Illegal Parking
A parking violation is the act of parking a motor vehicle in a restricted place or for parking in an unauthorized manner. It is against the law virtually everywhere to park a vehicle in the middle of a highway or road; parking on one or both sides of a road.Illegal car parking in the commercial and residential areas are causing serious traffic congestions in city. Illegal parking of cars is going on unabated mainly in semi-residential, residential and commercial areas including Motijheel, Dhanmondi, Paltan, Green Road, Gulshan Avenue and Kamal Ataturk Avenue in the city.Cars are often found in front of high-rise buildings, near private universities, banks, schools, medical and diagnostic centers, restaurants, shopping malls and chain shops and other commercial establishments.Most of the commercial establishments in the capital have either no parking facilities or limited facilities. Besides, parking spaces of a good many of them are being used for commercial purposes.A section of owners have given rent for running fast-food, grocery, stationery, boutique or other shops in their commercial establishments.In the first few months of the immediate-past interim government, many illegal parking spaces were demolished, but most of them were rebuilt at the same place taking stay orders from the court. Besides soon after taking office by political government, some ruling party leaders are giving lease of spaces of roads realizing money from the car owners. Sources said, ruling party men and police are jointly realizing toll by allowing illegal parking.Marzia Ahsan, a local resident of Baily road, said, “Some times we face trouble in entering our apartment house as a good many cars remain parked in front of the gate. The road in front of the apartment very often lies blocked by cars from morning to evening as many medical centres and schools including Viqarununisa School are located here.”Owners of many such establishments managed to get permission from the Dhaka City Corporation for parking vehicles in a single row on the road in front of the establishments, she added. When contacted, a Rajuk official said, though Rajuk demolished many illegal parking but many of those were rebuilt by taking stay order from the court. According to Metropolitan Police Ordinance 1976, the punishment for parking any vehicle on street or at public place is Tk 100. In city’s Motijheel area, a police traffic sergent said, the main cause of traffic congestion is illegal car parking by businessmen but the police cannot do anything as there is no car parking centers which can be used by car owners. He said, “If the Dhaka City Corporation sets up some car parking centers in some commercial areas across the city, it will definitely help ease traffic congestions.”
Duties of police-officers to keep order in streets, etc |
17. It shall be the duty of every police-officer-(a) to regulate and control the traffic in the streets;
(b) to prevent constructions in the streets; (c) to the best of his ability to prevent the infraction of any rule, regulation or order made under this Ordinance or any other law for the time being in force for observance by the public in or near the streets; (d) to keep order in the streets, and at and within public bathing, washing and landing places, fairs and all other places of public resort, and in the neighbourhood of places of public worship during the time of public worship; (e) to regulate resort to public bathing, washing and landing places, to prevent overcrowding thereat and in public ferry-boats and, to the best of his ability, to prevent the infraction of any rule, regulation or order lawfully made for observance by the public at any such place or on any such boat.
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| Penalty for causing obstruction in street or public places | 68. Whoever causes obstruction in any street or public place-(a) by allowing any vehicle which has to be loaded or unloaded, or to take up or set down passengers, to remain or stand therein longer than may be necessary for such purposes ; or
(b) by leaving any vehicle standing therein, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one hundred taka. |
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Penalty for making or repairing vehicle in street or public place |
72. Whoever in any street or public place makes any vehicle or part of a vehicle, or, except when in the case of an accident repairing on the spot is unavoidable repairs any vehicle or part of a vehicle, or carries on therein any manufacture or operation or work so as to be an impediment to traffic or annoyance to the public or neighbouring residents shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to two thousand taka, or with both, and such vehicle shall be liable to be confiscated to the Government]. |
Penalty for keeping or storing building materials or other articles in street or public place |
72A. Whoever causes obstruction in any street or public place by keeping or storing building materials or other articles therein shall be punishable with fine which may extend to two thousand taka, and such materials or articles shall be liable to be confiscated to the Government.] | |||
The parking of automobiles is clearly a waste of road space, but the alternatives providing all off-street parking—is a wasteful use of other resources. A compromise is thus needed to improve the efficiency of road space without inflicting inordinate costs on society in terms of paying for off-street parking. A few places should absolutely ban car parking, with sufficiently strong penalties to serve as true deterrents. These include busy streets, all footpaths, and all parks and playgrounds. Banning car parking on busy streets could allow for greater provision of space for bicycle lanes, rickshaws, and an efficient bus rapid transit system. Car parking on footpaths is an offensive deterrent to pedestrians and should never be tolerated, any more than would the stowing of other personal belongings (a bed, a table, a desk) on the footpath. Minor streets could allow car parking within designated areas, with people around to collect fees based on time and space used. Sensitive areas that require free access and especially where children gather should ban parking altogether within a certain radius. This would include schools, and would have the effect of reducing traffic congestion, increasing safety, and serving as an inducement to travel to school by more efficient modes.
