San Francisco Faces Traffic Tangle with California’s Intersection Parking Restrictions

In a significant move towards enhancing pedestrian safety, California has enforced a new statewide pedestrian-safety law, effective from January 1. The legislation, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in October, aims to create safer conditions for pedestrians by prohibiting parking within 20 feet of either side of a marked or unmarked crosswalk. This crucial initiative, part of California’s ongoing efforts to prioritize pedestrian well-being, not only serves to protect vulnerable road users but also aligns with broader traffic safety goals.

The law, designed to increase the distance between parked cars and crosswalks, addresses the issue of visibility known as “daylighting.” Daylighting ensures that pedestrians are easily visible to drivers approaching the crosswalk, eliminating the need for individuals on foot to navigate around parked cars to determine a clear path for crossing. This is particularly vital for the safety of children, who may be less visible at intersections.

San Francisco, a city known for its commitment to pedestrian safety through initiatives like Vision Zero, has been at the forefront of implementing daylighting measures. A decade ago, the city launched Vision Zero with the ambitious goal of eliminating all traffic deaths by 2024. While facing challenges in meeting this target, the recent law is a step forward in reinforcing the city’s commitment to prioritizing pedestrian safety.

Under the new law, drivers in California are prohibited from parking within 20 feet of a marked or unmarked crosswalk, regardless of whether the curb is painted red. The cleared space allows for better visibility, benefiting both pedestrians and drivers. The San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency (SFMTA) has initiated the process of issuing warnings for violations of the new law. However, the imposition of fines will not begin until 2025, in line with the phased implementation of the legislation.

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Daylighting is not a novel concept in San Francisco. In 2015, as part of the Vision Zero initiative, SFMTA started enforcing daylighting measures at 80 intersections in the Tenderloin, a neighborhood notorious for pedestrian fatalities. This involved painting curbs red to prevent parking near crosswalks. The success of this initiative prompted the Board of Supervisors in 2019 to urge SFMTA to expand and enforce daylighting measures at additional intersections across the city.

By the end of this year, SFMTA aims to have every intersection on the city’s High Injury Network equipped with red-painted curbs to enforce daylighting. The High Injury Network comprises streets where more than two-thirds of severe and fatal traffic crashes occur.

California’s new law also addresses variations in curb markings. If the curb is painted red near a crosswalk or intersection, drivers must adhere to that distance, even if it is less than 20 feet. If there is no paint or signage, drivers should maintain a 20-foot distance, applying this standard uniformly across the state.

While the law came into effect on January 1, local agencies, including SFMTA, are initially issuing warnings for violations this year. This grace period allows for public awareness and education on the new regulations. SFMTA will commence issuing citations and fines for violations in 2025, regardless of the type of curb. The specific fine amount is yet to be disclosed.

In conclusion, California’s proactive approach to pedestrian safety through the implementation of the statewide parking law reflects a commitment to creating safer road environments. As cities like San Francisco lead the way in embracing and enforcing such measures, the state anticipates a significant reduction in pedestrian accidents, fostering a culture of responsible and secure road use