Driving & Driving Test Tips: My driving book says that..., simpathy, yield sign

Question
My driving book says that in New York "parking or standing is not allowed within 30 feet (10 m) of a stop sign" but I always see cars parking right behind a stop sign. Am I misunderstanding something?

Answer
Dear Walter,

I am from the United Kingdom and therefore not familiar with the driving habits of people from New York.

You are absolutly right that within the state of New York Parking or Standing Within 30 feet (10 m) of a traffic light, STOP sign or YIELD sign is not permitted. There are also other places parking is not permitted. You can read about these in chaper 7 of the New York Drivers Manual (http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/dmanual/chapter07-manual.htm)

I expect like here in the United Kingdom people ignore parking restrictions, either through ignorance of the law or just because they can't be bothered to abide by them.

Please remember that ignorance of the law is NOT a defence in a court of law.

These laws are there for the safty of all road users especially pedestrians.

People don't see it as a crime to park in a restricted area and 90% of the time they will not get a ticket for doing so, but when they do get a ticket I have no simpathy for them.

If you can't pay the fine don't do the crime.

You now have the choice of abiding by the rules (it is good that you know them. I expect most of your friends don't) or doing what everone else does. If you decide to park in a restriced area and get caught please don't complain to me!

I hope I have been of some help and please feel free to ask any other questions you may have. I try to help wherever I can.

Happy Motoring,

Paul