A new wave of laws aims to make America’s streets safer — but brace for more tickets and less parking.
States and cities eager to maximize parking in busy areas have a long history of lax enforcement of laws that usually require about 20 feet of no-parking zones around crosswalks.
Now, an effort to crack down on the problem is gaining steam. Proponents call the effort “daylighting,” named after the increased visibility that comes when few parked cars crowd intersections.
“If we have cars that are parked right next to crosswalks, a lot of times, it creates a huge blind zone right in front of the crosswalk,” said Angie Schmitt, founder of a planning firm focused on pedestrian safety. “And I really think cities should be more proactive about trying to prevent that, because it really is dangerous.”
In Sacramento, drivers who park within 25 feet of a crosswalk — or 15 feet if the curb has a pedestrian extension or bump-out — could be fined $25, regardless of whether there is a sign or other indication that prohibits parking.
