Double parking

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Double parking can refer to one of three practices.

[edit] Multi-space parking

A vehicle is "double parked" if it is parked on or over the lines separating two designated parking spaces, in effect occupying both spaces. Though this practice is most commonly a result of the driver disregarding the separating lines, it may also occur when the driver avoids parking too close to a large vehicle (such as a truck or SUV) in a narrow space, or to a vehicle which is poorly centered in the adjacent space. Double parking in this fashion is regarded as impolite but is rarely punished.

[edit] Parking parallel to a car already parked at the curb

"Double parking" can also refer to the usually illegal practice of parking a vehicle to the side of a row of vehicles that is already parked next to the curb. This often prevents some of the vehicles in the first row from departing and always obstructs a traffic lane or bike lane (to the extent of often making the street impassable in one-way single-lane situations). Even though it is illegal, double parking is quite common in large urban areas. In some areas, people double parking their cars leave the handbrake off, allowing the drivers of the cars next to the curb to push the double parked car a little forward or backward, in order to allow departing from the parking spot. Double parking in this fashion, where illegal, is often punished by ticketing or towing the offending vehicle.

[edit] Double parking in attended lots and garages

Attended lots and garages frequently use double parking to maximize vehicle storage density. A driver who double-parks in an attended lot leaves the vehicle's keys with the attendant. If the driver of the blocked car returns first, then the attendant can move the blocking car so that the blocked car can leave. This practice is especially common for valet lots, in which attendants have the keys to all vehicles.

This article does not cite any references or sources. (January 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.