Beginning January 1, 2025, it will be illegal in California to park within 20 feet of the vehicle approach of any marked or unmarked crosswalk, even if a red curb is not present, or 15 feet of any crosswalk where a curb extension is present.
This new California law, aimed at reducing parking near crosswalks, is a significant step towards improving visibility at intersections and enhancing safety for all road users.
By upholding this law, you are not just following a regulation, but actively promoting the safety of your community. This should instill a sense of empowerment and responsibility for the safety of your community.
This law is designed to enhance safety by increasing visibility at intersections, benefiting all road users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers.
For pedestrians, the 'Daylighting' practice removes visual obstructions near crosswalks, allowing them to cross the street with a clear view of oncoming cars, making them feel safer and more secure. This is particularly important for children, who may be hard to see due to their height.
Additionally, daylighting supports broader Safe Routes to School (SRTS) goals by encouraging more families to walk or bike to school. With clearer crosswalks and reduced traffic dangers, walking and biking can be a more viable and appealing option for families.
Clear Lines of Sight
In essence, AB 413 is a daylighting measure designed to establish clear lines of sight at crosswalks, ensuring that pedestrians and drivers can spot each other more easily. By adhering to this law, you are not just following a regulation, but actively promoting safer streets. This should empower you and make you responsible for the safety of your community.
Pedestrians crossing a street have a clear view of oncoming cars without stepping into the street and without a parked car in the way, and drivers approaching an intersection can easily see if a person is waiting to cross the street well in advance.
By keeping the area next to crosswalks clear of parked vehicles, all street users can see each other better, reducing the potential for conflict and making everyone feel more secure and at ease.
Key Takeaways
- Daylighting, a term used in traffic safety, simply means keeping the area near crosswalks and intersections clear of parked vehicles. This practice ensures that both pedestrians and drivers have a clear view of each other, reducing the risk of accidents.
- By limiting obstruction near these critical areas, California's new daylighting law ensures safer decision-making for all road users.
- The new daylighting law improves safety by prohibiting parking within 20 feet of the approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
- The law will be fully enforced starting January 1, 2025, allowing local jurisdictions to adjust the 20-foot restriction using red curbs or signage.
- AB 413 significantly reduces ambiguity and holds drivers accountable to a clear standard, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.
- AB 413 sets a statewide baseline standard, applying to both marked and unmarked crosswalks.
California Assembly Bill 413
Assembly Bill No. 413 says, "Existing law prohibits the stopping, standing, or parking of a vehicle in certain places and under certain conditions, including within an intersection, on a sidewalk or crosswalk, or in front of a fire station.
Existing law additionally authorizes local jurisdictions to, by ordinance, restrict parking in certain areas, at certain times, and for certain reasons, and to establish metered parking.
This bill would prohibit the stopping, standing, or parking of a vehicle within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of any unmarked or marked crosswalk or 15 feet of any crosswalk where a curb extension is present, as specified.
The bill would, prior to January 1, 2025, authorize jurisdictions to issue only a warning for a violation and prohibit them from issuing a citation for a violation, unless the violation occurs in an area marked with paint or a sign.
By restricting parking in certain areas, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made in accordance with the statutory provisions noted above."
What are the New AB 413 Provisions?
AB 413 introduces standardized guidelines for parking distances near crosswalks and intersections statewide to improve intersection safety, such as the following:
- Vehicles are prohibited from stopping, standing, or parking within 20 feet of the approach of marked or unmarked crosswalks.
- Where curb extensions, also known as 'bulb-outs', exist at crosswalks, the no-parking zone extends 15 feet from the approach. A curb extension is a part of the sidewalk that juts out into the street, often at a crosswalk, to reduce the crossing distance for pedestrians and increase their visibility to drivers.
- On two-way streets, the 20-foot restriction applies only to the right-side approach to each crosswalk. However, on one-way streets, the no-parking zones extend to both the left and right curb areas within 20 feet of a crosswalk approach.
- The 20-foot standard is universal, but the law permits local jurisdictions to modify this distance by adding painted curb markings.
Notably, some areas may extend the no-parking zone beyond 20 feet or shorten it to meet specific local needs. A city with narrow streets might extend the zone to 25 feet, while a suburban area with wider roads might reduce it to 15 feet. Drivers are required to obey any red-painted curbs or signs, which override the default 20-foot rule. If there are no painted curbs, the 20-foot rule applies by default.
Penalties for Violations
As noted, under AB 413, parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk or less than 15 feet from a curbed extension is a violation, regardless of whether the zone is marked with signs or painted curbs. The distance restriction applies universally, whether the no-parking zone is designated with red paint, signage, or left unmarked. Violations carry the following penalties:
- Parking infractions under AB 413 are subject to traffic citations and fines.
- Fines vary by jurisdiction but generally range from $40 to more than $100 per violation.
Further, improperly parked vehicles pose more than a financial liability. Unlawfully parked cars increase the likelihood of accidents, which could lead to civil repercussions if injuries or property damage occur. This should make you realize the seriousness of the law and the importance of adhering to it.
Suppose, for example, a pedestrian is hit by a car due to poor visibility caused by an improperly parked vehicle. In that case, the driver of the parked car could be held responsible for their medical bills and other damages. Drivers found at fault for obstructing visibility could face legal claims beyond traffic citations.
What You Need to Know
Drivers need to be aware of the new law provisions and adopt cautious parking habits. You should estimate a 20-foot distance when stopping near a crosswalk, even in areas without markings. To avoid fines where the distance is not clearly marked, you should use landmark measurements to estimate 20 feet.
This is approximately the length of a standard parking space or the length of one large vehicle. You should also be aware that local jurisdictions may enforce slightly different distances, so always check for signage or painted curbs to confirm the exact distance.
Many jurisdictions are issuing warnings for the first offense to help drivers become accustomed to the new rules, but it's essential to note that ignorance of the law isn't an excuse to avoid a fine. For additional information, contact our California criminal defense lawyers, Cron, Israels & Stark, based in Los Angeles.
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