Q: The state recently enacted a law that a vehicle cannot park closer than 20 feet when approaching a street corner. Is that measured from the center of the curve, or the end of the curve on the corner? Dan Felix, Riverside A: The so-called Daylighting Law took effect on Jan. 1 and on a two-way street concerns the right side as you approach the intersection. It’s an effort to make it easier for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists in California to see one another. Like with many traffic laws, how it works is not clear-cut. Detective Ryan McHugh, in the Traffic Bureau of your city’s finest, Dan, said when there is a marked crosswalk, the 20 feet is from the closest painted edge of it. “A non-painted crosswalk isn’t as clear,” he told Honk. “Traditionally that would be measured from,” he added, “where the concrete ramp is installed to allow a pedestrian to enter the roadway.” If there is a so-called curb extension where the parkway juts out into the street then parking is against the law for 15 feet. Local governments can make exceptions. In Riverside, the first violation would likely bring about a warning, the detective said, with subsequent violations getting the driver a citation. Under the state law, red paint along the curb is not required for a citation to be issued which Honk finds foolish. Are motorists supposed to hop out with tape measures? Q: Honk: With the recent uncertainty of the Clean Air Vehicle program which was to end, but then got extended through November has there been any movement to further extend the privilege? Michael Collins, Fountain Valley A: Honk, with his crack staff that includes only himself, could find no evidence of the U. S. Congress stepping in to extend the program; it is solely in Uncle Sam’s hands. California’s 26-year-old program, meant to nudge consumers into environmentally friendly vehicles, was to end on Sept. 30. Then a state law was unearthed that says when the feds’ required authorization ends, citations could not be issued for 60 more days. Unless an extension is buried in some possible bill, it doesn’t appear there is any movement, a congressional aide told Honk. Among those who Honk called to see if another extension was afoot is Lt. Matt Gutierrez, who is in the California Highway Patrol’s headquarters in Sacramento. “The CHP is not aware of any discussion surrounding the extension of the CAV program,” he said. Now, 60 days is about Dec. 1. But Honk is a wise ol’ sage, as is common knowledge, so he isn’t going to pretend to know how governments count days (weekends? holidays?). He will update Honkland if he gets a concrete date as to when the Clean Air Vehicle stickers become worthless and no longer allow a qualified solo driver to go in a carpool lane.
https://www.sgvtribune.com/2025/11/21/under-the-new-law-how-close-can-you-park-to-a-street-corner/
