While there are certainly plenty of rules and laws to remember when you are behind the wheel and on the road in Connecticut, you also have to keep in mind the parking laws, as well as the colored pavement markings, to ensure you are not parking illegally.
Colored pavement markings to know
Drivers in Connecticut should be familiar with certain pavement markings and colors, which will help them to know where they can and cannot park their vehicle. White or yellow diagonal stripes are used to denote a fixed obstruction. Curb markings that are red or yellow could be fire lanes, and the local authorities may consider them to be no parking zones.
The laws can vary based on where you are located in the state, so you will want to learn more about the markings, the regulations, and the fines in your area so you can be sure you understand all of the rules. However, there are some rules of thumb that you can keep in mind about parking no matter where you are in the state.
The parking rules
Whenever you have to park your vehicle, the best option is to find a designated parking area and use that if at all possible. If you have to park your vehicle along the side of the road for some reason, make sure that you keep the vehicle as far off of the road and away from traffic as possible. If there is a curb, you should park within 12 inches of it – the closer the better.
In Connecticut, there are a number of places where you are not going to be able to park. These include an intersection, on sidewalks, and in crosswalks. If you are going through a construction area and need to park, you cannot park your vehicle in a manner that would cause a disruption to the general flow of traffic.
Drivers in Connecticut need to make sure that they are not parked within 25 feet of a stop sign or a pedestrian safety zone as well. It is illegal to park too close to a fire hydrant as well. You need to be at least 10 feet away in Connecticut.
Drivers are not allowed to park so that their vehicle blocks private or public driveways, alleys, private roads, or areas of the curb that have been removed or lowered for easier access to the sidewalk. You cannot park on a bridge, an overpass, an underpass, or a tunnel. Never park on the wrong size of the street, and do not double park your vehicle. Double parking is when you park your vehicle on the street side of another car or truck that is already parked. This would block traffic, or at the very least make it difficult for traffic to flow properly.
You cannot park on railroad tracks or on bike lanes. The only way you can park in a handicapped spot is if you have a special placard or license plate.
Finally, make sure you pay attention to all of the signs alongside the road as well. These will often indicate whether or not you can park in a certain area.
