Everything Traffic Safety
Q: Could you address the rules and regulations on angle parking? In Fairhaven big trucks seem to hang out into the narrow street when they’re parked in the diagonal parking along the street.
A: The rule you’re looking for is in Washington Administrative Code 308-330-433. You’re not allowed to park a car in such a way as to leave less than ten feet of roadway available for traffic. Continue reading “Angle Parking and Bike Helmets”
Q: What is the law concerned handicapped parking spaces? Must a handicapped person always be present to justify their use? Can abuses be reported, and to whom? Is there a fine that can be imposed to those who misuse a permit?
A: Working backwards through the questions; yes, yes (the police), yes, and you’ll find the laws in chapter 46.19 of the RCW. That’s the super-short summary; now let’s dig in. To start with, I know that we usually use the term “handicapped parking”, but the Revised Code of Washington titled the chapter “Special Parking Privileges for Persons With Disabilities”, and throughout the chapter refers to “special parking privileges” so I’ll be using that term here. I just wanted to point that out so we all know we’re talking about the same thing. Continue reading “Disabled Parking And The Law”
Q: Is it legal to pull into an angled parking space on the opposite side of the street (in front of the Bellingham Public Library, for example)?
A: I’ll begin by assuming that in this scenario, the driver pulls nose first into the parking spot rather than backing into it. If my assumption is incorrect, this is a simple question to answer. RCW 46.61.575 requires that drivers park “in the direction of authorized traffic movement.” Backing into angled parking on the opposite side of the street would be a violation of the law. But nose first, that’s a different story. Continue reading “Crossing the Street for Angled Parking”
Q: A driver who was paralleled parked backed up to get more space in front in order to leave, but in the process, bumped into the car behind. The driver got out, looked at the two cars’ bumpers, and drove off. As a pedestrian, I observed this happen and noticed that there didn’t seem to be any damage to the other car’s bumper. Did the driver handle this situation correctly?
A: I suspect that the scenario you described happens with moderate frequency. I know I’ve witnessed similar events, where a driver checks for damage from a parking lot bump, and seeing none, leaves. I’m willing to bet that most people think, “No damage, no foul.” But even though that’s how drivers often handle the situation, it doesn’t make it right according to the law. Continue reading “Bumper Cars and Parking Karma”