Drivers face $25 on-the-spot fines over new ‘daylight’ law – and the rules apply even if there are no warning signs
DRIVERS have been warned that they risk being slapped with fines as cops start to enforce a new parking law.
A daylighting measure, which became law earlier this year, is now being enforced in cities and offenders could see on-the-spot penalties.
Drivers risk parking tickets if they fall foul of a new law (stock)Alamy
And drivers who are not following the letter of the law could be slapped with $25 fines as a result.
The law focuses on how drivers park their cars.
Those who park within 20 feet of a crosswalk will be at risk of being issued with penalties.
Drivers have also been warned that the law applies even if there are zero no-parking zones.
The $25 penalty applies to drivers in Sacramento, per the Fox affiliate KTXL-TV.
The law came into force in January, but fines were not issued for the first six months.
During this period, Sacramento parking wardens gave notices to drivers.
Signs and other notices were erected near to some curbs.
The bill which featured the daylighting law was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in October 2023.
Although it was signed into law, it didn’t come into force until more than a year later.
In the run-up to fines being issued, curbs across San Francisco were being painted in a bid to warn drivers, according to Axios.
It’s estimated that intersections in the city will be painted by the end of 2026.
In San Francisco, drivers have been warned that they risk $108 fines if they fall foul of the daylighting law.
The U.S. Sun reported how one homeowner was furious when he was issued with a ticket for parking in his driveway.
How to fight a parking ticket
You can avoid being ticketed by following all posted laws and ordinances, but sometimes mistakes are made
Like any form of citation, parking tickets are preventable by reading and obeying posted signage. However, when visiting a new city, or state, or in a hurry, things can be missed and mistakes are made.
Suddenly there’s a ticket you weren’t prepared to pay for. If the ticket is a surprise to you, there are a few things you can do to help your case when appealing a parking ticket.
Carefully read the ticket. Look for errors like incorrect street names, license plate numbers, vehicle make and model, time and date, etc. Errors would then make the ticket invalid.
Take photos. Of the vehicle in the parking space, lack of signage, or other vehicles that weren’t cited for performing the same parking job. If the ticket involves parking too close to something like a fire hydrant, a photo showing a reasonable distance would help your case. Make sure metadata with the time and date are accessible. Signs that are obstructed by trees, or are on bent posts, or aren’t “obvious” are great things to photograph, too.
Make sure the statute that was violated is listed on the ticket. If not listed, the ticket is not valid.
Promptly follow the appeal instructions on the ticket. All legitimate tickets will have directions for appeal. Waiting until the very last moment weakens your argument and can result in late fees.
When in court, avoid these phrases as they reduce your credibility and weaken your argument: I didn’t know the law; I was on my way to move my car; I can’t afford this ticket; I’ve been doing this for years; or I checked with the parking officer, who said it was OK.
Contact a lawyer. If you’re running into roadblocks and feel stuck, it may be best to reach out to a traffic lawyer in your area. Many have free case consultations.
Source: Reader’s Digest
Fines differ across the country, with Berkeley drivers at risk of receiving $68.
But, penalties will rise to $96 when the California Golden Bears team is playing, according to the city.
City officials say that they are working to paint curbs red where the daylighting law applies.
In San Diego, drivers received warnings for the first 60 days of the law.
However, from March 1, the city had the power to issue $65 fines.
Drivers were also warned they would have to pay an extra $12.50 in admin costs.
GettyPoliceman stops woman driver to give her a traffic ticket for speeding. He takes her driver’s license.[/caption]
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