The Law Dictionary

Your Free Online Legal Dictionary • Featuring Black’s Law Dictionary, 2nd Ed.

What Is Double Parking?

What Is Double Parking

If you’ve ever been to a city, you know that parking can be a nightmare. You can spend hours driving around in circles looking for a spot, only to find one that’s too small or the wrong way around. And don’t even think about parking on the street! But what are your other options? Many people turn to double parking. While it may seem like a quick and easy fix, double parking can often lead to problems. In this article, we will answer the question, what is double parking?

What Is Double Parking?

Double parking is when one driver of a vehicle parks directly behind or next to another vehicle that is parallel parked, making it difficult to remove his car from the street.

Double parking can also cause more traffic congestion, and drivers are prone to making more accidents. Not only so, but persons are also likely to receive traffic fines. 

Double Parking

 

How To Avoid Double Parking

Double parking isn’t the safest thing to do, and anyone caught doing so can be fined. There is another alternative individuals can do to avoid doing that making it easier for themselves and other drivers. 

If you’re driving on a busy street and notice that there are already other vehicles parked where you usually do, then the safest thing you can do is make a couple of rounds about the street. If there is no chance of parking on that street you want, you can park a little further from where you usually do to get to your destination. Besides, nothing beats a little exercise! 

Another option could be leaving your car at home and taking the bus or train to get to where you’re going or paying for your parking stall in advance to avoid looking around and having other drivers take your spot. 

How To Avoid Double Parking

 

What To Do If You’re Double-Parked?

If you have been in a situation where someone has double-parked you, the safest thing you can do is remain calm, try your best not to get angry, then call the police, and they will take it from there by maybe towing out the vehicle

If you don’t want to involve law enforcement, the other option would be to wait it out. Maybe be patient until the driver of the vehicle who double-parked you returns to move their car. 

What To Do If You're Double-Parked

How Do I Know If I Have Outstanding Traffic Tickets?

The Consequences Of Double Parking

Double parking is illegal, and this can lead to traffic violation fines. Each state has different traffic violation fines for doing so, for example:

  • New York – $115
  • Kansas – $50 to $100
  • Kentucky – $25 and up
  • Colorado – $10
  • Arkansas – $20
  • California – $65

The obstruction of traffic, especially in the busy city, is unbearable and can get drivers very irritated, leading to accidents. Furthermore, the persons who double park would make it very difficult for other drivers to remove their vehicles.

Disclaimer

This article contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. The Law Dictionary is not a law firm, and this page does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.

Recent Traffic Violations Articles