Illegal Parking Includes
Ø Parking in a prohibited space such as a bus stop or in front of a fire hydrant or a driveway or a garage entrance.
Ø Parking on a sidewalk (unless specifically allowed by signs)
Ø Parking in or too close to or within a street crossing, railroad crossing or crosswalk.
Ø Double parking
Ø Parking at a parking meter without paying, or for longer than the paid time.
Ø Parking in a handicapped zone without an appropriate permit.
Ø Many vehicle codes define it to be an infraction to park on the public byway without the vehicle being properly licensed and registered, with expired or missing license plates or license plate ‘tabs’, without proper safety vehicle inspection decal, etc.
Ø Parking without a zone permit in places where parking is severely impacted (such as a residential zone permit, issued to help preserve parking availability for those who live in the permit zone).
Ø Parking without special permit, where one is needed (like a parking for employees of a company)
Ø Parking with the parking permit or payment receipt not visible in the prescribed way, like upside down.
Ø Parking on certain streets in a snow emergency when streets need to be plowed of snow.
Ø Parking at curb locations designated (usually through signage and/or curb or pavement painting) for special purpose such as passenger zones (for loading and discharge), commercial vehicle zones (for freight or service trucks and vans), police or government vehicle zones, etc.
Ø Parking at locations during scheduled street sweeping.
Ø Parking at locations during posted construction or maintenance operations.
Ø Parking for longer than the maximum time, often that is 24 hours.
Ø Parking facing against the direction of traffic (considered confusing to moving drivers, especially at night)
Ø Parking outside marked squares, for example angle parking where only parallel parking is allowed.
Power to make rule (Highway Act 1925, Bangladesh)
4.(1) The Government may, after previous publication, make rules-
(i) for the regulation and safety of traffic on Government roads; (ia) for the regulation of construction works within ten meters of such Government roads called National Highways and Regional Highways;
(ii) for the prevention of obstruction and encroachments and of nuisances on or near such roads;
(iii) for the preservation of such road; and
(iv) for the temporary closing of such roads for repairs or other works, or for the purposes specifically set forth in section 3.
Highway Police
To make our road safer and to ensure smooth traffic management system, Government realized the necessity of highway Police. Under sec/12 of the Police act 1861 the govt. of the people’s republic of Bangladesh made this highway Police rules in the year 2005.
Jurisdiction of Highway Police
* National Roads and Highways
* Shoulders of National Roads and Highways
* Footpath of National Roads and Highways
* 10 Feet area on both side of National Roads and highways
* All vehicles playing on National Roads and Highways
* All passengers playing on Nationals Roads and highways
* Drivers and helpers playing on National Roads and highways
* All pedestrians walking on shoulders
* All Goods Transported by National Highways
Parking laws of UK
1. Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations, 1997 : provide for the general regulation and control of traffic, pedestrians and parking.
2. The Road Traffic Act, 1994 : gives local authorities the power to make bye-laws governing the type of paid parking controls in their areas – e.g. disc parking, pay and display parking, etc.
3. Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations, 1997,Provides local authorities are responsible for authorising regulatory traffic signs and designating areas where parking is restricted or prohibited. Clamping of vehicles is authorised by the Road Traffic (Immobilisation Of Vehicles) Regulations, 1998 and in extreme cases, the Road Traffic (Removal, Storage and Disposal of Vehicles) Regulations 1983 – 1991 gives power to local authorities to tow away vehicles that have been illegally parked and are causing serious congestion. Section 11 of the Road Traffic Act 2002 provided for the current system of fixed-charge traffic and parking offences, replacing the previous system of ‘on the spot’ fine offences.
Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations, 1997(UK)
Prohibitions on Parking
36. (1) Save as otherwise provided for in these Regulations and subject to article 5, a vehicle shall not be parked on a public road at a location, in a manner or for a purpose referred to in this article.
(2) A vehicle shall not be parked—
( a ) on that side of a section of roadway along the edge of which traffic sign number RRM 008 [double yellow lines] has been provided;
( b ) on a section of roadway where traffic sign number RUS 019 [No Parking sign] has been provided, during the period indicated on the information plate accompanying such traffic sign;
( c ) within 5 metres of a road junction;
( d ) on a section of roadway with less than 3 traffic lanes and where traffic sign number RRM 001 [continuous white line] has been provided;
( e ) on a section of roadway where traffic sign number RUS 020, in association with RRM 029 [appointed stand], has been placed to indicate that an appointed stand has been provided;
( f ) in any place, position or manner that will result in the vehicle obstructing, delaying or interfering with the entrance to or exit from a fire brigade station, an ambulance station or a Garda station;
( g ) in any place, position or manner that will result in the vehicle obstructing an entrance or an exit for vehicles to or from a premises, save with the consent of the occupier of such premises;
( h ) within 15 metres (on the approach side) or 5 metres (on the side other than the approach side) of a section of roadway where any of the following traffic signs have been provided—
(i) traffic sign number RPC 001 [Pedestrian Crossing];
(ii) traffic sign number RPC 002 [Pedestrian Crossing Complex]; or
(iii) traffic sign numbers RTS 00I, RTS 002, RTS 003 or RTS 004 [traffic lights];
( i ) on a footway, a grass margin or a median strip;
( j ) on a part of a roadway which is a casual trading area, during hours of trading, unless the vehicle is for the time being in use for the purposes of casual trading;
( k ) in a manner in which it will interfere with the normal flow of traffic or which obstructs or endangers other traffic;
( l ) where traffic sign RUS 031 [bus stop] or RRM 030 [stopping place or stand] has been provided unless the vehicle is an omnibus.
Restrictions on Parking
37. (1) A vehicle shall not be parked during a period which may be indicated on an information plate, on that side of a section of roadway along the edge of which traffic sign number RRM 007 [single yellow line] has been provided.
(2) ( a ) Subject to paragraph (b), where traffic sign number RUS 018 [Restricted Parking] is provided a vehicle may only be parked for the length of time and, where appropriate, during the period, indicated on the information plate accompanying the sign.
( b ) Subject to article 43(3), where a vehicle is removed from a place in respect of which paragraph (a) applies it may not be parked again in that place within one hour of its removal during the period when the restriction is in force.
(3) ( a ) Subject to paragraphs (b) and (c), a vehicle, other than a large public service vehicle, shall not be parked where traffic sign number RUS 019 [No Parking] accompanied by an information plate containing the words “Except Buses – Ach Amháin Busanna” is provided.
( b ) (i) The restriction referred to in paragraph (a) may be applied for a specific period which shall be indicated on an information plate.
(ii) A large public service vehicle parked in accordance with paragraph (a) shall not be parked for a period exceeding one hour from the commencement of such parking.
( c ) Where a large public service vehicle, having been parked in that portion of a roadway where the restriction as provided for in paragraph (b) applies, leaves, it shall not be parked again in that portion of the roadway within one hour of leaving while the restriction applies.
