San Diego Enforces New Daylighting Law for Pedestrian Safety

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New daylighting law enforcement in action at a San Diego intersection.

News Summary

San Diego has implemented a new statewide daylighting law to enhance pedestrian safety by prohibiting parking within 20 feet of crosswalks. This law aims to reduce accidents and bolster visibility at intersections. A 60-day grace period allowed residents to adjust before fines of $117 were enforced from March 1 onward. Over 4,200 tickets have been issued as part of efforts to raise revenue and address pedestrian fatalities. This regulation aligns with the city’s Vision Zero initiative, aimed at eliminating traffic-related deaths and injuries.

San Diego is taking significant steps to improve pedestrian safety with the enforcement of a new statewide “daylighting” law aimed at enhancing visibility at crosswalks. Officially implemented on January 1, this law prohibits parking within 20 feet of any marked or unmarked crosswalk throughout California, including San Diego. The primary goal of this regulation is to prevent accidents and increase safety for both drivers and pedestrians.

The San Diego city officials have initiated a 60-day grace period that allowed residents and visitors to adapt to the new parking restrictions, which concluded on February 28. Following this period, parking enforcement began on March 1. Under the new regulations, individuals found in violation of the daylighting law will face a fine of $117. This fine represents an increase as part of a broader strategy to address a projected $258 million budget shortfall for the next fiscal year.

Erin Longen, a parking enforcement supervisor, noted that enforcement officers can issue tickets even if curbs are not painted red to signal the no-parking zones. Motorists are advised that ignorance of the law will not be accepted as an excuse for violations. Since the start of enforcement, approximately 4,200 tickets have been issued, following the distribution of around 1,500 warning notices before fines were imposed. The city has collected close to $500,000 in fine revenue, which could potentially reach $3 million annually if trends continue.

While the daylighting law citations account for 10% or less of all parking tickets issued in San Diego, the factors influencing ticket issuance are driven largely by vehicle density across the city rather than specifically targeting particular neighborhoods. Notable areas impacted by this law include Normal Heights, Bankers Hill, and regions extending to La Jolla.

The enactment of this law aligns with a national movement to address increasing rates of pedestrian fatalities. In 2021, California saw 1,108 pedestrian deaths, marking a troubling 9.3% increase from the previous year. This statistic highlights the urgent public safety concern that the daylighting law intends to mitigate as part of San Diego’s broader “Vision Zero” initiative. This initiative is committed to eliminating traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries over a defined timeframe.

In compliance with the new law, city officials have made substantial adjustments, including the removal or relocation of nearly 100 metered parking spaces to create safer environments at intersections. Although some areas will get red curb markings indicating parking restrictions, not every affected location will have clear signage. The average length of a car being around 14 feet implies that a 20-foot no-parking rule roughly equals the length of one and a half vehicles, underlining the necessity for adhering to the new guidelines.

Public feedback has indicated some confusion regarding the implementation of this law, particularly concerning enforcement procedures and the clarity of signage at intersections. City officials have acknowledged these issues but continue to emphasize the overall intention behind the law, underscoring the critical need for pedestrian safety in the face of rising traffic-related risks.

As San Diego navigates these regulatory changes, the focus remains on creating a safer urban environment that prioritizes the well-being of its residents and visitors. Compliance with the daylighting law is expected to be a key factor in reducing pedestrian accidents and promoting a more secure atmosphere for all road users moving forward.