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Indiana Parking Laws



Though Indiana parking laws will be mostly municipal matters, there are some provisions in the Indiana code dealing with traffic, stopping and parking on the highways that run through the state.  Follow the Indiana parking laws carefully and also consult about local parking laws that are surely in effect when dealing with the operation of a motor vehicle.  Indiana parking laws are contained in Title 9, Article 21 Chapter 16.

Indiana parking laws on the highway

As a general rule, one may not stop or park on the paved area of a highway regardless of the reason that would make stopping there convenient.  Indiana parking laws, of course, not that this does not apply to those that cannot avoid stopping on the highway due to accident or having the vehicle disabled.  When this is unavoidable, Indiana parking laws state that the driver must make efforts to make the stopped vehicle visible and have sufficient space for other cars to bypass the stopped car.  Ideally, the stopped car should be visible from at least 200 feet away.

Law enforcement and stopping on the highway

When you have a stopped car on the highway, in violation of Indiana parking laws, a police officer will ask you to move the vehicle.  You must move the vehicle is possible or the police officer will arrange to have the vehicle moved to a garage or other safe area.  This will also be the case if the vehicle is not attended.

General Indiana parking laws

There are local parking laws as well as common sense.  Still, section 5 of the Indiana parking laws states places where it is largely illegal to park, unless you are authorized to do or are directed to do so by the police.  This includes not parking:

- On a sidewalk
- In or in front of a private driveway
- Near a fire hydrant (15 feet)
- In an intersection or crosswalk
- Within 50 feet of a railroad crossing
- On an elevated structure
- Places where stopping is prohibited

There are a number of other areas where parking is prohibited by Indiana parking laws and these will surely be noted by nearby signs.

Other provisions in the Indiana parking laws

The Indiana parking laws also note the provisions to note fire lanes, those who can be authorized to enforce or file complaints pertaining to Indiana parking laws and reaffirming the right of local governments to control and regulate parking, stopping and other operation of motor vehicles.

Rights of the state

The Indiana parking laws state that the Indiana Department of Transportation may place signs that prohibit stopping, standing and parking on highways and other areas under state jurisdiction, as long as the signs are clearly posted and official.

What is the penalty for violating Indiana parking laws?

The Indiana parking laws state that any violation pertaining to this state law is a Class C infraction

Most of the Indiana parking laws pertains to the highways and other important multi-country roadways, as counties and other jurisdictions will set their own traffic and parking laws.  Aside from conventional wisdom and driver’s training IN parking laws most deal with stopping and parking on the highway, which is an arguably dangerous situation.  As a result, most violations of Indiana parking law will have your vehicle towed and removed to from the roadway.  Stalled vehicles are exempt from IN parking laws, though the police will move the stalled vehicle to the side of the roadway in the interest of public safety.  You will find all of the provisions related to IN parking laws in Title 9, Article 21 Chapter 16.  One will have to observe both Indiana parking law as well as local parking law to avoid tickets and other issues related to stopping, stalling or parking.

Highways and IN parking laws

Indiana parking law states that stopping on any paved part of the highway needs to be avoided, even if there is no other place that the vehicle can be parked.  One should only park there if there is no other alternative, due to car trouble or stalling.  Under Indiana parking law, the car should be visible from 200 feet away and hazard lights will be left on to ensure that the vehicle can be spotted from a safe distance.  The driver, under Indiana parking law must make every effort possible to ensure that they move the vehicle to the side of the highway and make the vehicle visible.  They should then make every arrangement to have the vehicle moved if law enforcement is not available to enforce Indiana parking law.

How do I know if I am in violation of IN parking laws?

If you are parked on the highway, you are violation IN parking laws.  a police officer will ask you to move the vehicle  if the vehicle is unattended, then Indiana parking law states that the vehicle will be moved without owner consent.  Stopping on the highway is considered a dangerous traffic hazard.

Other Indiana parking law

Most other parts of IN parking laws will state the areas where one may not park.  This includes sidewalks, private driveways, near fire hydrants, on elevated roadways, near a railroad crossing and anywhere stopping or stalling is prohibited.  One needs to know the municipal parking laws as well as the Indiana parking law, though they are not mutually exclusive and in made times, redundant.

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous provisions of IN parking laws include delegation of enforcement of these laws, the role of fire lanes and the right of municipalities and county governments to set Indiana parking law of their own.  Indiana Department of Transportation is authorized under IN parking laws to place signs that regulate parking and other traffic laws.

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