Parking Too Close to a Crosswalk

Questions: How close is parking too close to a crosswalk? How do you figure out exactly where to park at an unmarked intersection where the curb provides access to a wheelchair? What is the approach side of a crosswalk? How do you prove that you parked at the proper distance?

People here are getting ticketed in large numbers every day!

When Stopping is Prohibited

The Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) rules apply everywhere in British Columbia. It say the following about parking near crosswalks:

189 (1) Except when necessary to avoid conflict with traffic or to comply with the law or the directions of a peace officer or traffic control device, a person must not stop, stand or park a vehicle as follows:

(f) within 6 m of the approach side of a crosswalk;

Definition of Crosswalk

This is the definition of a crosswalk found in the MVA:

(a) a portion of the roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by signs or by lines or other markings on the surface, or

(b) the portion of a highway at an intersection that is included within the connection of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on the opposite sides of the highway, or within the extension of the lateral lines of the sidewalk on one side of the highway, measured from the curbs, or in the absence of curbs, from the edges of the roadway;

The Approach Side of a Crosswalk

The approach side of a crosswalk is the side closest to you as you drive up to it.

Deciding for This Situation

In the situation described at the start of this article, we need to look at (b) for the definition of crosswalk. Extend the lines of the sidewalk and make sure that you leave 6 m of space between the front of your vehicle and the nearest edge of the approach side.

The idea is that you leave space for drivers approaching the crosswalk to see a pedestrian that is crossing from left to right before they get too close to the path of travel.

When There is no Sidewalk

It gets tricky when there is no sidewalk. Remember that a sidewalk is "the area between the curb lines or lateral lines of a roadway and the adjacent property lines improved for the use of pedestrians."

I would stay back from the property line (fence, hedge), start of the curve of the curb or perhaps 8 m back of the edge of the cross road. Being too far back is preferable to being too close!

Parking In Municipalities

Municipal bylaws control parking within their boundaries. These bylaws cannot be created to be inconsistent with the MVA. This means that the 6 m limit also applies for bylaw tickets.

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