Many drivers feel confused everyday about where they can stop or park their cars. In various downtime areas, around 60% of parking spaces are in use most days. Study also shows that almost 30% of city traffic jams are due to drivers looking for a place to park.
The major reason for this problem is when you see signs such as no parking or no standing, but you don’t know the clear regulations. Therefore we prepared this guide to tell you parking vs standing and the rules you need to follow.
What Does Parking Mean?
When you stop your vehicle and leave it for a short or long time it is called parking. There are various types of parking facilities. For example: on street, parking lots, private and public parking. Generally, you can park at one or both sides of the road.
However, there are also some restrictions which you need to consider. If you want to use or design parking space, you have to follow rules and standards of the local government or traffic authorities.
What Does No Standing Mean?
No standing means you are allowed to stop your vehicle but you have to stay inside or near the car. You can only stop to pick up or drop off people. Further, you can not wait for passengers to arrive in no standing zone. But, when you load or unload goods, it is a violation of parking rules and you may also get a ticket.
Difference Between Parking and Standing
No Parking or Standing Sign
What does no parking sign mean? When you see the “no parking anytime” sign, it means parking is strictly not allowed in that area. It is regulated by MUTCD R7-1 standard. These signs show you “No Parking”or only red symbols. You might also observe a small red no parking sign placed for clarity.
What does no standing sign mean? In congested zones, you will notice no standing signs. These signs warn you that you can stop for a short time and for only passengers pick/drop. You have to follow the MUTCD R7-4 standard for these signs. Remember, no standing signs are only for people.
Allowed Actions
In the parking area, authorities give permission to stop your car at the curb. Also, you can load and unload your packages or groceries. You can also park your car for a longer time allowed by sign.
For standing, you can only stop a car to pick or drop off passengers but can’t wait. You have to keep moving your vehicle and continue to your destination.
Not Allowed Activities
You cannot park for a long time, lock your car or walk away in no parking sign zone. Plus, you should never park in a way which blocks traffic. It’s also illegal to park in front of driveways, loading areas, on sidewalks or walkways. If you need to unload boxes or deliveries, you have to use special loading zones.
For no standing locations, you still cannot wait for anyone or load and unload items when you are present at the driving seat. You should avoid leaving your car alone (not for a few seconds). Because, when you stop in a no standing zone and not follow rules, you may get a ticket or your vehicle could be towed.
Standort
Mostly, you will see no Parkschilder or locations in crowded city streets. The traffic department installed them to make the flow of traffic smooth and risk free. Moreover, you can notice these signs near fire hydrants, busy intersections, private lands and in loading zones.
If we talk about no standing areas or signs, they are placed where you need to avoid traffic delays and jams. For example: you can spot them in areas such as taxi stands, bus stops, busy junctions, school & commercial zones.
Zeitdauer
Generally, parking lets you stop your vehicle for an extended period (15 minutes to several hours). Hence, you can step away and perform your work such as shopping or business related tasks.
However, standing is only for a very short stop. As we mentioned, you can only quickly pick up or drop off passengers. Well, it is safe to stop only for 2 to 3 minutes in a standing spot.
MUTCD Requirements
For no parking signs, you need to follow MUTCD R7-1 standard. This means, the sign must be at least 12 by 18 inches. You should install a parking sign which is easy to see from a distance.
In contrast, no standing signs follow the R7-4 standard. However, the minimum size is the same as the parking sign which is 12 in × 18 in.
Areas Where Parking is Prohibited
No parking zone is an area where parking is completely not allowed. For example: you cannot park in places which lead to blockage of traffic, emergency vehicles or pedestrians.
These include sidewalks, intersections, crosswalks, bridges and fire hydrants (within 3 to 6 meters). You are also restricted to park at bus stops, near railway crossings, on the wrong side of the road plus anywhere you see “No Parking” signs.
How To Avoid Parking Tickets?
You should always watch for parking signs and follow the time limits mentioned on board. It’s also important to park only in marked spaces. To stay safe, you have to avoid parking in locations we told you above.
If no parking sign is posted and you stop your vehicle, this is the violation of rules. As a result, you will get a bylaw ticket. However, the police may give you a violation ticket if you are outside city limits.
Areas Where Standing is Not Allowed
In no standing zone, you cannot stop your vehicle at all. If you stay inside the car and the engine is also operating, it’s still a violation of no standing sign. You may also observe red or yellow painted curbs to mark these zones.
You must avoid standing at intersections, crosswalks, pedestrian safety zones and on bridges. You can also face fines if you stop your car in tunnels, near railroad tracks, on narrow streets or expressways. The major reason is that traffic authorities want to keep these all locations clear for emergency access.
Can You Park in a No Standing Zone?
No, you cannot park in a no standing zone. Because, these areas do not allow parking at all. When you notice a no standing sign, it means you cannot stop your vehicle. Except if you want to quickly pick up or drop off passengers. But, you have to move your motor vehicle when needed. For more clarity and additional knowledge, you can read this reddit post.
Why Do Signs Say No Standing Instead of No Parking?
Authorities placed no standing signs when they wanted to inform you about more strict laws for the safety of critical locations. Because, these signs indicate stronger and urgent restrictions as compared to no parking signs.
This is because no parking boards may allow active loading or unloading of passengers/goods. In comparison, no standing clearly restricts waiting and only permits a very brief stop.
Safety of Parking and Standing Zone
Speed bumps and humps: Bremsschwellen and humps are placed to slow down motor vehicles in parking lots. Generally, you will spot speed bumps & humps in busy intersections.
Wheel stops (parking blocks): Radstopper are physical devices placed at the end of parking space. They stop cars from rolling.
Pavement markings: Es gibt painted lines and symbols you can see on roads known as pavement markings. These lines basically show you parking spaces & no parking zones.
Bollards: Parking bollards are strong vertical safety devices in parking lots. You can install them to manage traffic and protect pedestrians.
Convex mirrors: Mostly, wide angle mirrors placed at blind spots, corners or exits. They guide drivers, so you can see oncoming traffic and avoid collisions.
Loading zone signs: You can see signs in parking spaces which mark areas where you can load or unload goods/passengers.
Traffic cones & delineator posts: Sie können Jackwin’s safety cones Und Leitpfosten to guide traffic, block areas or indicate hazards. They are reflective for visibility and ideal for temporary road or parking changes.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Is It Legal To Double Park?
It’s totally illegal to park your vehicle next to another car which is already parked at the curb. Because, it can block traffic plus create danger for other drivers. Hence, most traffic rules do not allow double parking. If you double park, you may get a ticket or your vehicle may be towed as well.
Will It Be Considered Parking if You Are in the Car?
Yes, it is basically considered parking when your car is stopped in a restricted area and you stay inside. Some rules say short stops “waiting,” but traffic officers can still give tickets unless you are quickly handling passengers or an officer has asked you to stop.
Can You Park in a No Standing Zone After Hours?
Yes, you can commonly park in a no standing zone after the hours you see on the sign. But, this is allowed as long as you notice no other restrictions. These include fire hydrants or overnight rules. No standing means you cannot stop to wait. But parking is generally allowed outside the restricted times.
Schlussbemerkung
To summarize, you should always read signs, follow time limits, local rules and park/stop in the right area. In case you see no signs of parking or standing, you must drive a short distance and find a clearly marked area or painted curbs.
JACKWIN is a professional supplier of parking and road safety products from the past 18 years. You can Kontaktieren Sie uns for all types of parking safety solutions.
