[kraft.wagen]

Originally Posted by vineethvazhayil

Tough luck man ! Did you not see the no turn on red? Some places have "No turn on red" in big font and "when pedestrians are present in the crosswalk" in really small font below. The main message gets through. This no turn on red policy is imposed on very busy intersections or where it is difficult to see cross traffic because of the angle of the intersection or other obstructions.

I didn't my friend got the ticket
Ya the s waukegan is a less busy road that enters willow is a busy road 4 lane.
But I so agree with you, at some places there are so many signs by the time you understand what it just makes you go nuts.

[DexterMorgan]

Originally Posted by vineethvazhayil

I was seeing news channels talking about traffic and speed camera's dishing out false tickets by the dozens everyday in some cities. Cities see that as a source of revenue. So every time you do get such a traffic ticket, make sure it is legitimate. There maybe merit in contesting a ticket if it appears to be false.

My cousin got a ticket for turning on red without a complete stop in Seattle. She got a picture and a link to online video of her committing the violation
In violation description, it was clearly mentioned that one has to stop for at least 3 seconds before turning on red.

I feel DMV s here in US are pretty tech savvy and legit and one has bleak chances of gaining anything by contesting.

[vineethvazhayil]

Originally Posted by DexterMorgan

I feel DMV s here in US are pretty tech savvy and legit and one has bleak chances of gaining anything by contesting.

I agree, yet disagree. The tech savvy DMV's are some times creating the technology so that people will not question an automated ticket. Check this story out -
Stopped driver gets speeding ticket
Similarly, I remember seeing a story on TV where someone went through a traffic light on green yet, got a ticket for not stopping for red! He pulled some video footage from his dashcam to falsify the ticket. So I will take the tech savviness with a pinch of salt! Most of the speed camera systems involved a lot of money to setup and so to show any ROI, they need to be dishing out tickets, accurate or wrong, is open to be questioned.

[DexterMorgan]

Originally Posted by amitoj

Guys, specially those from NYC area, could you please help me out?
I need to make a quick trip to the Indian Consulate in NYC tomorrow. Where do you guys suggest i should park? I will be in that area for almost the entire day.

Are you going to the VFS office or the consulate? Both are two different locations. VFS office is one near NY Penn Station, i think 36h street on 6th Avenue.

I went there last month to renew my wife's passport. It will be very hard to find parking space on street as they are usually jam packed or no-parking zones. I did notice few parking garages in close vicinity but not sure if they allow day parking or only for monthly members.

Also, having driven in NY couple of times for airport drops/pickups, beware the traffic is crazy. More aggravated by pedestrians jay-walking even when you have green signal. Kinda similar to being in Delhi Give yourself ample time buffer.

I would advice, if your time permits, park at Newport mall, plenty of parking garages there; and take Path train to 34th street. VFS is walking distance from there. You can get one day parking for 5$ in some Newport parking lots.

[vineethvazhayil]

Originally Posted by DexterMorgan

I would advice, if your time permits, park at Newport mall, plenty of parking garages there; and take Path train to 34th street. VFS is walking distance from there. You can get one day parking for 5$ in some Newport parking lots.

Or better still, park in Stamford, CT or so - take the express trains to Grand Central. Take a cab from GCT to VFS/Consulate. I did that a couple of times.

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by DexterMorgan

Are you going to the VFS office or the consulate? Both are two different locations. VFS office is one near NY Penn Station, i think 36h street on 6th Avenue.

I would advice, if your time permits, park at Newport mall, plenty of parking garages there; and take Path train to 34th street. VFS is walking distance from there. You can get one day parking for 5$ in some Newport parking lots.

Thanks! But i have to go to the Consulate General, not the VFS. The CGI is on 64th Street.

[chevelle]

Originally Posted by DexterMorgan

I feel DMV s here in US are pretty tech savvy and legit and one has bleak chances of gaining anything by contesting.

You can contest with DMV on technical grounds too. You can subpoena documents about the last time those traffic lights undergo technical inspection and technical maintenance. If it is not done within certain time frame, you can contest the ticket and you can win. You can also contest if the yellow light turns red faster. Its about programming. Now a days, most states have 3-4 seconds of wait time before it turns red. For those lights that don't you can contest saying it gives less time to pass and you can cancel out your ticket.

I found this very helpful website. It covers all possible ways of contesting the ticket. http://www.highwayrobbery.net/

[aah78]

Originally Posted by amitoj

Guys, specially those from NYC area, could you please help me out?
I need to make a quick trip to the Indian Consulate in NYC tomorrow. Where do you guys suggest i should park? I will be in that area for almost the entire day.

Originally Posted by amitoj

Thanks! But i have to go to the Consulate General, not the VFS. The CGI is on 64th Street.

As the Consulate is around Central Park, garage rates will be higher but parking garages run a special rate if you enter between 5/6am to 9/10am (depending on garage) and get your car out before 6pm / 12 hours (also depending on garage).
Should cost you around $15-20 for the whole day ($10 more for a big SUV excluding Rav4, CRV sizes). Other times, you may spend close to $20/hour.

The more closer to the center of the city you park, the higher the costs are. Eg. you'll find a better rate if you park in a garage closer to the West side (10th / 11th Ave) rather than closer to 5th Avenue.

Consulate General has muni-meter parking around the area so you may get lucky there but parking meter rates in Manhattan are higher / hour.

Feel free to ping me if you need any help.

[amitoj]

Thanks guys. Turns out one of my passengers has already booked a parking for 10 hours, for 25 dollars. Split 3 ways, it doesn't seem like a bad deal!

[meghan]

Wow, this thread is really active! My posts searching for a car have already disappeared under a lot of pages

Ended up getting a 2013 Focus ST and loving it!
Thanks for the suggestions

[vineethvazhayil]

Originally Posted by meghan

Wow, this thread is really active! My posts searching for a car have already disappeared under a lot of pages

Ended up getting a 2013 Focus ST and loving it!
Thanks for the suggestions

Congratulations! Have fun in your car and be safe!

I posted a video comparison earlier - comparing the ST and the MS3. All praises for the ST for being the grown up between the two.

[ToroRosso]

Originally Posted by meghan

Ended up getting a 2013 Focus ST and loving it!
Thanks for the suggestions

Congrats Meghan!! Hands down, the best car in the segment.
Any reasons for not going for the Tangerine or Red color?

[Jomz]

Originally Posted by meghan

Wow, this thread is really active! My posts searching for a car have already disappeared under a lot of pages

Ended up getting a 2013 Focus ST and loving it!
Thanks for the suggestions

Congrats.. nice Choice.

[vineethvazhayil]

Originally Posted by ToroRosso

Congrats Meghan!! Hands down, the best car in the segment.
Any reasons for not going for the Tangerine or Red color?

Red color cars are typically cop magnets. On top of that, If you are driving a full fledged performance car (which the Focus ST is supposed to be), you could be attracting a lot of law enforcement attention. I think the color choice Meghan has made is quite smart
This way, he blends well with the rest of the Ford Focus crowd

And @DexterMorgan - the Focus ST only comes in a manual version.

[DexterMorgan]

Originally Posted by meghan

Ended up getting a 2013 Focus ST and loving it!

Awesome choice, hope you got the manual tranny. Congrats and have fun!!