Page 217 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - New Orleans

TR A VEL INFORM A TION  215

Road Conditions
Streetcars cannot stop very The airport has a large long- and
quickly, so it is important to short-term parking area if you and Hazards
ensure you look care fully when wish to leave your car there and New Orleans is notorious for
crossing streetcar tracks. take a taxi into the city. Rush hours large potholes, some of which
Driving under the influence in the city are from 7–9am and can damage a car or cause loss
(DUI) of alcohol or drugs is from 4–6pm Monday to Friday. of control. Drive carefully and
illegal and punishable by a check to make sure there is
heavy fine, loss of your license, Fuel paved road ahead. Heavy
or even a jail sentence. downpours can cause street
US gas (petrol) prices are low flooding. Drive slowly through
compared to those in Europe. standing water or choose
Parking
Gas stations are another route.
Parking in the city sparse in the
is difficult and downtown area. DIRECTORY
expensive. Parking All pumps accept
areas and garages credit cards, but if Taxis
often post prices using cash, you
at the entrance. must pay before Checker Yellow Cabs
Tel (504) 943-2411.
Many downtown you pump. Many
businesses have No Parking and No stations have a Liberty Bell Cabs
designated parking lots Stopping signs conven ience store Tel (504) 822-5974.
and offer discounted or free where you can pay
parking for patrons. In addition for gas and buy refresh ments. United Cabs
to being often closed Always fill up before driving Tel (504) 522-9771.
to traffic, the streets in the French into remote areas. Public Transportation
Quarter are very narrow; street
parking here can result in your The Lift-Handicapped
car being damaged by passing Penalties Service
vehicles or exuberant revelers. If you have been issued a ticket Tel (504) 827-7433.
There are parking meters all over and wish to contest the charges, ∑ norta.com
the city, some of which accept you may request a hearing at
notes and credit cards. Be sure to Traffic Court. Car Rental Agencies
make a note of the time limits, If you parked on the street
especially in the French Quarter, and cannot find your car, it may Alamo
where your car may be towed if have been towed away. Call the Tel (800) 327-9633.
you are even only one minute Claiborne Auto Pound and give ∑ goalamo.com
over the time limit. the following infor mation about Avis
The tow-away crew in New your car: license plate number, Tel (800) 331-1212.
Orleans is very active. Never make and color, and where
disregard parking prohibitions, you parked it. To retrieve it, you ∑ avis.com
such as near a fire hydrant or a will have to pay the fine, and Budget
crosswalk, at bus stops, in present your driver’s license and Tel (800) 527-0700.
disabled, reserved, or parade registration or rental voucher. ∑ budget.com
route areas, and during street If your car is not at the pound,
cleaning. Parking on any major it might have been stolen. Cruise America
city street or thorough fare is In this case, call the police Motorhome Rental
forbidden during Mardi Gras department (see p205) to find Tel (800) 327-7799.
(see pp30–31). out how to proceed. ∑ cruiseamerica.com
Dollar
Tel (800) 800-4000.
∑ dollarcar.com
Hertz
Tel (800) 654-3131.
∑ hertz.com
Penalties
Claiborne Auto Pound
Tel (504) 565-7450.
∑ nola.gov
Traffic Court
Tel (504) 658-4500.
Royal Street during Mardi Gras, when parking is not allowed

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