<P> Alternate side parking is a traffic law that dictates on which side of a street cars can be parked on a given day . The law is intended to promote efficient flow of traffic, as well as to allow street sweepers and snowplows to reach the curb without parked cars impeding their progress . Some proponents also regard the law, which can be quite inconvenient for drivers, as a way to encourage the use of public transportation . </P> <P> In many towns and cities, alternate side parking is reserved for certain times of year, or only used during a snow emergency . </P> <P> From the beginning, the New York City alternate - side parking law was "assailed" by opponents as actually impeding the efficient flow of traffic . The system was created by Paul Rogers Screvane, former commissioner for the department of sanitation in Queens, New York . </P> <P> The law is a year - round rule, suspended only for holidays and certain events . Signs are posted with the scheduled street sweeping times, and drivers must make sure their vehicles are on the correct side of the street or risk being ticketed or towed . The law can be confusing to visitors, who often choose to park in high - priced parking garages or use valet parking rather than risking fines . Even for locals, parking tickets are common; working late or oversleeping may cause a car to be left for too long on the wrong side of the street . Avoiding a ticket can consume a great deal of time, as drivers must search for other available spaces or sit double parked until the designated time, regardless of when street sweepers actually pass . </P>

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