Double parking refers to parking parallel to a car already parked at the curb, double parking in attended car parks and garages, multi-space parking, or taking two metered spots with one vehicle.
The reason why double parking is illegal and spark so many aghast feelings from everyone is that someone does that, other vehicles in the first row are prevented from departing and more often than not, double parking obstructs traffic line or bike line.
Some areas in which people are allowed to double park would usually require the driver to leave the hand brake off to allow the other driver to push the double-parked car forward or backward.
Double parking is officially illegal in front of the law. Some couriers and delivery services companies, however, allow their drivers to do so. If they are ticketed, then the ticket would be submitted at the end of their shift. The tickets will be kept and will be paid at the end of the month. The reason why couriers and delivery services instruct their drivers to do so is that rather than wasting time in searching for legal and empty parking spot, they would rather pay the fine.
However, in car parks and garages where every space is equal to the amount of money that the owner would receive every month, space is very crucial. In-car parks or garages, they would usually maximize the space by double parking car next to each other. This is especially done when there is a valet whom you can leave your cars keys or leave the car’s hand brake release so that they will be able to move cars around.
Double Parking in Florida
In Florida it is stated that when parking on a public road, the driver should move away as far away from traffic as possible. If there is a roadside shoulder, the driver is advised to pull as far onto it as you can.
The distance from the curb, you have to pull at least one foot away. The drivers have to always park on the right side of the road, unless if it is one way. Cars have to be left unmovable.
However, there is a list of places where parking is not allowed such as: in front of sideways, within intersections, within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, within 15 feet of an intersection, within 20 feet of entrance to a fire, ambulance or rescue squad, but also on the roadside of another parked vehicle which refers to double parking.
Double Parking in California
In the state of California, there are a couple of differences regarding parking rules. Parking in the state of California, drivers are not allowed to park on the shoulder of a freeway except in an emergency. Drivers are not recommended to park on the shoulder of major highways and roads.
Same as the state of Florida, the driver is not allowed to park in front of a street-fire hydrant, or in any way that makes access to the hydrant difficult in case of a fire. Drivers are also not allowed to park in an intersection, pedestrian crosswalks, driveway, etc.
Parking on some of major suburban or suburban roads is also prohibited during commute and rush hours.
There is a consistent statewide color scheme all over California for marking on-street parking areas in cities and towns;
- Where parking and stopping are prohibited, the curb’s color is red.
- White is where you are allowed to stop to pick someone up or drop them off without parking
- Yellow means that it is alright to stop for a short while to deliver something or this is where the commercial vehicles can stop to deliver things for a short while.
- Green where the driver can park for a short time – usually 15 to 30 minutes.
- Blue indicates a parking space reserved for cars with an official DMV handicapped or license plate.
In California, it is allowed to double-park, according to California Vehicle Code 22502. However, this is only allowed for the commercial vehicles who are permitted to double park when reasonably necessary to accomplish the loading and unloading of merchandise or passengers.
However, unless you are a commercial vehicle, you are not allowed to double park. This is especially in San Fransisco. The reason for the ban is because when you do so, you risk your vehicle and the safety of others. When someone double-parks, they would impede traffic lanes and bike lanes, and it will force the motorists and cyclists to maneuver out and around them. In most cases, into oncoming traffic.
Double parking in new york
Traffic and highway rules stated that double parking is defined as standing or parking on the roadway side of a vehicle stopped, standing or parked at the curb, in other words, double parking.
The parking rules in new york also only allow a commercial vehicle to stand alongside a vehicle parked at the curb at such locations and during such hours that stopping, standing, and parking is not prohibited when expeditiously making pickup, deliveries or service calls. This is only allowed when there is no parking space or designated loading zone on either side of the road.
Double parking in Texas
In Texas, there are numerous regulations and laws that ensure drivers park properly. In Texas, it is illegal to park your vehicles in the crosswalk, sidewalk or within an intersection. It is also said to be illegal to park between a safety zone and adjacent curb. These rules can also be found in most of the other states.
The driver has to ensure to park at least 30 feet away from the opposite end of the safety zone when parking. Whether the vehicle is occupied or not, cars are not allowed to park or stand a vehicle in the front of a public or private driveaway.
Unlike other states that allow double parking for commercial vehicles, in the state of Texas, none is allowed to do double parking.