Chapter 3. Road Lanes and Markings
§ 1.
- ‘Road lane’ shall be defined as: “an area marked by lines on the road which controls where vehicles should or should not be”.
- ‘Passing’ shall be defined as: “crossing over any line on a roadway with any tire on a vehicle/bicycle”.
- ‘U-turn’ shall be defined as: “turning in such a manner as to face the opposite direction”.
- ‘Overtaking’ shall be defined as: “passing in order to get past a vehicle ahead”.
§ 2.
- Yellow lines separate traffic flowing in opposite directions. Yellow lines may be used on the left side of the roadway at an on/off ramp or other locations. Yellow lines may be used to separate an HOV lane as well.
- White lines separate traffic flowing in the same direction.
- Quadruple continuous and broken lines (two double lines with spacing in between) prohibit passing. This is null if the setup is a reversible lane setup (a lane surrounded by broken double yellow lines).
- Double continuous lines allow passing only when turning left or making a u-turn.
- Double broken lines are an advisory marking to follow in intersections. They have the same legal effect as a guide on the roadway.
- Double lines with one line broken and one line continuous allow passing for the purpose of overtaking only for vehicles/bicycles in the lane closest to the broken lines. Passing is allowed when turning left or making a u-turn, regardless of which side the vehicle/bicycle is on.
- Single continuous lines discourage passing but may be passed. Those that endanger traffic by passing or overtaking single lines can be cited for Improper Turn or Lane Change.
- Broken single lines allow passing.
- Short broken single lines indicate a merging/split lane or act as a guide on the roadway for turns which have legal effect under chapter 7 (as all other lines do).
- Road lines may be used to mark parking spaces or similar areas. If this is done, the rules above don’t apply.
- The above rules do not apply if a custom setup is in place (to be indicated by road signs or other road markings, or § 3 of this chapter).
- Overtaking is permitted at all times as long as the vehicle/bicycle itself does not pass any road lines which prohibit it or there are road signs which prohibit it. Overtaking (without conducting a lane change) in a manner which could endanger other road users or is in violation of road markings/signage shall count as Overtaking Dangerously, which may result in a $50 to $150 citation. This cannot be a charge alongside Improper Turn or Lane Change, unless it is for two separate events.
- Any vehicle/bicycle which legally overtakes in such a manner where the vehicle is facing (either partially or completely) opposing traffic must yield the right-of-way to the opposing traffic at all times. Failure to do so counts as Making an Improper Turn or Lane Change and Failure to Yield (and any other charges as necessary). Should the overtaking bicycle/vehicle not be able to see whether an oncoming vehicle is approaching within a reasonable vicinity, the driver shall still be liable for Failure to Yield if the oncoming traffic had to perform any defensive action due to the overtake (attempt).
§ 3.
- A thick white line across the roadway indicates the same as a stop sign unless signage or traffic lights indicate otherwise (for example a green traffic light). Exception: warning for a railroad crossing is marked with two thick white lines and an X in the middle, this does not require traffic to stop at that specific area. The same goes for other hazard warnings such as upcoming roundabouts, etc. The same rules of Running a Stop Sign apply here, regardless of the absence of an actual stop sign.
- A hard shoulder (not always present) is the rightmost or leftmost lane on a roadway separated from other traffic by a continuous solid white or yellow line. It is, however, to be differentiated from parking lanes, bus lanes, bicycle lanes, and areas explicitly cut off from the rest of the roadway for the purposes of rest stops or viewing. Vehicles are permitted to enter the shoulder only in the case of a mechanical issue or fuel outage but most come to a complete stop within 100 studs and must leave the shoulder within 100 studs if they wish to leave. Overtaking is strictly prohibited for vehicles in the hard shoulder. Vehicles in the lane must have their hazard lights on. Vehicles may, however, drive (no faster than 30s/s) in the lane if they are doing so due to a mechanical fault such as a fuel outage, but must vacate the lane in due time (in order to continue to a service station). Violation of sentence 3 and 4 of this section shall count as Improper Turn or Lane Change or Overtaking Dangerously if the vehicle did not make a lane change but still utilized the shoulder area for overtaking. Violation of sentence 5 shall count as Improper Use of Hazard Lights. Violation of sentence 6 shall count as Violating Road Markings or Signage. Waiting, stopping, or parking in the emergency lane other than in accordance with chapter 4 § 1(5h) shall count as Illegal Stopping, Illegal Waiting, or Illegal Parking. Bicycles must, where available, use the hard shoulder at all times unless indicated otherwise by road markings or signage or where a bicycle lane is present.
