OK - how about the 20 foot law?

[an-art-worker.livejournal.com]

Since parking laws are under discussion I would like to bring up the 20 ft law (= illegal to park within 20 feet of an intersection). I got a ticket last month on my street for this, in a spot where I and other residents have parked for years. The ticket said I was 8 feet from the intersection. I appealed it by mail and sent photos and got a notice yesterday that my appeal was denied. (fwiw - this is a one way street, off of a one way street and in my humble opinion, there was ample clearance for pedestrians and emergency vehicles).

Ok - so I will pay the $30. ticket- but the thing is, it seems like selective/arbitrary enforcement. Even more, there are numerous spots in this neighborhood where, if this 20 ft law were enforced routinely, would not be legal spots at all- yet folks park in those spots all the time.

Trivial I agree but it seems more about $$$ ("revenue enhancement") than anything else. Also, rather than leaving it to a judgment call by someone tryng to park or the parking enforcement person, there should be clear markings on the curb at the 20 ft mark.

Photo behind the cut. Am I guilty or not? ;-)


 

Comments

[cold-type.livejournal.com]

One possible solution: Amend the law to say that a car may not be ticketed, unless the 20' line is marked by a sign or a mark on the curb.

Meanwhile, it turns out the city of Somerville officially bans parking "in front of any private road or driveway, including 2 feet in either direction from the driveway or private way."
http://www.ci.somerville.ma.us/CoS_Content/documents/TrafficRegulations.pdf

But my guess is that the "2 feet" rule isn't enforced. The law doesn't call for any penalties unless you are "Obstructing" a driveway. So, if the driveway isn't blocked, my guess is the police won't get a ticket.
http://www.somervillema.gov/Section.cfm?org=TRAFFIC&page=1047

Similarly, the law also bans parking on a city street "for a period of time exceeding 24 consecutive hours, whether the vehicle is
disabled or not and preparations are being made by the owner or operator for its removal. Article
X Sec 10-5 (i)." But the city only lists a penalty ($20) for parking more than 48 hours in one spot. (Seems weird to me.)

[josephineave.livejournal.com]

Depending on the street, parking within 2 feet may make it impossible to get out of the driveway. You will even see some residents have painted lines or put up signs to stop encroaching. I'm lucky that my curb cut is huge and I can give a parker up to a foot of my cut before they get a nasty note.

This is for the Mini Cooper drivers out there: You can park 2 cars your size in the break between driveways. No fair taking up a whole spot by yourself.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

I suspect the 20-foot law is as much to do with a good faith effort as anything else. I don't think if you're 18 feet away from the intersection you're getting ticketed. The OP is practically planted in the damn crosswalk.