywhere just because they have put an obstruction (a chair, a cone) on a particular spot.

    You want guaranteed parking? Go rent a private garage!

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