- Center left turn lanes are lanes surrounded with broken yellow lines on the inside and a continuous yellow line on the outside. Center left turn lanes do not abide by § 2(5). Both directions of traffic are permitted to use the center left turn lane, neither of them shall have priority over the other, oncoming vehicles must both stop and coordinate with each other. Vehicles/bicycles are allowed to pass into and out of the center left turn lane but must turn left or merge into the flow of traffic within 100 studs of entering the lane unless the lane ends within 100 studs. U-turns are allowed. On roads with a center left turn lane, overtaking in or left of the center left turn lane is prohibited.
- Triangular white icons on the road known as ‘shark’s teeth’ that have their apexes pointed towards traffic indicate the same as a yield sign would. The same limits apply as set in the law against Failure to Yield.
- Crosswalks are areas on the road designated for pedestrians to cross. Crosswalks are split into six different types and are illustrated in this image.
- A safety zone is an area on the road marked with diagonal lines which is not a buffer zone. The area prohibits any entering by motor vehicles or bicycles. Entering counts as Entering an Area not Designated for Vehicles/Bicycles and any other applicable charges. A buffer zone is an area on the road marked with diagonal lines separating a parking lane, bicycle lane, or bus lane from the flow of traffic. A buffer zone may be crossed to enter the parking lane, bicycle lane, or bus lane if the vehicle/bicycle in question is legally permitted to enter such lane.
- Other markings may be on the road to warn drivers/bicycle operators, give additional information, or to mandate drivers/bicycle operators to do something or prohibit them from doing such.
- The above rules do not apply if a custom setup is in place (to be indicated by road signs or other road markings).
Chapter 4. Parking and Towing
§ 1.
- ‘Parking’ shall be defined as stopping a motor vehicle and exiting (if there is a sign allowing picking up/dropping off but no parking, drivers are permitted to exit their vehicle but cannot leave it stopped for more than 1 minute) it or leaving it stopped for 1 minute or more. If a vehicle is waiting, it shall not be parking.
- ‘Parking a bicycle’ shall be defined as stopping a bicycle and dismounting it or leaving it stopped for 1 minute or more.
- ‘Parking spaces’ shall be defined as any area designated for parking by signage or road markings.
- ‘Stopping’ in this chapter shall be defined as stopping a motor vehicle (down to 0s/s), if a vehicle is waiting, it shall not be stopping.
- ‘Waiting’ in this chapter shall be defined as waiting while in a vehicle (with due reason) for:
a. A red traffic light.
b. A stop sign or flashing red light.
c. A yield sign.
d. A stopped vehicle (or to avoid a collision).
e. The right-of-way at an intersection.
f. The orders of an on-duty DOT, DPW, fire/ambulance service, or law enforcement employee.
g. A railroad crossing.
h. A mechanical fault or fuel outage. The operator of the vehicle/bicycle must take due precautions to prevent a fuel outage or mechanical fault from taking place while in an area not designated for waiting. Should the operator not have done so, it shall not count as ‘waiting’. Sentences two and three shall not apply to waiting, parking, or stopping in a shoulder.
i. A pedestrian to cross a crosswalk.
j. Any other road situation that requires waiting. - Vehicles shall be considered to be using ‘multiple parking spaces’ if any part of the vehicle (excluding any exterior mirrors) extends beyond the inner boundary of the parking space in question. Vehicles shall be considered to be parking, stopping, or waiting in an area not designated for parking, stopping, or waiting if any part of the vehicle in question is in an area not designated for parking, stopping, or waiting.
