Firefighters must be able to access fire hydrants in an emergency. Vehicles parked too close to a hydrant might block access and prevent emergency personnel from obtaining enough water to extinguish fires.
To help prevent blockages, Texas legislators have established laws that limit how close you can park to a fire hydrant. Most cities, including Dallas, have implemented similar city codes to help enforce fire hydrant parking restrictions.
According to the Dallas city code, you cannot park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. This law applies to virtually every jurisdiction throughout Texas.
What Are The Laws About Parking Near Fire Hydrants?
Texas law makes it illegal to park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. Violating this law could lead to a fine or cause your car to be towed. Dallas city code doesn’t just ban parking. It also prohibits stopping or standing within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. That means you can’t loiter near fire hydrants in your vehicle, even if it is running and you are still in it.
The exact fine amount will vary depending on which city you are in. If your vehicle gets towed, you may incur hundreds of dollars in additional expenses. You’ll also have to deal with the inconvenience of tracking down your car and getting it released from the impound lot.
Why Are There Laws About Parking Too Close To Fire Hydrants?
In emergencies, every second counts. Blocked hydrants can delay firefighters and lead to greater property damage.
If someone blocks a hydrant, it could also cause personal injury to others. The person who blocks the hydrant could be held liable for their contributions to the incident.
What Happens If You Park Too Close?
If you park too close to a fire hydrant, your vehicle may prevent a fire truck from accessing the water supply. You could also get a citation for parking too close to a hydrant or even have your vehicle towed away.
Parking too close to a hydrant may also increase your risk of being involved in a truck accident. Fire trucks and other large vehicles often use the extra space left around hydrants to navigate city streets and access driveways or unloading areas. If you crowd this space, they may inadvertently strike your vehicle.
The Importance Of Knowing Texas Parking Laws
There are many different laws about parking. The state has rules about parking too close to stop signs, intersections, driveways, and traffic signals. Here’s a quick look at other rules you need to know:
- You can’t park in front of public or private driveways.
- You must park at least 20 feet from an intersection.
- You must park at least 30 feet from a traffic signal or stop sign.
- You must park according to the flow of traffic (usually on the right side of the road).
- You can’t block a sidewalk when parking your car.
As you can see, there are various laws to learn, and this can make it challenging to keep up with parking distance restrictions. This helpful chart from the City of Houston can help you learn where to park so you can avoid fines.
Follow the Law And Stay Safe
Following Texas parking laws may also help you reduce your risk of getting into a car accident. Do your part to keep Texas streets — and yourself — safe by learning and following the latest parking regulations.
Contact the Dallas Personal Injury Law Firm of Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers LLC Today For Help
For more information, please contact the Dallas personal injury law firm of Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
Our office is conveniently located in Dallas, near the Dallas Downtown Historic District. We serve statewide throughout Texas.
Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers LLC
701 Commerce Street, Suite 703
Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 615-6394