Traffic Laws in Parking Lots

[Duckster]

@Malienation

Ever see those yellow speed limit signs (often at exit ramps)? They’re yellow because they aren’t enforceable absent a traffic accident. The cops can’t give you a ticket if you go faster than the speed posted on them. However, if you cause an accident and the cause can be traced back to the fact that you were going faster than the posted speed limit, you can be ticketed.

Actually, those yellow traffic signs are warning signs, and depending upon jurisdiction, may be enforced the same as regulatory traffic signs. Both kinds are classified as traffic control devices. One should check their own local laws regarding traffic control devices and whether or not how violations under the various devices may or may not be enforced, accident or otherwise.

[Ignatz]

@Duckster

Actually, those yellow traffic signs are warning signs, and depending upon jurisdiction, may be enforced the same as regulatory traffic signs. Both kinds are classified as traffic control devices. One should check their own local laws regarding traffic control devices and whether or not how violations under the various devices may or may not be enforced, accident or otherwise.

No, U.S. stop and yield signs were indeed black on yellow until the 1961 edition of the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices was published. That manual has been updated several times since then and has the force of federal law by the US Code. The current one states that its uniform signage standards are to be followed even on private property open to the public. Enforcement of that stipulation is rare at local level but some states, such as NC, have statutes affirming that requirement, but, again, enforcement is rare, with no federal penalties being invokable. So, if your local W-Mart paints their parking lot with yellow paint, that is in violation of federal law which requires that “Parking space markings shall be white”, but that’s another issue.

As for the enforcement of traffic regulations on such “public vehicular areas” (PVAs), NC law states,

"§ 20 158. Vehicle control signs and signals.

…(c) Control of Vehicles at Places other than Intersections. –
(1) When a stop sign has been erected or installed at a place other than an intersection, it shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to fail to stop in obedience thereto and yield the right of way to pedestrians and other vehicles."

The federal “Manual” can be seen, at http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov

[Loach]

@Ignatz

No, U.S. stop and yield signs were indeed black on yellow until the 1961 edition of the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices was published. That manual has been updated several times since then and has the force of federal law by the US Code. The current one states that its uniform signage standards are to be followed even on private property open to the public. Enforcement of that stipulation is rare at local level but some states, such as NC, have statutes affirming that requirement, but, again, enforcement is rare, with no federal penalties being invokable. So, if your local W-Mart paints their parking lot with yellow paint, that is in violation of federal law which requires that “Parking space markings shall be white”, but that’s another issue.

As for the enforcement of traffic regulations on such “public vehicular areas” (PVAs), NC law states,

"§ 20 158. Vehicle control signs and signals.

…(c) Control of Vehicles at Places other than Intersections. –
(1) When a stop sign has been erected or installed at a place other than an intersection, it shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to fail to stop in obedience thereto and yield the right of way to pedestrians and other vehicles."

The federal “Manual” can be seen, at http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov

I don’t know where you are going with this. The federal government set guidelines and standards. Not traffic laws. All traffic laws are local. The federal government couldn’t set the 55mph speed limit. It could only blackmail the states into passing it. Federal guidelines on signage has nothing to do with the OP. Your quote of NC laws is relevant but of course only in NC.

[_no_way_jose]

@Loach

As usual I can only answer with my knowledge of New Jersey laws. In NJ there are a few very specific motor vehicle statutes that can be applied on private property. Not following lane markings or stop signs that Walmart puts up in their parking lot is not enforcable the same as if you were on the roadway. However, careless driving and reckless driving tickets can be written on private property. So even though the specific statutes can’t be enforced, if you drive like an idiot (careless driving) or a maniac (reckless driving) you can get a ticket.

My brother got a parking ticket in his car that is registered in my name. My license was suspened becasue he never told me about. This weekend i was pulled over in Willowbrook mall parting lot by municipal police. His reason for stoping me was that i had tinted plate cover (which i had) Upon this he cited me 3 tickets…

1.Unclear plates
2.Driving with a suspended license (but did not tow my car)
3.No seat belt

I spoke to my cousin who is a milburn twp police officer and he said the only tickets they are allowed to write on private property are…

1.Careless or Wreckless driving
2.I don’t remember but didnt apply to me
3.Also dont remember but also didnt apply to me.

So my question is basically, is this true and what are the chances of getting the tickets out, especially the driving with a suspended license.

[Colibri]

Since the same question has been posted here, and this is an old thread, I’m closing this one.

Colibri
General Questions Moderator