Traffic gets most of the vehicle-related headlines around the Charleston area, and rightfully so. But when drivers arrive at their destination, parking can turn into a whole other source of frustration.
And that frustration doesn’t always involve simply finding a parking spot. Sometimes, it’s how we have to pay for parking that can be exasperating.
That aggravation was described well by Charleston resident Erin Burris in her Feb. 14 letter to the editor, “Make parking easier.” Her letter is the winner of the newspaper’s Golden Pen award for February.
Ms. Burris’ relatable letter voiced the vexations some drivers feel during what was once a straightforward process of paying to park their car.
“Is it just me, or has public parking become way more complicated than it needs to be?” she asked.
“It seems as though everywhere you go now requires the use of a QR code. You have to scan it, create an account and enter your license plate number (which you don’t have memorized, of course). Then you have to guess how long you’re going to be gone for dinner, shopping or an event. And if you guess wrong, you get a parking ticket.”
Technology has made parts of our lives easier, of course, but it also has made some once-straightforward tasks more complex.
“What happened to the good old-fashioned system?” Ms. Burris asked. “You pull in, grab a ticket, do what you need to do and pay when you leave. It’s simple. No passwords required or spotty cell service to deal with, and no standing in the cold trying to get a link from a QR code to load.”
We are navigating technological changes in increasingly larger parts of our lives, and that can feel daunting for many people, especially when it involves something we’ve done many times over the years.
“And let’s talk about the anxiety this creates, especially for older folks,” Ms. Burris wrote. “Not everyone is comfortable setting up online accounts, typing in plate numbers on tiny phone screens or worrying whether the payment actually went through. I’ve watched seniors stand there frustrated and embarrassed, asking strangers for help just to park their car. This is not progress — it’s exclusion.”
Ms. Burris summed up her thoughts with a final message:
“Parking shouldn’t require tech support. We have made something basic feel stressful. Not everything needs to be managed by an app. Sometimes, the old way really is better.”
Her message is particularly timely as the city of Charleston plans to revamp its public parking policies later this year.
The Golden Pen is awarded monthly. Winners also are invited to an annual luncheon with the newspaper’s editorial staff.
