New parking rule in San Francisco: no parking near crosswalks [Video]

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 …