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What Indiana Laws Say About Parking

Most drivers are well aware of the major traffic laws—at the very least, those that are likely to get you a ticket if you violate them. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who is unfamiliar with the dangers of speeding, the possibility of an arrest for driving under the influence, and the consequences of running red lights and stop signs.

But most of the traffic laws people are familiar with cover vehicles that are actually in motion. What happens when they’re stopped? Indiana’s laws cover just about everything associated with driving, including parking—and many of the laws associated with parking may surprise you. Check out this list to learn a few new facts and potentially save yourself from getting a ticket.

Here’s Where You Can’t Park in Indiana

Parking is pretty simple most of the time. You park in your driveaway or garage at home, and you park in a parking lot or curbside parking space when you’re at work, at the store, or visiting any other public place. But there are many situations that come up where parking isn’t quite so simple, and making the wrong move and parking in the wrong place can put you and others in danger, and cause you to get an expensive citation.

Under Indiana law, you can’t park in the following places:

  • On sidewalks (keep your tires off the curb when street parking!) – This also includes parking over the sidewalk crossing a driveway
  • In front of driveways, whether they’re residential or commercial
  • Within 15 feet of fire hydrants and fire station entrances
  • Within 20 feet of crosswalks
  • Within 50 feet of railroad crossings
  • On bridges and inside tunnels
  • Anywhere with signs indicating “No Parking” – Read carefully, as parking may be conditional by date and time on some streets
  • In reserved handicapped parking spaces if your vehicle doesn’t have a valid handicapped tag (this is true even if you are only parked temporarily, or waiting in the car – even if you are “just running in for something” you cannot use a handicapped parking spot)

Those are just a few examples of places where it’s forbidden for drivers to park. Private businesses can also incorporate their own parking rules. For example, it’s within their right to boot, ticket, or tow vehicles that are parked in violation of their policies.

Keep These Parking Tips in Mind

When finding a place to park, always look for street signs that indicate where it’s illegal to park. In addition, pay attention to restrictions based on time of day, maximum amount of time to park, and whether parking requires paying a meter or kiosk. It’s also important to check the direction of vehicles and for any signage indicating that parking must be done in a certain direction, as some spaces may be back-in only.

When street or parallel parking, try to get your tires as close to the curb as possible, and always park with your vehicle facing the same direction as traffic. Be cautious when parking near “No Parking” zones, as you may be at risk of getting a ticket or even being towed if even a small part of your vehicle crosses over into those restricted areas.

Negligent Parking Can Lead to Accidents

Improperly parked vehicles can be a major nuisance, as they can block entrances and roads. But they can also put people at risk, especially when they cause drivers to enter or exit areas without full visibility. For examples, drivers who pull through parking spaces, especially in crowded parking lots, can hit pedestrians or crash into other vehicles, while drivers who parallel parked facing the wrong direction may put others at risk when attempting to make U-turns.

At Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin, our Indiana auto accident lawyers fight for the rights of all injured car accident victims, whether they were injured on interstates or in parking lots. Contact us today after a crash that wasn’t your fault—we’re here to help.

Reach out to a Terre Haute Personal Injury Attorney Today

The financial burden that often comes with a serious injury can be too much for many people to bear. Unexpected medical debt, damaged personal property, and the sudden loss of income can impact the budgets of most families. The good news is that a successful injury claim could help reduce that financial strain after a serious accident. Get in touch with a Terre Haute personal injury lawyer with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin to learn more.

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