# Breaking an automotive law in a private parking lot? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 7, 2006, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-an-automotive-law-in-a-private-parking-lot/343428 "2006-02-07T18:55:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2006, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-an-automotive-law-in-a-private-parking-lot/343428/1 "2006-02-07T18:55:03Z")
Here’s the deal, a colleague of mine and I got into a discussion about breaking the law in a private parking lot. Specifically, there is this parking lot near where we work that is a most excellent shortcut to get home. There is a sign in the parking lot that says “No through traffic” I’m of the opinion that I can drive through the parking lot, whereas he believes that if he sees the police, he better pull into a parking spot, then pull back out again otherwise he could get a ticket. Anyone know the real straight dope? This is in Alpharetta, GA, by the way. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2006, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-an-automotive-law-in-a-private-parking-lot/343428/2 "2006-02-07T18:59:36Z")
Have you read [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=357643)? ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2006, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-an-automotive-law-in-a-private-parking-lot/343428/3 "2006-02-07T19:03:57Z")
Consider this. Most handicapped parking spaces are on private property. Do you think a police officer can issue a citation for illegally parking in a handicapped spot? Even if local laws don’t specifically cover this, all the police have to do is ask the property owner if they want to sign a complaint. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2006, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-an-automotive-law-in-a-private-parking-lot/343428/4 "2006-02-07T19:07:48Z")
> [@Thudlow Boink](#): > > Have you read [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=357643)? Thanks for the link. I can’t believe I didn’t search first. I usually think of that. I should have know that the answer is “It Depends”. However the thread you linked to has all of 7 replies, and none of them offer any credibility unless you want to count the one where the sheriff’s volunteer says: "…and he said it _wasn’t_ illegal. " So, I’m still looking for the straight dope on this one. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2006, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-an-automotive-law-in-a-private-parking-lot/343428/5 "2006-02-07T19:11:28Z")
> [@A.R. Cane](#): > > Consider this. Most handicapped parking spaces are on private property. Do you think a police officer can issue a citation for illegally parking in a handicapped spot? IIRC, handicapped spots are a special case, in that they are mandated to be there by law. I don’t believe that traffic violations on private land (such as speeding) can be ticketed. However, cutting through private land to avoid traffic controls is illegal in most places. That violation isn’t so much about being on the private land, but avoiding the traffic signals. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2006, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-an-automotive-law-in-a-private-parking-lot/343428/6 "2006-02-07T19:18:31Z")
> [@A.R. Cane](#): > > Consider this. Most handicapped parking spaces are on private property. Do you think a police officer can issue a citation for illegally parking in a handicapped spot? > Even if local laws don’t specifically cover this, all the police have to do is ask the property owner if they want to sign a complaint. I don’t see how that’s a valid argument. I’m quite aware that public use private property doesn’t give you the right to do what you want… hence no “we allow murder here” lots are available. I’m guessing the “cutting across parking lot” law isn’t a Federal law, like I suppose the handicapped law probably is. It sounds to me like the answer is probably “it depends on if it has been made illegal where you live”. I have an email in to my MIL, who’s a lawyer. I’ll post what she says. E3 ---
**Author:** ![Wallenstein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b5a626/32.png) [@Wallenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallenstein)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2006, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-an-automotive-law-in-a-private-parking-lot/343428/7 "2006-02-07T19:23:19Z")
In the UK, I believe the only way the police could get involved is if a) you are causing criminal damage b) you are harassing the owner of the land c) you are suspected of being drunk at the wheel (even though it’s private land, the police can still do you if it’s a through route) Trespass (which is the applicable law) is a civil issue, not criminal. However, if the owner had a court injunction on you prohibiting you driving, the police could intervene. IANAL etc. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2006, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-an-automotive-law-in-a-private-parking-lot/343428/8 "2006-02-07T19:31:15Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > So, I’m still looking for the straight dope on this one. Check the thread again. Someone has posted the code (but from Michigan, not Georgia) which specifically criminalizes such “shortcuts.” And it matters not whether the property owner has posted a warning against thru traffic. ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2006, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-an-automotive-law-in-a-private-parking-lot/343428/9 "2006-02-07T19:41:39Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > I don’t see how that’s a valid argument. I’m quite aware that public use private property doesn’t give you the right to do what you want… hence no “we allow murder here” lots are available. I’m guessing the “cutting across parking lot” law isn’t a Federal law, like I suppose the handicapped law probably is. It sounds to me like the answer is probably “it depends on if it has been made illegal where you live”. > > I have an email in to my MIL, who’s a lawyer. I’ll post what she says. > > E3 Well of course it will depend on local statutes. The only federal laws, pertaining to vehicle operation, that I’m aware of, have to do w/ interstate commerce. ---
**Author:** ![groman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@groman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groman)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2006, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-an-automotive-law-in-a-private-parking-lot/343428/10 "2006-02-07T20:43:36Z")
Private parking lots are usually zoned by the municipality as such, and therefore have to comply with all the municipal parking lot regulations which include things like speeding and handicapped parking spaces. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2006, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-an-automotive-law-in-a-private-parking-lot/343428/11 "2006-02-07T21:35:05Z")
In New York State the law governing cutting through a parking lot as in the other thread is motor vehicle code 1225, “Avoiding a Traffic Control Device”, and it applies when someone uses the lot to avoid a red light, stop or yield sign, whatever. In the case asked about here it’s not clear whether a traffic control device is being avoided. When I was ticketed for this back around 1985 or so I went to court and truthfully explained to the judge that I was not avoiding the red light, but using an alternate route to avoid a sewer construction project that had torn up the intersection for months. He was a resident of the same town, and had also been inconvenienced by the project, so threw the ticket out. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2006, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-an-automotive-law-in-a-private-parking-lot/343428/12 "2006-02-07T22:32:44Z")
> [@groman](#): > > Private parking lots are usually zoned by the municipality as such, and therefore have to comply with all the municipal parking lot regulations which include things like speeding and handicapped parking spaces. That’s my thought too. I just didn’t think “you have to park here” rule really existed. I wonder what the ticketed offense is for when driving across a parking lot and not parking? ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2006, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-an-automotive-law-in-a-private-parking-lot/343428/13 "2006-02-07T22:47:21Z")
It probably doesn’t matter, but as an FYI, there isn’t a traffic control device anywhere to be found. Imagine two parallel roads. There is a huge ice skating rink and subsequently a huge parking lot there too. The parking lot has an entrance from either side. OK, the roads aren’t parallel, but here’s the deal. Look at [this map](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=10800+Davis+Drive,+Alpharetta,+GA+30004-4749+&ll=34.041903,-84.313159&spn=0.012535,0.029526) and draw a line straight North to Rock Mill Road. That’s where the other entrance is to the parking lot. So you can see how tasty it is to take that shortcut when you want to go East on Mansell Road. If you look at the satellite image, it’s actually the building and parking lot just east side of the red marker. The two buildings on the west parking lot is a Home Depot Design, and a Sam’s Club. ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2006, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-an-automotive-law-in-a-private-parking-lot/343428/14 "2006-02-07T23:09:47Z")
- - - If you use a parking lot to bypass any sign or signal of normal traffic control, then that is a possible ticket for circumventing a stoplight/stopsign. In most US states it is not allowed. …but otherwise, it’s not illegal to cut through such private property, and the police cannot arrest you for “not parking”. **In the US, police can only enforce signs placed by local, state or federal government entities on public roads.** You can for example, drive across the (privately-owned) shopping-mall parking lot at 120 MPH if you want, assuming no personal or property damage is done. The worst that can happen is that the property owners file a complaint telling you to stay off their parking lot, and the next time you are caught you can get fined just for tresspassing, but you would not get a “speeding ticket” in the typical sense, because local/state/federal speed limits are not valid on private property. ~ ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2006, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-an-automotive-law-in-a-private-parking-lot/343428/15 "2006-02-07T23:13:44Z")
