The city issued 1,609 tickets for parking on city streets overnight, in the aftermath of Tuesday's snowstorm.

Ottawa imposed a winter parking ban Tuesday night to allow them to clear off snow-clogged streets, and ticketed many drivers who left their vehicles because of the poor conditions. (CBC) Hilmi Karademir said he had no choice to leave his car on a nearby street — because his street was full of snow.

Karademir says he's disgusted the city might have "made money" off of ticketing people who couldn't get home because their streets hadn't been plowed.

Drivers contest tickets

On Thursday dozens of drivers visited the Provincial Offences Satellite Court Office at city hall to try and contest the ticket.

Most, like Maurice Ndagi, had their ticket reduced by half.

On Tuesday, the city issued an overnight parking ban so that plows and other equipment could clear roads without being impeded by parked cars. During overnight bans, drivers are allowed to park for free at city parking garages.