How to Beat a NYC Parking Ticket for Blocking a Pedestrian Ramp
Posted by Larry Berezin on Sun, Aug 09, 2009 @ 11:56 AM
A holiday from a NYC parking ticket
One small step for man, one giant leap for the NYC driving public. There is relief from a NYC parking ticket for parking in front of a pedestrian ramp. A change
in the NYC Traffic Rules, which went into effect on December 26, 2008, makes it clear that:
"Unless a pedestrian ramp is situated at a marked or unmarked crosswalk, as defined by the Traffic Rules, a summons should not be issued for blocking the ramp. Specifically, a pedestrian ramp located on the long street of a 'T' intersection may be blocked by parked vehicles, unless the crosswalk is marked, or there is a traffic sign or signal controlling all opposing traffic"
Reason for change
There was a conflict in the Traffic Rule contained in Section 4-01(b) defining "crosswalk," and the Traffic Rule contained in Section 4-08(f)(7), which makes blocking a pedestrian ramp illegal. This inconsistency came to light during a City Council hearing about the NYC police department issuing summons for parking vehicles in front of pedestrian ramps located in the middle of blocks.
The validity of the summons were questioned because of a 2005 change in the Traffic Rules, redefining "crosswalks." The Rule change was intended to discourage the use of pedestrian ramps unless they were situated at a "safe" crosswalk, and not in the middle of a block where there were no traffic signs or signals controlling oncoming traffic.
Summary:
The driving public may park alongside a pedestrian ramp, located on the long street of a "T" intersection, when:
- There is no marked crosswalk leading from the pedestrian ramp to the opposite side of the street
- There is no traffic sign or signal controlling all opposing traffic
For example, if you see a parking space alongside a pedestrian ramp on the long street of a "T" intersection, make sure that there is no marked crosswalk running from the pedestrian ramp to the opposite side of the street.
Or, if you see a parking space alongside a pedestrian ramp on the long street of a "T" intersection, make sure that there are no traffic signs or traffic signals controlling opposing traffic; such as a stop sign signaling vehicles to stop so that pedestrians may cross the street using the pedestrian ramp.
Remember, notwithstanding the recent amendment, a vehicle can never park alongside a pedestrian ramp located at a 4 corner intersection.
Commentary :
Bravo to the NY City Council for listening to its constituents, and voting for a sensible change in the NYC parking rules; and members of the driving public who fought for a change in the NY parking law they knew was right. This is another example of the right way for NYC government to work.
How about the NYC parking ticket warriors that still issue a summons to the parking public based upon the old law? And, the hearing officials that do not dismiss parking tickets they know are issued illegally? Shame on both of you!
A special thanks goes out to a client of New York Parking Ticket LLC for bringing this issue to our attention, and helping us educate the driving public about the change in the NYC Traffic Rules . Share your knowledge and information, and we shall continue to publicize the news.
Please comment. Your opinion matters to us
If you found this article helpful, you may wish to share it with your friends. Simply click on the above social media buttons of your choice. Thanks, Larry