How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Cambridge
Parked in wrong direction
In the City of Cambridge, you are required to park your vehicle facing the same direction as the flow of traffic on that side of the street. This generally means your passenger side must be against the curb to ensure you do not have to cross opposing traffic blindly when pulling out.
Guide to Fighting City of Cambridge Parked in wrong direction
Let’s be honest: walking back to your car to find a parking ticket tucked under your wiper is the quickest way to ruin a good day in Cambridge. If that ticket says "Parked in wrong direction," you might be scratching your head. You parked close to the curb, you didn't block a hydrant, and you paid the meter. So, what gives?
Simply put, this violation means your car was facing against the flow of traffic. In almost every jurisdiction, including Cambridge, you are required to park so that the passenger side of your vehicle is curbside. The logic here isn't just about aesthetics; it is a safety issue. When you park against traffic, you have to cross a lane of opposing traffic just to pull into the spot, and you have to do it again to pull out. Plus, at night, your headlights would be facing oncoming drivers, which can be confusing and dangerous.
While the base fine is $25.00, ignoring it is a bad idea. Cambridge has a tiered late fee system that kicks in pretty quickly. If you don't pay or appeal within 21 days, they tack on an extra $10.00. Wait two months? That’s another $20.00. Eventually, that manageable $25 ticket can balloon significantly, so handling it sooner rather than later is crucial.
Can you fight it? Absolutely. While "I didn't know" isn't usually a valid defense, there are legitimate reasons to contest this ticket. For example, if you were on a one-way street and the signage was missing or obscured, you might have a case. Perhaps the street is extremely narrow and lacks center lines, making the traffic flow ambiguous. Or, maybe there was an emergency situation that forced you to pull over immediately.
This is where the Busted web app comes in. We believe that dealing with municipal bureaucracy shouldn't require a law degree or a day off work. Because we support disputes for the City of Cambridge, you can use our platform to manage the entire process.
Instead of mailing checks or navigating a clunky city website, you can handle your ticket directly through your browser. If you choose to dispute, we can help you formulate a professional appeal based on the details of your situation. If you'd rather just pay it and move on, we facilitate that securely, too. The goal is to get this resolved quickly so you can get back to driving—in the right direction, of course.
Late fee schedule
| Timing | Fee |
|---|---|
21-67 days Tickets must be paid or appealed within 21 days to avoid the first late fee. | $10.00 |
67-104 days Tickets must be paid or appealed within 21 days to avoid the first late fee. | $20.00 |
After 104 days Tickets must be paid or appealed within 21 days to avoid the first late fee. | $40.00 |