If you live in GA, you have a 73% chance of being fined for this. What & how to avoid it
There’s probably nothing worse than getting a parking ticket after a long day at work or after trying to find a spot in the rain while picking up groceries.
But rest assured, you’re not alone, especially not in Georgia.
A recent study by the Good Guys Injury Law firm found that Georgia ranks fourth in the country for parking violations.
Here’s what the study found
The Good Guys Injury Law firm found the top 10 states where drivers are most likely to get a parking ticket and here’s how they did it:
They compiled data such as the total number of licensed drivers, revenue per capita from parking fines and the total revenue generated by parking tickets in each state.
Then, experts calculated the probability of a driver getting at least one parking ticket in a year based on all the data they found.
Finally, each state was ranked based on the probability and average cost of a fine.
After all data was collected and sorted, here’s what the study found about Georgia:
Georgia ranks fourth in the U.S. with a 73% probability of drivers being fined.
Parking violations across the state generated $255.3 million in revenue, with a per capita figure of $35.
So, what are the other states in the top 10?
Here’s how Georgia stacks up against other states
The study found the top 10 states with the highest probability of parking violations and here are the rankings:
Coming in at number one, is New York with a 92.4% chance of residents getting a parking fine.
In second place is Illinois with a 84.4% probability.
Third: Texas (77.6%)
Fourth: Georgia (72.85%)
Fifth: Wyoming (71%)
Sixth: California (69.3%)
Seventh: Louisiana (68.8%)
Eighth: Arkansas (68.6%)
Ninth: Washington (67.6%)
Tenth: New Jersey (65.4%)
How to avoid getting a parking fine
“Drivers can avoid fines by carefully checking parking signs, understanding local rules, and planning their parking choices—simple steps that can save time, money, and unnecessary stress while supporting safer and more organized streets,” said a spokesperson with Good Guys Injury Law.
Here’s how to avoid getting parking fines, according to Drive Safe Online:
Read the Signs Carefully: Always check for street cleaning schedules, no-parking zones, and time-limited parking signs.
Be Mindful of Time Limits: Set an alarm on your phone to avoid overstaying in a timed parking zone.
Avoid Restricted Zones: Never park in bus stops, loading zones, or near fire hydrants, as these are common ticketing areas.
Watch for Temporary No-Parking Signs: Be vigilant about temporary restrictions due to street cleaning or construction.
Keep Your Meter Paid: Use mobile apps to extend your meter time remotely when necessary.
Park in Designated Lots or Garages: Opt for paid parking lots to avoid the risk of tickets in heavily enforced areas.
Pay Attention to Curb Colors: Red, yellow, and blue curbs often indicate parking restrictions.
What do you think of this study? Comment below to let me know or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com.
This story was originally published February 11, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "If you live in GA, you have a 73% chance of being fined for this. What & how to avoid it."