- Vehicles may only be cited once for illegal parking, illegal stopping, or illegal waiting until the vehicle is moved again.
- Any government-operated vehicle which is too large to fit within the inner boundaries of a parking space shall be exempt from 6. of this section.
- Persons shall be exempt from Illegal Parking and Illegal Stopping citations if they were physically unable to move the vehicle or it was unwillfully moved or placed into the position. Law enforcement officers who issue citations irrespective of this subsection shall, however, not be guilty of False Citation unless they had previous knowledge of the fact. The person in question may, however, expunge the record with ease.
§ 2.
- ‘Illegal Parking’ shall be a traffic infraction in Firestone. Illegal Parking shall be defined as: “parking in an improper manner”. The base citation amount for illegal parking is $40. Improper manners in which to park shall be prescribed below.
a. Vehicles cannot park in any area not designated for parking (to be indicated by signage or road markings). Vehicles are prohibited from parking in any area marked with an enclosed line (such as the area marked with diagonal red lines in this image) unless in a parking lane at the side of the roadway designated for parking.
b. Vehicles cannot park in such a manner whereby it uses multiple parking spaces.
c. Vehicles cannot park in such a manner whereby it obstructs the use of a parking space while not using such parking space lawfully.
d. Vehicles cannot park in a handicap parking space when the owner of the vehicle does not have proper authorization given by the Department of Transportation. Parking in a handicap parking space shall add $60 to the base citation.
e. Vehicles cannot park in an electric parking space while not being an electric vehicle. Parking in an electric parking space while not being an electric vehicle shall add $20 to the base citation.
f. Vehicles cannot park in any manner whereby it obstructs the usage of a refuelling or recharging area unless they are refuelling or recharging themselves.
g. Vehicles cannot park in any area not designated for stopping as defined in § 3(1) of this chapter. Parking in an area not designated for stoppings shall also add $60 to the base citation if they are stopped in prohibition of § 3(1e) or § 3(1h).
h. Vehicles cannot park on any lane where there are arrows painted on such lane. This restriction shall begin at the beginning of the first arrow and end at the end of the last arrow within a reasonable distance of the first arrow that they have clear relation to one another.
i. Vehicles cannot park in front of any sunken sidewalks/curbs or in front of any driveways which could impede the entrance/exit to such driveway.
j. Vehicles cannot park in any manner whereby they obstruct any area designated for garbage dumpsters.
k. Vehicles cannot park next to or 20 studs behind or afore any area designated for bus stoppings. Parking in such an area shall add $40 to the base citation. Parking in such an area which causes a hindrance to any legally operating bus shall add $80 to the base citation instead of $40. Any additional charges may be added.
l. Should a vehicle be illegally parked, the vehicle cannot be cited for more than $120 unless other charges are for an unrelated matter.
m. Vehicles are exempt from these parking laws should they be authorized to park in such areas (to be indicated by road signage or road markings).
§ 3.
- ‘Illegal Stopping’ shall be a traffic infraction in Firestone. Illegal Stopping shall be defined as: “stopping in an improper manner”. The base citation amount for illegal stopping is $40. Improper manners in which to stop shall be prescribed below. Illegal Stopping cannot be a charge alongside Illegal Parking or Illegal Waiting unless the charges are for separate occasions.
a. Vehicles cannot stop in any manner whereby the right part of the vehicle (excluding any exterior mirrors) is more than one stud away from the right-hand curb or, where there is no curb, more than one stud away from the edge of the roadway or road marking(s) on the edge of the roadway not designated for stopping. On one-way streets and other situations as defined in this section vehicles can stop on the left and right-hand side of the roadway but the respective side of the vehicle may not be further than one stud away from the curb or, where there is no curb, more than one stud away from the edge of the roadway or road marking(s) on the edge of the roadway not designated for stopping. 1(a) of this section shall not apply to stopping in any driveway.
