It’s not always easy to remember when and where you are allowed to park your car, but there are certain circumstances that will cause your car to be towed. For instance, if you park in a handicap spot or in front of a fire hydrant or crosswalk, your car can be towed right away. While these instances are common sense, there are other circumstances that might cause your parking situation to get ugly. Here is an overview of some unfortunate situations that could lead to the police coming after you with a hook and tow truck:
Know your local laws
In some areas, if your car is parked within 15 feet of a crosswalk or intersection, it can also get towed as well. Know your local laws, so you can avoid any parking problems! For example, the reasons for towing in Austin might not be the same for San Antonio or Houston. Furthermore, in some cases, the city itself might not tow your car, but a private company hired by the city will do it. Either way, you will be forced to pay the expenses, so make sure you know all the facts before you park your vehicle.
Parking too far from the curb
There are some areas you can park pretty close to the edge of the road, but other places might give you a ticket for being too far away. If your vehicle is parked further than legally allowed, it might get towed by certain public services. Parking too far from the curb may cause problems in snow-covered areas because the plows need room to clear off excess snow. Similarly, there are certain circumstances where parking too far will make it difficult for other cars to pass through, which could lead to an accident.
Check the signage of where you park
Parking in lots sometimes requires special signs to let you know if there is a parking restriction, such as street cleaning or construction. Even then, some areas that normally allow for parking might be temporarily closed off due to renovation or road work that will get your car towed immediately. There could also be temporary road signs that will tell you when your car can be towed, which is usually after the situation has passed. If parking restrictions are not clearly defined on signage, or you do not see any existing signage, then it is best to contact the local police department and inquire about local parking laws.
Parking in handicapped spots
Parking in handicapped spots is wrong because it can impede the movement of handicapped people, and the tow truck drivers have the right to tow anyone parked in a handicapped spot if they do not have a permit. These spots are designed to make life easier for people who are handicapped, and it is very inconsiderate to take advantage of them.
Some cities even offer free parking to the disabled, but that doesn’t mean you can park free as well. If you see someone with disabilities trying to park their vehicle and there’s no available spot, it’s best to call the person in charge of the parking lot and tell them about the situation. Remember that everyone deserves to park their car where they need to next time when you are choosing your parking spot.
Don’t park on railroad tracks!
You might have seen various signs that say no parking please or do not even think of parking here. These are there for safety reasons, so if you see these signs, heed their advice because tow trucks do visit these areas regularly, so it’s best to avoid getting your car towed. If you happen to live near railroad tracks or near industrial areas where trains transport cargo every day, it is best not to park on the tracks out of respect for not just your safety, but everyone else’s safety too.
Don’t block someone in!
Another situation that can cause your car to be towed immediately is if you park somewhere so that they prevent another vehicle from being able to leave. These are called fire lanes or no parking zones. If you are not allowed to stop there, then don’t even think about parking there because tow trucks will quickly come to take away any vehicles blocking other people’s cars. If you find yourself unable to find a spot nearby, then it is best to go back home and come back later instead of blocking others in with your car at the risk of getting towed right away by the tow truck driver.
Parking close to fire hydrants!
Aside from blocking someone in, you can also get your car towed if you park too close to a fire hydrant. This is so that the firefighters are not prevented from accessing them when they need to put out a fire or save lives during an emergency. If the space is too small for even one person to get to pass through with their vehicle then it is best not to park there because tow trucks do visit these areas regularly and your car will be towed immediately which means no chance of getting your car back for weeks at least.
Don’t block traffic!
Another reason why your car can get towed quickly is if you park somewhere where you basically obstruct the flow of traffic. This includes parking on bridges, highways, and tunnels too. Sometimes tow trucks will come and escort you away if your vehicle is causing traffic, so again, it’s best to just not park on bridges and highways because they can quickly remove it and nobody wants that to happen at all.
Knowing your local laws and parking rules can save you from making a mistake that could cost you time, money, or even access to the vehicle. Parking too far from the curb is one of those mistakes that people often forget about because they are so busy making sure they do not park too far from where they were headed. Even if there are no other cars on the street, make sure your car is parked as close as possible to the sidewalk or curb. With our tips, hopefully, you will not find yourself with a towed car.