New parking rule in San Francisco: no parking near crosswalks

SAN FRANCISCO - Starting on Monday, San Francisco will begin alerting drivers to a new parking restriction. The rule prohibits parking within 20 feet of any crosswalk in the direction of traffic.

The SFMTA says this change aims to increase visibility at intersections where vehicles might turn right. A video released by SFMTA on YouTube explains, "If cars or parklets are too close to the crosswalk, drivers can't see who's about to cross the street."

The new rule is part of a state law passed earlier this year, intended to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists by making them more visible to drivers.

Marta Lindsey from Walk SF said, "Now that vehicles are getting so much bigger. If you can't see [the intersection] as a driver, you can't see as a pedestrian - and it creates a very risky situation." Walk SF reports 21 people have been struck and killed by vehicles while walking on San Francisco streets this year; more than at this time last year.

For now, SFMTA will issue written warnings to violators. Some San Francisco residents, like Carrie Parker, support the change despite parking concerns: "It's a bummer because parking in the city is so hard to find. But it's more important we save pedestrians."

Others, like Wendy Bonnell, worry the rule might impact local businesses. "There are so few parking spaces," she said, "It's probably going to affect the businesses in the area." 

Martha Monroy, owner of Martha & Brothers Coffee Shop in Noe Valley, expressed concern over losing four parking spots near her shop. "We depend on parking. Workers are trying to park to come get their coffee. It's not good at all," Monroy said.

Lindsey added that similar laws have been in place in 40 other states for years. "California is finally catching up. This has been shown to reduce pedestrian crashes up to 30 percent."

The SFMTA says it lacks resources to paint all affected curbs red, so drivers will need to be mindful of the rule. Starting today, written warnings will be issued; fines of $40 per violation begin in January.