California No-Parking Buffer

California drivers will need to double check where they park this year as a new law on the books has created a no-parking buffer around marked and unmarked pedestrian crosswalks.

Drivers are typically not allowed to park their vehicles in the middle of an intersection, on a crosswalk, in front of marked curbs, in a way that blocks access to fire hydrants or too close to a fire station entrance, among other prohibited parking spots.

Now drivers will need to consider the areas around crosswalks as no-park zones because of Assembly Bill 413, which prohibits the stopping, standing or parking of a vehicle within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of any unmarked or marked crosswalk or 15 feet of any crosswalk where a curb extension is present.

Drivers will need to get into the habit of leaving a 20-foot gap between their vehicles and any marked or unmarked crosswalks. Assembly Bill 413 does not specify what constitutes an unmarked crosswalk and whether that applies to a sidewalk curb or ramp.

In Leisure World, sidewalk curbing at marked crosswalks is painted red.

California’s pedestrian fatality rate is nearly 25% higher than the national average, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety.