Last night’s Harris Teeter run was productive: several six-packs of 12.9-ounce Coca-Cola Zero bottles during the buy-two-get-three-free sale, plus a salmon poke bowl for good measure.
Then I headed back outside and spotted a familiar sight: a minivan stopped right up by the entrance with its hazard lights on.
I understand that mobility can complicate a grocery trip. I’ve seen the driver using a motorized grocery scooter before, and I can appreciate the need to minimize walking and make errands manageable.
Still, hazard lights are not a magic parking permit. They are basically the automotive equivalent of saying, “I’ll only be a minute,” while parking wherever it causes the most confusion.
This had strong New York City double-parking energy. The kind of move that says, “The rules are flexible, and I have places to be.” In a busy grocery-store entrance, though, it can block traffic, complicate drop-offs, and make the area harder for everyone else to navigate.
And if you want a reminder that parking rules can have real consequences, New York has one legendary lesson: block a fire hydrant during an emergency and the fire department may run the hose straight through your windows. Suddenly, your car is getting an unwanted indoor pool package.
Mobility challenges deserve consideration. So do the people trying to get through a crowded store entrance. A little patience—and a proper parking space—can make the whole parking lot work better.
