Many families have more than one car and have trouble fitting them all into their driveway, but parking across a sidewalk could result in a citation.
Parking a vehicle so that it blocks a sidewalk entirely or partially is a violation of the Michigan Vehicle Code Act 300 of 1949. Most cities also have local ordinances that regulate parking and carry fines.
In Lansing, for instance, police will write citations if you block sidewalks.
“Parking Enforcement staff are patrolling, they will write citations to anyone impeding on the sidewalk. They and LPD (Lansing Police Department) will also respond to calls from neighbors as quickly as possible,” Lansing Director of Communications Scott Bean said in an email on March 6.
Blocking a sidewalk may cause inconvenience for some but also can result in injuries.
“Blocking a sidewalk is dangerous for those with physical disabilities, sight impairment, elderly people, children, people pushing strollers, etc.,” Bean said.
Here’s more on the Michigan Vehicle Code for blocking the sidewalk.
Is it illegal to block the sidewalk with my car?
Yes. Blocking a public sidewalk is illegal in Michigan, per Michigan Vehicle Code Act 300 of 1949.
“A vehicle must not be parked, except if necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the law or the directions of a police officer or traffic-control device, in any of the following places: on a sidewalk, in front of a public or private driveway, within an intersection, within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, on a crosswalk…” the law says.
It’s a civil infraction if caught parking on a sidewalk.
There are exceptions in the law, including to avoid conflict in traffic or to follow directions from a police officer or traffic-control device.
How much are fines for blocking a sidewalk?
Here’s a look at how much fines are in some Greater Lansing locations:
Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Is it legal to park on a sidewalk? Why you should avoid blocking walks
Reporting by Sarah Moore, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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