A Parking Ticket
Last Thursday, my husband
and I drove to Chinatown to go shopping after school. It was very difficult to
find a parking spot, I looked at this parking sign that can park here from Monday to
Friday at 7.am to 9.pm, also you need to pay for parking. My husband helped me to
check”Yes ,we can park here!”. So I paid two hours of parking and put this
ticket into my car where the police can see.
I was very sad when I came back because I got
a parking ticket. I looked at this parking sign again and again that to make
sure I did park here. I was confused then called my friend Annie to tell this thing. She said ”Don't worry,my dear. If you think that you are right ,You need to go to a
police stations to explain this thing, Maybe you can get a discount!Good luck!”
I know my English is not good enough, but I decided to try do that. I took
pictures of my car’s parking spot with the parking sign, I planed to show the
pictures to explain when I went to a police station.
I drove to a police station at 1271 Markham
Road in Friday morning, I filled a form, then quietly waited in line. After 10
minute, I heard a policeman who is a little bald and looks friendly ”Good
afternoon!”
”Good afternoon,” I gave the parking ticket
to him “Yesterday afternoon, I got a ticket in Chinatown Street, It is my first
ticket ,but I am confused.”
The policeman smiled:”What’s happen? Please
tell me!”
I showed my parking fees and pictures” Please
help me to check this parking sign, I thought I can park here and I had paid 2
hours fees of parking before I left , but I don’t know why I got this ticket?”
The polices looked at his computer a moment
to check ”Did you notice 2 parking signs seriously?”
“2 parking signs?” I was surprise ” I only saw this parking sign! Where is another one?”
“Please look!”The policeman turned his
computer “ This parking sign that you noticed , you can park here, but another
parking sign is behind your car that you did not notice.”
”What is the sign mean? I had never seen it
before.”I asked.
”This is a loading sign, it means you can’t
park this area because the trucks need to park here to load for these shops. Do
you understand?” He pointed the sign to told me.
”Yes, I do. I parked a wrong spot. I need to pay this ticket.”I
nodded .
The policeman thought a moment and said”Are
you new to Toronto?”
I told him“Yes, I am a newcomer and just moved here form Ottawa
last month.”
He smiled friendly” Well, Free for you, You
don’t need to pay this ticket !”
” Free? Really? Why?” I couldn't believe my
ears.
”Yes,Free!” He nodded “It is your first
ticket, I think you are a good driver,you should take care to notice all
parking signs next time. Welcome to Toronto and enjoy your life in Canada!”
”Thank you very much! “ I was happy “This is
a good gift for me in Toronto.”
”You are a newcomer"the policeman said.” Do you
mind that let me tell you some information for new driver?”
“Please tell me, I am pleased to listen!” I
said.
The policeman patiently told me:”If you got
a ticket ,You have 3 ways to pay by mail,on line, and police station. If you
have some questions or confusions, You don’t hesitate and go to one of the
police stations to ask and explain. You do that very well this time! If you
think that you are right and don’t agree or accept this ticket, You can go to a
court to appeal. This is your right!”
”Thank you for letting me know these
information that are very important! “ I smiled to him ”Have a good day!” I
was so luck because I met a nice policeman.
It is an impressive and memorable experience
in my life. Through this thing that I know more about Canada. In Canada, you
are free to do anything you can under law , but you must obey with rules.
Otherwise, you will get a ticket or a severely punishment. In Canada,
government handles these matters are very humanistic and democratic. The most
important and main purpose that is not to punish, but to educate, so that
people know how to do it right and improve their quality. I think that is why
Canada is a advanced country in the world!
