On the other side of SW 9th Avenue Thursday night: One example of parking on the wrong side of the street.
Riding around Albany on the bike, I’ve noticed what seems to me to be a growing trend: People parking on the wrong side of the street.
The same subject came up toward the end of the Albany City Council meeting Wednesday.
Councilor Marilyn Smith said she wished there was some way to let people know that parking on the wrong side of two-way streets is is against the law. And it’s unlawful because it can be unsafe, she added.
The way I understood her story, when she was driving to the council meeting that day, on Washington Street, someone coming the other way cut across her lane to park on the left side of the street, facing the direction of traffic.
As I said, I have noticed quite a lot of this. But on Thursday, when I was looking for an illustration for this story, I could find only on lone example, toward the west end of Ninth Avenue.
Section 13.21.020 of the Albany Municipal Code tells drivers how they must park:
“No person shall stand or park a vehicle in a street other than parallel with the edge of the roadway, headed in the direction of lawful traffic movement, and with the curbside wheels of the vehicle within 12 inches of the edge of the curb, except where the street is marked or signed for angle parking.”
About a year and a half ago, I wondered if that section is ever enforced. As it turns out, yes, the police enforce it, but not often.
September Ridgeway, supervisor of the city court, told me in December 20024 that during the whole of that year, “21 parking citations have been issued for parking on the wrong side of the street.”
The standard fine was $35.
Not exactly a whopping penalty, but why risk even such a modest fine when you can just as easily park the way the city code says? (hh)
When I moved to Albany in 1980, wrong side parking tickets were common. It’s a matter of the police taking the effort to write them, which means they actually have to be on the streets.
I have a delivery route and I see this in Lebanon too. But not in Corvallis. Because you always see their police patrolling. Don’t see too many speeders either.
City council spent the money they could use to hire 2 officers on the monthly fee to run the new cameras. And an officer has to verify all those citations as well.
Maybe those cameras are making so much money (tax on residents) that they can hire additional officers. Or maybe its a wash or a drain on and resources. No idea either way
They must be from Seattle. EVERYONE parks the wrong side there!
issuing a parking ticker isn’t the most rewarding activity that an officer is ever involved in; however, it is not something that they should ignore. This, and some other enforcement actions, should not be ignored. Eventually the action of parking will result in an accident resulting in a fatality.
I live in Monmouth, an I see this daily. I called and spoke with officer, they have to physically check and seethe wrong way parking! People are being lazy! Was in Independence yesterday, watched a pickup come down a one way street and backed in a parking spot still going the wrong way, woman sitting on bench made comment and he was unfazed. Actually rude individual,kept walking to get a haircut!
Just another example of no deterrence when there’s no enforcement
What I dislike is the people who park head in on a cul de sac. I am a delivery driver and it is hard to maneuver around in these areas.
They are all parking on the correct side of the street. But they are facing the wrong direction.
They are only parking on the correct side of the street “if” their parked vehicle is facing in the correct, lawful direction.
You are saying they are facing the right direction but on the wrong side of the street. I am saying they are facing the wrong direction.
Another issue is Semi truck divers parking their tractor/trailers on residential streets, and travel trailers long term parking, rather than paying for appropriate off road parking.
I understand our residential areas are limited due to over crowding (thanks city of Albany for all those multi dwelling approvals) but having the behemoth vehicles taking up valuable parking space areas, and causing even more road damages from over weight vehicles it should be noted.
If you are having problems with people parking for a long time, you should check with the city. I believe parking is limited to 24 hours unless you get your neighbors permission then it’s 48 hours.
They should go park on the 22 million yellow brick road…Albany pot holes…gas tax…other road fees….money always solves problems…
What if there is no curb?
Perhaps some flashing yellow lights to advise drivers if parking rules.