Based on the legal definition of the word crime, it absolutely is true.
crime. n. a violation of a law in which there is injury to the public or a member of the public and a term in jail or prison, and/or a fine as possible penalties.
Driving while talking on your cell phone puts everyone around you at risk, which is considered "injury to the public" and is punishable by a fine. Therefore, it's technically a crime. Same with parking beyond the meter, which leaves fewer available parking spaces for everyone else (again, "injury to the public") and is punishable by a fine.
Just because they aren't serious crimes that can result in jail time doesn't mean they aren't still technically crimes.