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Stopping, standing and parking prohibited

Last week’s article explained the basic terms of no parking, not standing and no stopping. This article will elaborate on some of the more common vehicle and traffic laws (VTL) that expand on those definitions.

Section 1202 of New York state VTL prohibits stopping, standing or parking on the roadway side of any vehicle that is stopped, standing or parked at the edge or curb of the street (double parking). It also prohibits stopping, standing, or parking on a sidewalk (many violations of this law in our villages) within an intersection, except when permitted by official signs on the side of a highway opposite a street which intersects but does not cross, such highway (a good example of this in Malone is at the intersection of Webster Street and Jane SStreett, where parking is allowed along Webster opposite Jane Street), on a crosswalk and several other locations which are less common in our area.

This VTL section also prohibits standing or parking (stopping is allowed) in front of a public or private driveway, within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, unless a different distance is distance is indicated by official signs or markings, within 30 feet upon the approach to any flashing signal, stop or yield sign or traffic-control signal located at the side of the roadway, again unless a different distance is allowed by official signs. This means you cannot park or stand within 30 feet of a stop sign. This is logical because, if allowed, a parked vehicle within 30 feet of a stop sign would obstruct a driver’s vision of this important traffic control device. Standing or parking is also illegal alongside or obstructing a curb area which has been cut down, lowered or constructed so as to provide accessibility to the sidewalk.

Although most people are of the belief that stopping or standing within 15 feet of a fire hydrant is against the law, it is allowed if the vehicle is attended by a licensed operator or chauffeur who is seated in the front seat and who can immediately move such vehicle in case of emergency. Again, this is logical because if you were standing (parked but remaining in your vehicle) in front of a fire hydrant and a fire truck needed access to the hydrant, you could immediately move your vehicle.

VTL Section 1203 contains additional parking regulations. For instance, on a two-way street or roadway, if you parallel park your vehicle, your right-hand wheels must be within 12 inches of the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. Likewise, if on a one-way street or roadway, and you are parking on the left side, your left wheels must be within 12 inches from the curb or edge of the roadway. Furthermore, unless diagonal parking is allowed, you must park your vehicle parallel to the curb or edge of the roadway and you must park facing in the same direction as authorized traffic movement on that portion of the roadway on which the vehicle rests. In other words, you cannot park on the wrong side of the street or road, facing oncoming traffic.

In VTL, there are many parking regulations related to handicapped parking. This will be the subject for a separate article.

For more articles on traffic law and safety, go to the traffic safety board’s website at “http://www.franklincony.org”>www.franklincony.org and click on “Traffic Safety Board” under departments then look for Did You Know articles under “services.” You may also email me at dwerner151@verizon.net.

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