Drivers rage ‘do not do this’ as ‘daylighting’ law goes into effect with new fines – and it’ll make parking a nightmare
DRIVERS are seething over a new law that will make parking more challenging to find.
Beginning January 1, 2025, California‘s new daylighting rule will go into effect, prohibiting vehicles from parking within 20 feet of any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
On Monday, parking officials in San Francisco started to implement the daylighting rule.
Drivers in San Francisco who are caught disobeying the new parking rule will be issued a warning.
However, starting the New Year, car owners will face fines for violating the rule, with tickets depending on the jurisdiction.
Some car owners in San Francisco were angry over the new regulation, saying parking in the city is already challenging to come by.
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“I think they should not do this at this time,” Masie Wong told NBC affiliate KNTV.
“They should at least wait for the economy to get better.”
Wong, who owns an AC trading company, told the outlet she had to shut one of her locations in the downtown area due to the limited parking spaces.
Celina Preciado said the new law will make shopping and dining in the city more difficult.
“It’s already hard to find parking as it is,” Preciado said.
“We probably will have to use public transportation now more often.”
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In San Francisco, fines will start at $40.
The new legislation is expected to eliminate at least 14,000, or 5%, of San Francisco’s parking spaces.
While drivers complain about the new obstacle, city officials insist the rule will help pedestrian safety.
“This is an important step toward improving safety on our City streets,” Bethany Bezak, the director of the San Diego Transportation Department, said.
“Working together, we can prevent needless crashes and save lives simply by changing how and where we park vehicles.
“This new law will bring us closer to our Vision Zero goals and a future where everyone in San Dieg may safely walk and wide.”
The Vision Zero network aims to eliminate traffic-related fatalities across the world.
Pedestrian Neema Esfandiari praised the law, telling ABC affiliate KABC-TV, “People’s lives are more important than a little extra time looking for parking.
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“And I don’t think it’s going to change too much.”
“It allows the driver to see pedestrians in the crosswalk and the pedestrian to see the driver that’s coming. It’s very simple [and] inexpensive,” Jodie Mezeiros of Walk SF told 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.