Parking In the Fire Lane, Are You Cool With This New York?

Some people like to break the rules and sometimes that is ok. Taking an extra 10 minutes for your lunchbreak, eating breakfast food for dinner and walking in through the out door are occasions that shouldn't disrupt the universe too much. On the other hand some New Yorkers are breaking the rules every day and the consequences could be much more severe.

STOP parking in the fire lane at shopping plazas! The fire lane is a fire lane, NOT a parking spot! This isn't just a pet peeve of mine, this "bending of the rules" is actually illegal.

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Every single day of the year we see vehicles parked in the fire lane at the grocery store, Sam's Club, Home Depot or literally any store with a fire lane. Why do people think this is a place to sit idle until their passengers return? Oh I know, it's because they put their hazard lights on. That makes it ok, right?

Wrong! Fire zones are areas, paved or unpaved, that permit firefighting equipment to come as close to the building as possible. No parking is allowed in a fire zone at any time. Any vehicle parked in a fire zone is subject to towing and/or fine at any time. In Cortland, NY, for example, it's a $75 fine.

According to Firestone, your hazard lights should be used when your vehicle becomes a danger to other drivers. (Changing a tire, broken down on side of the road, etc.) Using your hazard lights in a fire lane does not make it legal.

Park in a legit parking space and return your cart while you are at it.