Normative Signs: The Poetry of "Ought"

This lovely sign was shot in London, by Nancy Walton.

What’s of interest here is the polite footnote, which reads “If this suspension is unclear, or is not being used, please call…” and gives a phone number.

I love the commas (students, take note!). And I love the invitation to, you know, give us a call if anything should be unclear. What’s unclear to me is what it would mean for a parking suspension not to be “used.”