How about a card system for parking?

Before I knew what was happening I was in a situation. My van had come up against one of those car park barrier arms that belched out a ticket that demanded to be taken, if you wanted to proceed further. I usually avoid those darn contraptions but I was in an unfamiliar area desperately looking for a parking space.  

So here I was eyeing this ticket, oh so close, yet so far away. The trouble is my right side does not function that well and reaching out for a ticket is just not in my repertoire.

A sudden horn blast jolts me out of my ponderings of what to do next. I look into my rear vision mirror and notice a queue of vehicles lined up behind me, stretching back onto the road.

I wind my window down and beckon the guy behind me to come hither. No response. I contemplate unleashing my automatic back doors openers,  which releases my hoist to lower itself to van floor level, or onto my mate’s bonnet behind me. That might make him realise I needed help.

Before I had the chance to carry out my evil thoughts, the gate keeper from a far off booth came to my rescue and handed me my ticket.

Honestly in today’s world full of electronic gadgets surely we can come up with a system better than this.
How about a card gizmo that you can flash to the machine which registers you details and gives you the option of paying later.

Just a thought.

Ross Flood