b. Vehicles cannot stop in any manner whereby its front is facing towards oncoming traffic on the left-hand side of the roadway or, in a one-way street, on any side of the roadway where the front of the vehicle is facing the wrong direction of traffic. 1(b) of this section shall not apply to stopping in any driveway nor shall it apply in any parking lot or area where there is not a clear roadway with right-hand traffic present. A roadway with a separating median of any size or type is not a one-way road.
c. Vehicles cannot stop on any roadway with a speed limit at or above 60s/s or any exit/entrance ramps connecting such a roadway with a different roadway.
d. Vehicles cannot stop in any area where it is prohibited to stop (to be indicated by signage or road markings).
e. Vehicles cannot stop next to or 30 studs behind or afore any fire hydrant. They can also not stop next to or 30 studs behind or afore any fire lane or fire exit/entrance as marked by road markings and signage. Stopping in these areas shall add $60 to the base citation.
f. Vehicles cannot stop inside a tunnel or 20 studs afore a tunnel’s entrance.
g. Vehicles cannot stop on a sidewalk or median.
h. Vehicles cannot stop at any hospital in any manner whereby such could impede the exit, entry, or dropoff of any ambulance. Stopping in such an area shall add $60 to the base citation.
i. Vehicles cannot stop on any sunken sidewalks/curbs which lead into another part of traffic. This shall not apply to driveways or areas which are entirely covered with a sunken sidewalk.
j. Vehicles cannot stop in any area not designated for waiting as defined in § 3(2) of this chapter.
k. Vehicles cannot stop in any manner whereby any other vehicle is unable to lawfully, safely, or physically pass. This includes stopping in such a manner whereby other vehicles must cross single lines or use lanes inappropriate for their desired direction of travel.
l. Vehicles cannot stop on any bicycle lane marked with signage or road markings.
m. Vehicles cannot stop on any buffer zone.
n. Vehicles cannot stop on or immediately next to any safety zone.
o. Vehicles cannot stop in any manner whereby they block an intersection or they block traffic/pedestrian flow unnecessarily.
p. Vehicles cannot stop in any roundabout.
q. Vehicles cannot stop next to any sidewalk painted explicitly and intentionally red.
r. Should a vehicle be illegally stopped, the vehicle cannot be cited for more than $100 unless other charges are for an unrelated matter.
s. Vehicles are exempt from these stopping laws should they be authorized to stop in such areas (to be indicated by road signage or road markings). - ‘Illegal Waiting’ shall be a traffic infraction in Firestone. Illegal Waiting shall be defined as: “waiting in an improper manner”. The base citation amount for illegal waiting is $40. Improper manners in which to wait shall be prescribed below. Illegal Waiting cannot be a charge alongside Illegal Parking or Illegal Stopping unless the charges are for separate occasions. Vehicles are authorized to wait in the areas classified below if they are doing so to avoid an imminent collision which could not be avoided through other means or to follow the orders of personnel as per chapter 5(§1.1a).
a. Vehicles cannot wait inside any intersection (intersections, in this case, shall exclude entrances and exits to unpaved roadways and exits and entrances over sunken sidewalks/curbs) unless they do so to wait for pedestrians who have the right-of-way.
b. Vehicles cannot wait in any area where it is prohibited to wait (to be indicated by signage or road markings). This includes any area marked with X shaped markings or the text ‘DO NOT BLOCK’.
c. Vehicles cannot wait on a crosswalk unless they do so without causing a hindrance to pedestrians to see more clearly to find a gap in traffic at an intersection where they do not have right-of-way.
d. Vehicles cannot wait on (a) railroad track(s) or immediately thereabout (which may obstruct or hinder a train or the proper closing of any safety gates or in such a manner which is past the railroad crossing’s stop line).
e. Vehicles cannot wait in any manner whereby they endanger the public.
f. Should a vehicle be illegally waiting, the vehicle cannot be cited for more than $40 unless other charges are for an unrelated matter.
g. Vehicles are exempt from these waiting laws should they be authorized to wait in the area (to be indicated by road signage or road markings).