Interesting conundrum right off the bat: > [@](#): > > 40-6-3. > (a) The provisions of this chapter relating to the operation of vehicles refer to the operation of vehicles upon highways except: > (1) Where a different place is specifically referred to in a given Code section; > (2) The provisions of this chapter shall apply to a vehicle operated at shopping centers or parking lots or similar areas which although privately owned are customarily used by the public as through streets or connector streets; > (3) The provisions of this chapter relating to reckless driving, driving in violation of Code Section 40-6-391, and homicide by vehicle shall apply to vehicles operated upon highways and elsewhere throughout the state; > (4) The provisions of Code Sections 40-6-270, 40-6-271, and 40-6-272 shall apply upon the highways of this state, in all parking areas, and in all areas which are customarily open to the public and within 200 feet of all such highways, parking areas, and areas customarily open to the public; > (5)(A) The provisions of this chapter shall apply to a vehicle operated on any private property of this state which fronts on coastal marshlands or estuarine area as defined in Code Section 12-5-282, provided the owner of the private property files with the local law enforcement agency having primary jurisdiction to enforce the uniform rules of the road in such area: > (i) A petition requesting such local law enforcement agency to enforce the uniform rules of the road on such private property; and > (ii) Simultaneously files a plat with the petition delineating the location of the roads, streets, and common areas on such private property. > (B) The local law enforcement agency having primary jurisdiction to enforce the uniform rules of the road in such area shall enforce the uniform rules of the road on said private property at no cost to the owner of the private property or enter into a contractual agreement with the owner of the private property whereby the owner of the private property consents to pay part or all of the law enforcement expenses to such law enforcement agency. > (C) All persons operating vehicles on said roads, streets, and common areas shall be subject to all state and local traffic laws and regulations the same as if said private roads and streets were public roads and streets. > (D) Any state or local law enforcement agency empowered to enforce the uniform rules of the road in such area shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the primary local law enforcement agency to enforce the rules of the road on said private property. > (E) At least 30 days´ prior notice shall be given to users of said private roads, streets, and common areas by publication in the newspapers of general circulation in the area and by posting signs along the private roads and streets specifying that state and local law enforcement agencies will be enforcing the uniform rules of the road on said private roads, streets, and common areas; and > (6)(A) Subject to the approval of the governing authority of the county or municipality, the provisions of this chapter shall apply to a vehicle operated within a privately owned residential area located within the corporate boundaries of a municipality or located within the boundaries of a county, provided the owner of the privately owned residential area files with the governing authority of such county or municipality: > (i) A petition signed by 50 percent of the property owners located in said subdivision requesting the law enforcement agency of the county or municipality to enforce the uniform rules of the road within such privately owned residential area; and > (ii) A plat delineating the location of roads, streets, and common areas within the privately owned residential area. > (B) Upon approval by the governing authority of the county or municipality, the law enforcement agency of such county or municipality shall enforce the uniform rules of the road within said privately owned residential area. > (C) All persons operating vehicles on the roads, streets, and common areas of said privately owned residential property shall be subject to all state and local traffic laws and regulations the same as if such private roads, streets, and common areas were public roads and streets. > (D) At least 30 days´ prior notice shall be given to users of said private roads, streets, and common areas by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the area and by posting signs along the private road, streets, and common areas specifying that the county law enforcement agency or municipal law enforcement agency will be enforcing the uniform rules of the roads on said private roads, streets, and common areas. > (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section, any law enforcement officer shall be authorized to write an accident report regarding any motor vehicle accident occurring on private property. [http://www.legis.state.ga.us/cgi-bin/gl\_codes\_detail.pl?code=40-6-3](http://www.legis.state.ga.us/cgi-bin/gl_codes_detail.pl?code=40-6-3) I started looking for a signal avoidance statute or similar statute. Found this so far. Will be back later. But think on this: If (2) is the only applicable provision, the sign is only enforceable if it is frequently disobeyed. On preview: > [@DougC](#): > > In the US, police can only enforce signs placed by local, state or federal government entities on public roads. Not so. Cites to follow. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2006, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-an-automotive-law-in-a-private-parking-lot/343428/16 "2006-02-07T23:19:58Z")
