Photo: Crosswalks across California will be affected by new Daylighting law, photo by Jeremy Kemp, Wikimedia Commons
SAN DIEGO – As the new year is set to begin, new laws are going into effect in the City of San Diego. One that all drivers need to be aware of is the statewide “daylighting” law, which is meant to protect people crossing intersections by prohibiting parking within 20 feet of the corner, creating more visibility and improving safety.
This law, passed by the California state legislature as Assembly Bill 413, pertains to all intersections throughout the City of San Diego and the state. As of Jan. 1, 2025, vehicle parking will not be allowed within 20 feet of any marked or unmarked crosswalk. This rule applies whether or not there is a red curb or no parking signage at the intersection.
The purpose is to improve the range of vision of approaching drivers, so they are more likely to see pedestrians, skateboarders and others in the intersection – thereby increasing the daylight and visibility for all.
San Diego Police will be handing out warnings to violators of the law for the first 60 days. Beginning March 1, 2025, motorists who park within 20 feet of any crosswalk, marked or unmarked, may be cited. Tickets will cost $65, plus a state-mandated administrative fee of $12.50, for a total of $77.50. This is also the current fine for parking at a red curb in San Diego.
The new law will also help move the City toward its Vision Zero goals. Vision Zero, a concept adopted by many cities worldwide, aims to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and severe injuries for all road users.
Nationwide, 43 states already have daylighting laws, and most prohibit parking within 20 feet of an intersection.
