Double parking is a common traffic rules violation that can earn you a ticket. But are you aware that in certain cases the law may permit parallel parking? Read on to know more about this violation that can incur heavy fine in some cities.
Driving down the streets of New York City, to drop off his wife, Jim was issued a double parking ticket. He earned his ticket, just because he double parked while his wife exited the car. Is it possible that while you are driving around to find a parking spot or waiting for your passenger to exit, you are violating a traffic law?
What is Double Parking
It is generally referred to, as the act of parking a vehicle next to the side of an already parked car. This means the first car is blocked and the second car may obstruct the normal traffic on the street or lane.
The extent of this obstruction may cause the double way street to temporarily turn into a one way, single lane. It is an illegal practice. It may lead to a ticket and in some cases, towing away of the double parked vehicle.
It is seen that many attended parking lots tend to have double parked vehicles. This is because there is lack of space or a method to optimize the parking density.
In such cases, the car owner needs to leave his car keys with an attendant so that when the driver of the car that has been blocked returns, the attendant can move away the double parked car and first car driver to leave.
Another common infraction is seen when people take up more than the space assigned for one car. This is fairly common in case of large SUV’s and trucks. This form is very rarely punishable.
Laws of Double Parking in NYC
The laws in New York City under code 46 are defined as, “Standing or parking on the roadway side of a vehicle stopped, standing or parked at the curb; in other words, “double parking”.
A person may; however, stand a Commercial Vehicle alongside a vehicle parked at the curb at such locations and during such hours that stopping, standing and parking is allowed when quickly making pickups, deliveries or service calls.
This is allowed if there is no space or marked loading zone on either side of the street within 100 feet. “Double parking” any type of vehicle is not; however, allowed in Midtown Manhattan (the area from 14th Street to 60th Street, between First Avenue and Eighth Avenue inclusive).
Midtown double parking is not allowed between 7am and 7 pm daily except Sundays.”
The earlier law means that between 7 am to 7 pm, you cannot double park in Midtown. You are not allowed to double park at a STOP sign. You cannot double park when you are loading or unloading stuff from your vehicle to the curb. You cannot double park while your passenger is busy doing their business around.
Even though it is illegal, this issue is fairly common in urban areas. Many delivery trucks and commercial vehicle owners have forwarded the charges of such parking tickets as cost to business.
As a delivery truck driver, one cannot help but park if there is no legal parking space available. You need to make sure you explain to the police officer that you were standing there for less than 2 minutes or so, waiting for the contents to unload. Or else you earn yourself a parking ticket.
Do not argue a lot with the officer, or you may earn another hefty ticket. Instead, you can try contesting a parking ticket, if you feel that you have got an unfair deal with the law. The common expression, “Everybody does it!” may not help in this case.