I don’t know for sure if it’s the case in all jurisdictions, but in Canadian provinces most traffic laws are applicable only on the Queen’s highways… … except, notably, for laws against drunk driving, which are technically not part of the various Highway Traffic Acts at all, but are a criminal offense. ---
**Author:** ![Duggy\_Fizzle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bb73d2/32.png) [@Duggy\_Fizzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duggy_Fizzle)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2006, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-an-automotive-law-in-a-private-parking-lot/343428/17 "2006-02-07T23:32:37Z")
The violation in question is called “shortcutting private property” and you can be issued a citation even though it is private property. Put yourself in the the gas station’s place (or strip mall, flower shop, etc). How would you feel if every body and their mother used drove on your property causing wear-and-tear without doing business? There are some laws that don’t apply to private property; such as speeding. You can’t be given a speeding ticket, but you CAN get a reckless op ticket. You can’t get a ticket for going through the stop sign at the mall, but if you are found to be drunk, you can be charged with OVI (this is in Ohio, btw). It also depends on the type of private property it is. If it is YOUR property you can do just about anything, except dirve drunk. But if it is on a “publicly accessible private property” you can be charged with driving under suspension among others. I guess my point is this: the law is in place to protect the property owner, not you. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2006, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-an-automotive-law-in-a-private-parking-lot/343428/18 "2006-02-08T01:21:08Z")
A provision dealing with parking or driving around in a private parking lot. Enforceable by the police, but not on point for this question. > [@](#): > > 40-6-252. > (a) No person shall, after having been requested not to do so by a law enforcement officer or an authorized agent of the owner, park or stand an occupied or unoccupied motor vehicle in or repeatedly drive a motor vehicle through or within a parking area located on privately owned property and provided by a merchant, group of merchants, or shopping center or other facility for customers if: > (1) The parking area is identified by at least one sign as specified in this paragraph, and if the parking area contains more than 150 parking spaces then by at least one such sign at each entrance to the parking area, each such sign containing the following information in easy-to-read printing: > (A) Notice of this Code section; > (B) Identification of the property which is reserved for customers´ use only; > © Identification of the merchant, group of merchants, or shopping center or other similar facility providing the parking area; and > (D) Warning that violators will be prosecuted; and > (2) The motor vehicle is parked, is standing, or is being operated other than for the purpose of: > (A) Transporting some person to or from the interior of the place of business of a merchant identified by the sign or signs in the parking area or to or from the interior of the shopping center or other facility so identified; > (B) Making use of a telephone, vending machine, automatic teller machine, or other similar facility located in the parking area; > © Meeting the requirements of a situation in which it has unexpectedly become impossible or impractical for the motor vehicle to continue to travel on the public roads; or > (D) Carrying out an activity for which express permission has been given by the owner of the parking area or an authorized representative of the owner. > (b) Any person who violates subsection (a) of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine: > (1) Not to exceed $50.00 for the first such offense; > (2) Not to exceed $100.00 for the second such offense; and > (3) Not to exceed $150.00 for the third or subsequent such offense. > © The governing authority of any municipal corporation by ordinance may adopt by reference the provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section without publishing or posting in full the provisions thereof. Any person violating any such ordinance shall be subject to a monetary fine: > (1) Not to exceed $50.00 for the first such violation; > (2) Not to exceed $100.00 for the second such violation; and > (3) Not to exceed $150.00 for the third or subsequent such