Local-Motion

You know that the United Arab Emirates is charging too much for oil when a driver buying a vanity license plate at an auction there shelled out $14 million Sunday -- for a plate bearing the No. 1. The oil-rich nation has been auctioing off plates since last May, according to the Associated Press.

The previous record was for a plate emblazoned with the No. 5.

That sold for $6.8 million.

The No. 1 plate was sold to Saeed Khouri, a member of a wealthy Abu Dhabi family who made their fortune in real estate. Khouri bought the plate because, as he told the AP: "It's the best number. I bought it because I want to be the best in the world."

Um, okay.

Plates in the UAE normally carry both Arabic and Western numerals and script, according to the AP. The writing defines the issuing city and country. The plate Khouri bought for $14 million carries only the Western numeral "1."

You can bet he's not going to hang it on a Daewoo or a Tata. Or, on a VW Beetle.

Still, Khouri wouldn't say what car he planned to hang the plate on.

Such excess really has to make you wonder. Seems like it qualifies Khouri for No. 1 in something -- and we don't mean as in No. 1 VIP, either . . .

The Canyon of Heroes is the place to be Tuesday. Unless, that is, you are a driver.

Then, watch out.

Because Tuesday is when the City of New York officially honors the New York Giants for their stunning upset of the New England Patriots Sunday in Super Bowl XLII. And the only vehicles welcome in the area will be the ones carrying Giants players along the route.

The parade will begin sometime around 11 a.m. at Battery Park. The route then winds north along Broadway, through to so-called "Canyon of Hereos," before turning onto Chambers and making its way to City Hall -- where the mayor will host ceremonies at 1 p.m.

All that said, best to avoid Lower Manhattan -- probably anything below Delancey and definitely anything below Canal -- all day tomorrow, unless you're headed to the parade. And, if you are, take the subway or other public transportation.