A new parking law is now being enforced across California, starting on March 15, 2025. This new law will allow officers to issue citations. Assembly Bill No. 413, referred to as the “daylighting” law, empowers officers to cite vehicles parked within 20 feet of marked and unmarked crosswalks. The people who pushed and supported the creation of this law said that it may eliminate any blind spots for pedestrians trying to cross the sidewalk. “It can be difficult for a person walking to see if there’s a car coming,” explained Kendra Ramsey with the California Bicycle Coalition (CalBike). “It’s also difficult for the person driving the motor vehicle to see if there was someone trying to cross the street.” 
They came up with a 20-foot distance because it can be the length of a standard car, varying from other typical truck models. A good way to avoid a citation is to remember that even if it isn’t painted red, 20 feet from the crosswalk is off-limits. You may be wondering why this law matters. Here are some of the more important ones. The main goal of daylighting is to make intersections safer for pedestrians.
Cars can cause blind spots for both parties, increasing the risk of accidents. Pedestrians have been trying to push this law for years. Organizations like Cal Bike and Walk San Francisco argue that poor visibility at intersections is a huge reason why pedestrians get hit or killed. According to California’s Office of Traffic Safety, almost 7,500 pedestrians died on California roads between 2010 and 2020, many times because drivers couldn’t see them. This is how the law will be enforced. Starting March 15th, police officers around the state will begin issuing tickets for any violations of AB 413. The fines will vary between cities but are expected to be between $65 and $150. Since most crosswalks don’t have red curbs to mark for this new rule, officers will measure the curb. Precise, aren’t they? What this means for drivers is they now have to be extra careful where they park! There have been many mixed reactions from the public, while many safety advocates support the law, some drivers and business owners worry about losing parking spaces.
This law will make parking extra hard in busy cities with limited parking. Some drivers may find judging 20 feet on a curb difficult, especially on unmarked sidewalks. To help transition, cities may put up signs or run public awareness campaigns to remind drivers of the new rule. Some areas might need alternative parking spots. The daylighting law is designed to improve the visibility at crosswalks and make streets safer for everyone overall. Drivers can avoid fines by making sure they are leaving at least 20 feet between their parked car and the crosswalk, even if there is no red paint on the curb or if the crosswalk is unmarked. As enforcement begins, staying aware of this new law will help keep California roads safer for everyone.