violation. [http://www.legis.state.ga.us/cgi-bin/gl\_codes\_detail.pl?code=40-6-252](http://www.legis.state.ga.us/cgi-bin/gl_codes_detail.pl?code=40-6-252) So far, 40-6-3 is the closest I have found. Neither the [city](http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=12100&sid=10) nor the [county](http://www.municode.com/Resources/gateway.asp?pid=10816&sid=10) ordinances have any provisions that seem to apply. That leaves us with a question: > [@40-6-3](#): > > (2) The provisions of this chapter shall apply to a vehicle operated at shopping centers or parking lots or similar areas which although privately owned are customarily used by the public as through streets or connector streets; Does the phrase, “which although privately owned are customarily used by the public as through streets or connector streets,” modify “similar areas”? or does it modify “shopping centers or parking lots or similar areas.” If it is the former, then the sign is probably enforceable, if the latter, then things are more complicated. I wasn’t able to find any cases online. I’d wager the cops will go with the former, and you can miss a couple hours of work trying to convince the judge that it is the latter. > [@](#): > > …but otherwise, it’s not illegal to cut through such private property, and the police cannot arrest you for “not parking”. In the US, police can only enforce signs placed by local, state or federal government entities on public roads. You can for example, drive across the (privately-owned) shopping-mall parking lot at 120 MPH if you want, assuming no personal or property damage is done. The worst that can happen is that the property owners file a complaint telling you to stay off their parking lot, and the next time you are caught you can get fined just for tresspassing, but you would not get a “speeding ticket” in the typical sense, because local/state/federal speed limits are not valid on private property. Piffle. _E.g.,_ > [@](#): > > (2) A city, township, or village, with the consent of, or at the request of, a person who is in charge of a private road or parking lot, whether or not that road or parking lot is open to the general public, may contract with that person for the city, township, or village to enforce provisions of the uniform traffic code or ordinance adopted under this section on that private road or parking lot. As used in this subsection, “person” means an individual, corporation, association, partnership, or other legal entity. [http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(hwho01rjblsf0k45z0p2t3zf)/mileg.aspx?page=GetMCLDocument&objectname=mcl-257-951&queryid=12667668](http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(hwho01rjblsf0k45z0p2t3zf)/mileg.aspx?page=GetMCLDocument&objectname=mcl-257-951&queryid=12667668) _and see_, [Do traffic laws apply in parking lots?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=4659782#post4659782), [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=344730](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=344730). I remember at least one other thread on the issue, but I can’t find it right now. ---
**Author:** ![Thalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f475e1/32.png) [@Thalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thalion)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2006, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-an-automotive-law-in-a-private-parking-lot/343428/19 "2006-02-08T02:11:09Z")
In Washington state (where I’m a cop), the traffic codes only apply on roadways (with a few special exceptions, including disabled parking violations), not on private property. Criminal laws, however, apply everywhere. In the situation described by the OP, I could cite you for [Criminal Trespass 2](http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9A.52.080) for cutting through the parking lot, because the sign basically limits who can be on the property. I could only imagine this happening if the property owner had specifically asked our agency to do so, and even then only if I couldn’t think of a single better thing to do. ---
**Author:** ![jasonh300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2006, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-an-automotive-law-in-a-private-parking-lot/343428/20 "2006-02-08T03:34:57Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > That’s my thought too. I just didn’t think “you have to park here” rule really existed. I wonder what the ticketed offense is for when driving across a parking lot and not parking? In the case of my business parking lot, it’s “criminal trespass”. It doesn’t avoid any traffic control devices, it cuts across a block from a backstreet to an expressway. Cars cut through all the time, some of them doing 40 mph. We frequently have problems with customers backing out of their parking space into the path of a car flying through the parking lot. When this happened when a cop was in front of the store and there was a near accident, he stopped the motorist, and all he could do was issue a citation for trespassing. The guy had no business in the shopping center, he was cutting through. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-an-automotive-law-in-a-private-parking-lot/343428.md?page=2)