Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
City Council

The New York City Parking Rule That Makes Intersections More Dangerous

Parking at the edge of a crosswalk hinders visibility but is condoned under city traffic rules. Photos: Brad Aaron
Parking at the edge of a crosswalk hinders visibility but is condoned under city traffic rules. Photos: Brad Aaron
Parking to the edge of a crosswalk reduces visibility at intersections, but is condoned under city parking rules. Photos: Brad Aaron

We've reported before how certain New York City parking rules are designed to cram a little more free car storage onto the street at the expense of pedestrian safety. In 2009, DOT removed parking restrictions on unmarked crosswalks at T intersections, and the city allows drivers with disability permits to block curb ramps that were intended to help pedestrians with disabilities cross the street.

Here's another example of how the city prioritizes parking over life and limb. This photo shows Seaman Avenue in Inwood where it intersects with Isham Street at the entrance to Inwood Hill Park. For at least five days this SUV was parked right at the edge of this crosswalk, blocking sight lines for pedestrians as well as drivers turning right from Seaman onto Isham.

Parking right up against the crosswalk is dangerous enough that some states and cities, including New Jersey and Portland, forbid it. Drivers hurt and kill thousands of people in New York City crosswalks every year, and most victims are crossing with the signal. Poor visibility at intersections contributes to the problem, but NYC law makes it perfectly legal to obstruct sight lines with parked cars.

A parking rule fix would daylight intersections citywide, making motorists and pedestrians more visible to each other.
A parking rule fix would daylight intersections citywide, making motorists and pedestrians more visible to each other.
This crosswalk is frequented by children en route to and from their homes and Inwood Hill Park. Out of frame at left is an elementary school.

NACTO guidelines suggest 20 to 25 feet of clearance around crosswalks. New York City law, however, only prohibits parking within a crosswalk itself (unmarked crosswalks at T intersections excepted, of course). By allowing motorists to park where their vehicles reduce visibility at intersections, this city traffic rule is in direct conflict with the city's Vision Zero goals.

The fix is simple. This month Vincent Gentile revived an effort by his City Council colleague David Greenfield to have the city paint curbs so drivers don't get tickets for parking too close to fire hydrants. If Gentile and Greenfield are as concerned about pedestrian safety as they are about protecting drivers from citations, they could introduce legislation to prohibit parking near intersections. Such a rule change would daylight intersections citywide and, if properly enforced, reduce the likelihood of collisions by making it easier for motorists and pedestrians to see each other.

Daylighted corners can be painted, protected with flex-posts, or used for bike parking. Below are examples of intersections that were made safer by the removal of a few parking spots.

A flex-post protected corner in Hoboken. Photo: Planetizen
A flex-post protected corner in Hoboken. Photo: Planetizen
A flex-post protected corner in Hoboken. Photo: Planetizen
A partially daylighted corner in the Inwood Slow Zone. Image: Google Maps
A partially daylighted corner in the Inwood Slow Zone. Image: Google Maps
A partially daylighted corner in the Inwood Slow Zone. Image: Google Maps

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

DOT Downsizes Very Modest Brooklyn Bike Lane Plan After Pushback

Activists were furious that such a minimal initial proposal had been truncated further after predictable bikelash.

September 8, 2025

The Ire This Time: City Seeks the Power To Confiscate Unsafe E-Bike Batteries From Poor Delivery Workers

Uncertified batteries can no longer legally be sold in the city, but many workers are still using them because they are less expensive.

September 8, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: He’s In It To Lose It Edition

The mayor won't quit a race he will certainly lose. Plus other news.

September 8, 2025

Zapped: ‘Emergency Vehicles’ (Ahem, Cops) Repeatedly Caught Clogging the Jay Street Busway

Squad cars, ambulances, sheriffs department vehicles and other exempted scofflaws are blocking the busway an average of six times every day.

September 5, 2025

Friday Video: How Public Transportation Fails ‘Fat’ People

Take a deep dive on the importance of size-inclusive transit, and what activists in Brussels are doing to get it.

September 5, 2025
See all posts