(4) Where a vehicle is parked in a parking place which is the subject of a provision contained in bye-laws made under section 36 of the Act of 1994 it shall only be parked in accordance with such a provision.
(5) Where traffic sign number RRM 011, RRM 012, RRM 013 or RRM 014 [Parking Bays] is provided, a vehicle must be parked within the limits of the parking bay.
Restrictions on Parking Heavy Goods Vehicles
38. (1) ( a ) Where traffic sign number RUS 019 [Prohibition on Parking] is provided at the entrance to an area in association with an information plate containing a symbol to indicate a large vehicle, a vehicle whose unladen weight exceeds the weight specified on the information plate, shall not be parked in the said area.
( b ) Paragraph (a) shall not apply to a large vehicle parked while goods are being loaded in or on to it or unloaded from it, for a period not exceeding thirty minutes from the commencement of the parking.
(2) The end of the prohibition provided for in sub-article (1) shall be indicated by traffic sign number RUS 019 accompanied by an information plate containing a symbol to indicate a large vehicle and the word “END/CRIOCH”.
Parking in Bus Lanes
39. (1) A person shall not park a vehicle in a contra flow bus lane.
(2) A person shall not park a vehicle in a bus lane during the period of operation of the bus lane.
(3) A person shall not park a vehicle other than an omnibus in a bus only street except for loading or unloading.
(4) Sub-article (2) shall not apply to a taxi or a wheelchair accessible taxi which is stopped while picking up or setting down passengers in the course of its use.
Basic Parking Rule
- Do not park any vehicle on the part of a road where traffic is flowing. Drive the vehicle off the road onto the shoulder while stopping.
- Do not park in such a place where one do not have a clear view for at least 50 meters in both the directions.
- Do not park in a place that blocks a vehicle already parked, a sidewalk, crosswalk, pedestrian crossing or road entrance.
- Do not park near the public entrance to a hotel, theatre or public hall when it is open to the public.
- Do not park near any intersection or a round-about.
- Before opening the door of the parked vehicle, look around. Close the door the moment one gets down.
- Park the vehicle on the left side in the direction of the traffic.
Parallel Parking
The term parallel parking means parking the vehicle in a line i.e. front to rear. The parking area should be one and half times longer than the vehicle to be parked. Check the following rules for parallel parking:
- Slowly reverse into the space provided for parking, turning the steering wheel anti-clockwise. Take care that you have cleared the vehicle ahead.
- After seeing the outside rear corner of the vehicle in front of your space, turn the steering wheel clockwise. Do not forget to look back so that you do not hit the vehicle already parked behind you.
- Bring the vehicle in line with the curb.
- If the vehicle is not parallel to the curb, drive forward to straighten. Make sure the wheels of the car are straight.
- After the vehicle is properly parked, pull the handbrake and shift into first or reverse gear. Turn off the engine and remove the key from the ignition.
- Check the traffic before opening door of the vehicle.
Angular Parking
The term angular parking means parking the vehicle at an angle to the curb of the road. The following basic rules is to be followed in angular parking.
- First and foremost look through the mirrors and over the shoulder for traffic behind you.
- Give the left indicator to signal to the vehicle behind that you intend to park the vehicle.
- Steer into the provided parking space and straighten the wheels.
- Keep equal distance on both the sides, pull the handbrake and shift into first or reverse gear.
For Exit: Look through the rear view mirrors and over the shoulder, if the way is clear then reverse slowly. Check that there is no vehicle, take extra care of cycles, rickshaws and pedestrians.
Perpendicular Parking
By perpendicular parking it means that parking at right angle of the road curb. Always reverse the vehicle in the parking space so that you can exit comfortably.
- Pass ahead of the parked vehicle next to available space.
- Look through the rear view mirrors and over the shoulder for clear traffic.
- Turn the steering anti-clockwise and reverse slowly until you are in the centre of the parking space.