§ 4.
- ‘Illegal Bicycle Parking’ shall be a traffic infraction and be defined as: “parking a bicycle in a manner that it obstructs or hinders road users, poses a threat to safety, or is in violation of any road markings or signage”. The punishment for Illegal Bicycle Parking shall be a $15 citation.
§ 5.
- The Department of Transportation is permitted to tow any vehicle that is parked in any way as prescribed § 2 of this chapter, stopped vehicles cannot be towed, as the driver is still inside the vehicle. Any vehicle can be towed with consent from the owner for any reason.
- The Department of Transportation is permitted to tow any vehicle that belong(s)ed to a subject that has been arrested and is currently in prison.
- The Department of Transportation is permitted to tow any vehicle that is parked inside any restricted area (as defined by legislation and the Constitution, specifically C.V.IV/V/VI/VII. Any area which is considered to be ‘loitering’ shall be considered ‘parked inside any restricted area’) or in any private/government property (or parked in such a manner whereby it obstructs such private/government/restricted property), unless such vehicle is authorized to be parked there. Irrespective of this subsection, any vehicle which is (illegally) parked in any private property or in any manner whereby it obstructs such private property substantially and illegally may only be towed with explicit consent of the property owner.
- The Department of Transportation (when their employees are on-duty) or any other law enforcement agency (when the officers are on-duty) shall be permitted to move or tow away a bicycle that is illegally parked, as defined in § 4 of this chapter.
- The Department of Transportation shall be permitted to tow any vehicle per orders of an on-duty law enforcement officer if it is for the purposes of public safety or due to an ongoing situation (whereby the vehicle in question is interfering with such). The Department of Transportation employee shall not be liable in this case, rather shall the law enforcement officer be liable.
- The Department of Transportation shall be permitted to tow any vehicle that blocks any fire hydrant, even if the vehicle is parked in a designated parking spot, only when there is an active fire at or nearby the fire hydrant in question.
- Any person that interferes or hinders with a lawful tow initiated by an on-duty law enforcement officer or an on-duty Department of Transportation employee can be charged with Obstruction Against DOT.
- Any citizen with due standing (being the owner of the vehicle or bicycle in question) can sue any law enforcement officer or Department of Transportation employee in civil court if the individual in question towed or moved their vehicle or bicycle for invalid reasoning or illegally for Conducting an Illegal Tow. Should a law enforcement officer be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in such a suit, the Firestone Courts must
a. Order a full reimbursement for all towing fees. This shall be paid in full by the law enforcement officer in question.
b. Order that, if the vehicle is still impounded, it be released from such impoundation and be accessible for the owner of the vehicle or bicycle to drive.
Should a Department of Transportation employee be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in such a suit, the Firestone Courts must
c. Order a full reimbursement for all towing fees. This shall be paid in full by either the Department of Transportation or the Secretary thereof. Should the employee in question have been properly and completely instructed on parking laws specific to that in the suit, the reimbursement must be paid by the employee in question instead. It shall be the Department of Transportation’s burden to prove that the employee in question was properly instructed.
d. Order that, if the vehicle is still impounded, it be released from such impoundation and be accessible for the owner of the vehicle or bicycle to drive.
The Firestone Courts may, but shall not be obligated to, additionally order any other mandates not exceeding changes in employment such as demotion, suspension, termination, etc. The Firestone Courts may also order that the law enforcement agency or the Department of Transportation have proper training and instruction procedures put in place applicable to the suit. - Citizens cannot sue law enforcement officers or Department of Transportation employees, nor can they be punished for such by the Firestone Courts, for supposed damages caused to their bicycle or vehicle.
- Irrespective of this section, on-duty law enforcement officers may obstruct or hinder any tow for reason deemed plausible for the law enforcement officer. No tow truck may tow a vehicle which an on-duty law enforcement officer prohibits the towing of.