Drivers can be cited for blocking traffic lane and parking too far from curb
RAPID CITY, SD—In the first six months of the year, the City’s Parking Enforcement Division has issued 56 obstructing traffic citations for vehicles extending into the lane of travel.
City officials are reminding drivers of extended cab and large vehicles about parking options in the downtown area.
“We have a significant number of large, extended vehicles that will be parked downtown on any given day,” said City Parking Operations Manager Anna Gilligan. “We receive a lot of citizen calls about this issue, about larger vehicles extending into traffic.”
City officials fielded similar concerns the last three summers, issuing similar advisories regarding potential traffic impacts of large vehicles parked in the downtown area. Many of the citizen complaints involve extended cab vehicles such as pickups and other large vehicles protruding into traffic lanes while parked along Saint Joseph Street and Main Street.
More complaints and concerns are fielded in the spring and summer months due to larger volumes of traffic.
City officials encourage drivers with extended cab or large vehicles in the affected area to park on a side street in order to avoid impacting or blocking traffic. The side streets run north-south and are only two lanes, which can accommodate extended-cab vehicles without impeding the flow of traffic.
According to Municipal Code 10.40.040, a vehicle must be parked entirely within the parking space designated by painted lines, must be headed in the direction of travel, and must park within 12 inches of the curb. Vehicles that extend into the traffic lane are subject to citations.
Gilligan said violations of this matter are handled promptly by parking enforcement officers with the goal of mitigating the safety hazard. Officers will attempt to contact the registered owner of the vehicle, but if contact cannot be made, the vehicle is towed at the owner’s expense.
To report safety hazards, such as vehicles obstructing traffic, call the Rapid City Police Department’s non-emergency line at 605-394-4131. For general parking concerns in the downtown area, contact the City’s Parking Enforcement Division at 605-394-6098.