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DRIVERS are furious over a new parking law that will eliminate a massive amount of parking spots in one city.
In the New Year, drivers in California will face fines if they park within 20 feet of marked or unmarked crosswalks thanks to a new daylighting law.
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The new California law will make it even harder to find parking spots in popular cities such as San Francisco.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency said on Tuesday that since November 11, cops already issued more than 375 warnings to cars violating the rule.
The new 20-foot buffer zone on the approaching side of the street aims to help drivers clearly see pedestrians crossing the road.
“By keeping the area next to crosswalks clear of parked vehicle obstructions, people walking and people driving or riding on the street can see each other better,” the SFMTA said on their site.
READ MORE ON PARKING LAWS
Drivers will have to pay fines whether or not the crosswalk they’re parked near is marked with a painted red curb.
The SFMTA said the law will get rid of about 5% of the city’s parking spaces – meaning about 275,500 street spots, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
“We are conducting outreach to ensure communities and businesses know what to expect when California’s Daylighting Law (takes effect),” SFMTA spokesperson Michael Roccaforte said.
“Our public education campaign will remain ongoing to remind residents about AB 413 and citations that start January 1, 2025.
“Citations will carry fines of $40 where curbs are not painted red and keep the same fine of $108 where curbs are painted red.”
The fines, ranging depending on the jurisdiction, start on January 1, but some cities like San Diego will implement a 60-day grace period.
Car owners in San Francisco have been furious to learn about the new law as it creates less space for parking.
“It’s already hard to find parking as it is,” Resident Celina Preciado told NBC affiliate KNTV when cops started handing out warnings earlier this month.
“We probably will have to use public transportation now more often.
“I think they should not do this at this time,” Masie Wong said to KNTV.
New ‘daylighting’ law
A new parking law has been introduced in California.
California Assembly Bill 413, also known as the Daylighting to Save Lives Bill, prohibits parking within 20 feet of crosswalks.
The law makes it illegal for drivers to stop, stand, or park within 20 feet of a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
Daylighting is a term for keeping the areas next to intersections as clear as possible to improve visibility on the street and protect pedestrians and bike riders.
The law also prohibits parking personal and commercial vehicles within 20 feet of the left curb on one-way streets or within 15 feet of crosswalks where a curb extension is present.
The law goes into effect on January 1, 2025.
There will be a 60-day grace period for violations until March 1.
“They should at least wait for the economy to get better.”
“20’ is a little excessive!” a Facebook user named Jody Benson wrote.
“That’s potentially taking away eight parking spots per intersection. We won’t be able to drive in San Francisco anymore and expect to park.”
“So do we have to bring a tape measure every time we go out? Why not paint the curb red then so we know?” another frustrated Facebook user wrote.
San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston told the Chronicle he asked the SFMTA to paint more curbs red to help drivers adjust to the daylighting rules.
“The agency needs to be clear with residents about these changes, paint curbs where parking will be prohibited, and develop a citywide plan for daylighting,” Preston said.
“Moving this forward without even painting curbs red undermines neighborhood trust and undermines our collaborative efforts toward achieving our Vision Zero goals.”
The SFMTA declined to comment further on the issue when approached by The U.S. Sun.
