Stop Signs In Parking Lots

[NCooper]

But then, we have LE made up totally of Barney Fife clones!

Im Insulted by that comment. I'm a Rod Farva clone

 

[gdnagle]

In my area: If the parking lot is open/used by the general public, then traffic laws apply. This may differ from State to State.

I also think in some states the only part of a parking lot considered private property is the parking space the lane can get you a ticket just like on the road. Don't ask how I know, when I was kid but that was a long time ago.


If your worried about stopping for a stop sign in a parking lot don't come here. Heck can't get'm to stop for a sign on the road. It's a slow down and run it even if LE is around they make a lot of money here for that. Just had one run a sign while I was doing the speed limit on the country road 50mph. Had to swerve and they ran off the road, just kept going no one hurt no damage, just another day. Heck I think they even allow it during the driving test at the WV DMV. Just keep an eye out for the other driver if you get around these parts.

Now I hate when the people cross the road with a shopping cart diagonally and slow everyone up. Come on now straight across in the lines, or the pople who have to walk down the middle of the lane. But in cold nasty weather I'll stop for everyone walking and let them cross no need to make them wait while I'm in a dry warm car.

 

[blujax01]

Okay then Batman, riddle me this:

Why is it that I see police handing out tickets in parking lots for parking in a handicap space without a wheelchair air freshener hanging off the rearview?

And double parking in a fire lane?

Different signs - same private property...

 

[the ringo kid]

Entirely too often, I almost get hit by cars running stop signs in parking lots. If I'm walking, the driver will gauge my distance to the crosswalk and actually accelerate in order to avoid stopping at the stop sign.

If I'm driving, and pull out into the main thoroughfare, it's as if the sign doesn't even exist. I don't have a stop sign - you do. I have the RIGHT OF WAY.

Who ever got the idea that stopping for the red octagon is optional?

I dont know but, its even worse than that here. I love walking for exercise-I follow all the posted rules-push button on pole to wait for my turn to cross the street, and though they see I have the right-away, they still speed through or just after ive moved just enough for them to squeeze through. Some honk, some yell, some curse and some show me the back of their middle finger--but im not deterred-I keep cruising through-pointing at the white hand indicating its my turn to cross, but they still don't get it through their pre-cro-magnon skulls, that its my turn.

Im thinking of carrying a brick--just in case.

 

[the ringo kid]

I think because parking lots are privately owned, they aren't enforced and there is no penalty for running a sign, so people consider them to be a joke. Heck, some people in my subdivision routinely roll right through stop signs.

i think parking lots are dangerous as anything, except that usually (usually) accidents are at low speed.

Actually, there are rules here. A few years ago, some family pulled into a strip mall place where there was a Chuck-E-Cheese. It was all on security video--parents are not watching their kid--which is normal here. Said kid starts running for the C-E-C door--got hit and killed by a truck coming through the parking lot. From what I saw, the parents were fully negligent but, the jury awarded them several million dollars I think it was because other locations upgraded their drive areas with speed bumps. So part of the settlement was they had to do the same here. I think them winning several million dollars being irresponsible parents--is bull ****.

 

[NCooper]

Okay then Batman, riddle me this:

Why is it that I see police handing out tickets in parking lots for parking in a handicap space without a wheelchair air freshener hanging off the rearview?

And double parking in a fire lane?

Different signs - same private property...

In Washington state those are code enforcement officers. Similar uniform but not real police. Could be different in your state.

Most fire lanes and handicap citations are written to city municipal codes not state laws.

My favorite thing to do is park in not properly marked handicap spots and watch people freak out about it.

There is actually a state law that can have a citation written to the property owner for not properly marking handicap spaces.

 

[the ringo kid]

In my area: If the parking lot is open/used by the general public, then traffic laws apply. This may differ from State to State.

I THINK its that way here? I think...

 

[the ringo kid]

Okay then Batman, riddle me this:

Why is it that I see police handing out tickets in parking lots for parking in a handicap space without a wheelchair air freshener hanging off the rearview?

And double parking in a fire lane?

Different signs - same private property...

Here they sometimes enforce handicapped parking rules but mostly, its trained teams of civilians who enforce them. I thought about doing that myself.

 

[GaryS]

I would like a LEO opinion on this. If what you say is true, I get broadsided by someone running a stop sign in a parking lot, he/she isn't liable?

That can't be right...

Different issue. Their insurance company would likely consider them at fault. Whether or not the police could issue a citation or not is another matter.

A lot would depend on state law. In MA, arguably they could be cited because the traffic laws apply to public ways or ways upon which the general public is allowed as invitees or licensees. Which would seem to mean that the police could issue citations, but I don't know that they routinely do.

A few years ago my wife was at a local mall and a tractor trailer hit her parked car. The police were called, not by her, and wrote a report assigning blame to the driver of the truck. Who had tried to convince her not to file a claim because he'd rather pay for it out of his pocket.

