In a large city (especially in its center), finding a safe place to park a car is an almost impossible task. That is why drivers often use the space along the edges of the road to put an "iron horse" there. In general, such parking is not strictly prohibited, but you should take into account the many nuances and rules that exist in this area.
Is it possible or not to drive into the sidewalk?
Normative acts contain such a number of contradictions and subtleties that it is no wonder to get confused in them. Sometimes the very concepts of “road” and “sidewalk” are interpreted quite freely. It is best to refrain from parking on such part of the road that is intended for pedestrians. The “fuzziness” of traffic rules allows the traffic police inspector to penalize any car that stops on the sidewalk. And even if the amount is not so great, nevertheless, there is not much pleasant in the fine.
If you look at the problem through the eyes of a pedestrian, the picture is completely different. For those who move on their own, the cars parked on the sidewalk sometimes serve as a real barrier - it becomes impossible to move normally because of them. Pedestrian sidewalks lined with cars are not uncommon these days. In addition, car owners think more about the safety of their own vehicle than about the convenience of citizens passing by.
Distinguish between concepts
Let's look at the main provisions of the law related to the issue of the possibility of parking in areas of pedestrian walkways and sidewalks. And also discuss what fines are provided for this violation.
To control the situation, you should know what the sidewalk is and understand how it differs from other parts of the road. That is, to see the difference between the concepts of roadside, sidewalk and footpath. A roadside is a section of the roadway that is on the same level as the main road and is not separated from it at all - neither by a curb nor by a grass lawn.
It can only be indicated by appropriate road markings. On the side of the road, you can quite rightly park your car, and no one has the right to fine you (unless, of course, there are other violations).
What is a sidewalk and how is it better than a footpath
A pedestrian path refers to a place reserved for the movement of people (pedestrians) and cyclists. It must be highlighted with the help of the “Pedestrian path” road sign. Also, this section, more precisely, its border with the highway, can be indicated by markings.
Parking on the footpath is not prohibited. But if you try to move on it in your car, you will get a legal fine.
Sometimes the traffic police inspectors themselves are not aware of the difference between these concepts. In this case, a competent driver, in terms of the necessary terms (knowing what the sidewalk is and what are its signs), can competently prove his point of view - if he has the necessary information.
So, under the sidewalk is meant a place intended exclusively for pedestrians. This zone is separated from the road by either a curb or a green lawn (or both). At the same time, it is strictly forbidden to drive along the sidewalk or park any vehicle on it. The penalty for violating this prohibition will be completely legal.
You can argue with the inspector
How can these concepts be confused? This happens when the curb on the sidewalk is absent or very, very weakly expressed. If parking on the "sidewalk" of this type takes place, the inspector, theoretically, has no right to fine you. But in practice, you have yet to prove that this place is not a sidewalk at all. Since conducting such showdowns in court in hindsight is a rather hopeless case, we recommend that you challenge the fine directly with the inspector in place.
It should be remembered that traffic and parking are different concepts, and the fines for them are also different. According to the latest edition of the traffic rules , sidewalk driving has nothing to do with parking on it or driving along a footpath.
Thus, putting the car in such a section, you can not worry about the fine. But moving along it, expect trouble. But, logically, to park on a pedestrian walkway, you need to at least drop into it, that is, make traffic. And this process is already punishable. Paradox...
Let's move on to the numbers
How much will you have to pay when parking on the sidewalk or traffic along it is fixed? Legislation changes annually, this also applies to the scope of penalties. Most drivers do not have time to track all the changes and are in the dark about the current state of affairs. If in past years the fines for such violations could conditionally be called symbolic, then recently the situation has changed dramatically - any penalty is a very serious amount.
In Russian cities (with the exception of St. Petersburg and Moscow), drivers who put their cars on the sidewalk are fined 1,000 rubles. If you live in the capital or St. Petersburg - cities of federal significance - you pay 3000 rubles for the same thing. Among other things, this situation involves the evacuation of your car. So get ready to buy an iron friend. It will cost you at least 5000 rubles.
About Muscovites and others
If you had the imprudence to move along a footpath or along sidewalks, prepare an amount equal to 2000 rubles to pay the fine. regardless of the city of residence. By the number and number of repetitions, such fines are not differentiated - this means that the driver can be fined an unlimited number of times.
Thus, we see that it is more profitable for a resident of Moscow to drive along the sidewalk than to leave a car on it. In other cities - on the contrary. Knowing this nuance will, at worst, save the same unfortunate thousand rubles. But it’s better not to go far from the car in order to prevent the "iron horse" being taken away by a tow truck. After all, it is always easier and cheaper to agree on the spot than to buy a car from the penalty area later.
How can I get out
Is it possible to somehow challenge the imposition of a fine in this situation? As you know, any Russian law is written in such a language that an experienced lawyer can turn it in a direction favorable to itself. But this is usually beyond the reach of the simple reader. Nevertheless, something can be done. You can refuse to pay a penalty for parking on the sidewalk if you can prove to the inspector that due to the lack of the above signs of the sidewalk, this place is considered a pedestrian path or even a roadside.
Another option is that your car has a technical malfunction. This is a good excuse when parking on the sidewalk is inevitable. Any other force majeure, which Russian drivers so much like to refer to, may come up.
If the inspector "caught" you on the sidewalk while driving, try to prove to him that at the moment you were moving, not standing. The actions listed above will help, if not to avoid the fine as a whole, then significantly reduce its size. Well, if not one of the loopholes helps get out, you will have to pay. Therefore, the surest way to avoid unforeseen expenses is to abandon any parking on the sidewalk or in an area that is adjacent to the road.
Sidewalk parking - no options
When you cannot see the places where you can park your car without breaking the rules, make sure that you are not obstructing the flow of people, and that your car is not too striking for the traffic police, who know very well what the sidewalk is and what kind of “tribute” You can "rip off" a driver who has called upon him.
If these measures of success do not bring, you should be ready to part with the amount of 3,000 rubles, and this is if the case will do without a tow truck.
That is why think carefully before stopping in such a place. The paid parking option can be a good alternative, since the amount spent on this service is likely to be incomparably less than the fine imposed. It is especially important to observe the rules in the center of any metropolis where the traffic police patrol will not keep you waiting.