To the best of my knowledge, no citation was issued, but his insurance paid for the repairs.

 

[NYlakesider]

Here they sometimes enforce handicapped parking rules but mostly, its trained teams of civilians who enforce them. I thought about doing that myself.

The way a LEO friend explained it to me about parking lot tickets was if they’re not official signs the cops did not enforce laws (speeding , right of way, stop signs)

Fire lane and handicapped things were enforceable if it was signed according to law. I know I have seen many PD tickets handed out for fire lane violators and people abusing handicapped parking in private lots IN MY AREA. Your locations might be different!

 

[blujax01]

The way a LEO friend explained it to me about parking lot tickets was if they’re not official signs the cops did not enforce laws (speeding , right of way, stop signs)

Fire lane and handicapped things were enforceable if it was signed according to law. ...

Octagon.

Red.

S-T-O-P spelled out in big honkin' letters.

What's not official about that? But something about a handicapped sign is???

There's something that isn't penetrating my thick skull here...

 

[NYlakesider]

Octagon.

Red.

S-T-O-P spelled out in big honkin' letters.

What's not official about that? But something about a handicapped sign is???

There's something that isn't penetrating my thick skull here...

Well all enforceable signs in my area must have some sort of a stamp or printing embossing on it signifying that. It’s usually on the back of the signs most times and some areas had the PDs initials embossed on the bottom of the front part of the sign.

Like said not all places- states, counties have the same rules!

 

[Old TexMex]

Parking lots are dangerous, no doubt. I was outside a bar one night and some inconsiderate motorist ran over both my hands.

 

[smokindog]

In Texas and I believe in my former State of Ohio there must be a warrant study for all traffic control "implements". You'd be surprised to find out how many Stop signs, ... and others that don't have/pass a Warrant study, rendering them unenforceable. Do NOT confuse that with getting a ticket for not obeying them. IF you get a ticket for said "implement" and find there is not a properly executed and passed warrant study, it will be thrown out in court, provide you know to go to court and challenge it. We are battling this in our subdivision right now! The Town won't add stop signs to intersections where vehicles blow through at 60 MPH because the location doesn't pass a warrant review. Bureaucracies at their best.

Most traffic signs on private property do not pass warrant review either, except for things like Handicap (Federal involvement I believe) and fire lanes (code).

At least that's what I've learned in my 3 year battle here!

Stop trying to apply logic and common sense, this is the government we're speaking of.

Different issue. Their insurance company would likely consider them at fault. Whether or not the police could issue a citation or not is another matter.

A lot would depend on state law. In MA, arguably they could be cited because the traffic laws apply to public ways or ways upon which the general public is allowed as invitees or licensees. Which would seem to mean that the police could issue citations, but I don't know that they routinely do.

A few years ago my wife was at a local mall and a tractor trailer hit her parked car. The police were called, not by her, and wrote a report assigning blame to the driver of the truck. Who had tried to convince her not to file a claim because he'd rather pay for it out of his pocket.

To the best of my knowledge, no citation was issued, but his insurance paid for the repairs.

 

[coltle6920]

As I lay in a hospital bed or worse yet the morgue my family is arguing "But Officer,He had the right of way".

You just can't fix stupid in other people! Whether I am driving or walking I don't assume anything from other people.If I'm ever in doubt as to what the other person is going to do I let them go first.

I would rather be a spectator in Life than a casualty of it!

 

[Autococker07]

I belive most states also have codes that enforce height, distance from roadway, yadda yadda yadda.... I know its a technicality, but its to prevent my jacked up parking lot stop sign making the municipality/state officers and court look like jerks.... If the popo has to enforce the standard, the markings, position, display etc must also be standardized....

Octagon.

Red.

S-T-O-P spelled out in big honkin' letters.

What's not official about that? But something about a handicapped sign is???

There's something that isn't penetrating my thick skull here...

 

[poordevil]

I would like a LEO opinion on this. If what you say is true, I get broadsided by someone running a stop sign in a parking lot, he/she isn't liable?

That can't be right...

They are "Private Property, Open to the Public" A stop sign is a suggestion, not mandatory.

 

[moe smith]

I'd think not being able to enforce traffic laws in private lots open to the public for commerce would spawn a fleet of bubbas with 12 packs on their laps. I mean, why go to the bar when you could stumble out of Kroger and play bumper cars or shopping cart slalom with the radio full blast while texting and swigging a gallon or two of PBR. How much fun would that be?

 

[rwsmith]

To tell the truth....

Even if nobody is going to enforce the law in a parking lot until something happens, I would still be glad to have officers around to keep people from looting the cars and the store, or doing something dangerous or illegal. Not to mention customers and other employees getting robbed or worse out in a dark parking lot among hundreds of cars.

I'm not sure about the law in SC but there plenty of signs that say, "Police have jurisdiction on these premises.

 

[blujax01]

...
Stop trying to apply logic and common sense, this is the government we're speaking of.

Copy That.