Has the law changed to expand which freeway lanes semi trucks can drive in?
Q: Richard Hulse of Upland asked if the law has changed to allow semi trucks to drive in the right three lanes on the 210 Freeway in the Upland area. For years, the large trucks have been restricted to driving in the right two lanes on the 210, Hulse said.
A: The answer is no. If big rigs are driving in the third lane from the right on the 210 in Upland, they are doing so illegally, said Dan Olivas of the California Highway Patrol Inland Division. If the freeway has four lanes going in the same direction, large trucks can only drive in the two most outer lanes and when passing another vehicle, these trucks should use the second lane from the right. They cannot be in the third lane from the right, Olivas said.
Q: James Hirsch owns an office building in downtown Riverside with a parking lot that has one space for disabled drivers. All the spaces, including the space for the disabled driver, are reserved for tenants and signs are posted that indicate there is no public parking there in accordance with California law. Hirsch asked how long a disabled driver can use a parking space. “Can they stay there indefinitely? Park in a space and take Uber to the airport, not returning for several days or weeks?”
A: Unfortunately, the California Vehicle Code doesn’t clearly address privately-owned and operated parking lots with reserved disabled parking spaces, said Sgt. James Elliott of the Riverside Police Department’s Traffic Bureau/Technical Services Unit.
Elliot suggested our reader seek legal advice to interpret the law regarding towing and also provided additional information about towing and the Vehicle Code that governs the removal of vehicles from private property.
“You will find that although it is lengthy, it does not specifically address parking in spaces designated for disabled persons. Section 22953 CVC allows for the removal of vehicles illegally parked in spaces or stalls designated for disabled persons. In short, removal from private property is primarily a civil issue and an attorney will be able to provide further guidance,” Elliot said.
Section 22658 CVC provides the requirements that must be met for removal from private property, he said. “It should also be noted that notices may be placed on a vehicle advising that it will be removed if still parked at the location after 96 hours. As the vehicle code does not differentiate between regular parking spaces and those designated for disabled persons when it comes to removal from private property, these same rules apply.”
Our reader can reach out to the Riverside Police Department or Riverside City Attorney’s Office for a brochure on towed vehicles. It’s called, “The Riverside Car Owner’s Guide For When Your Vehicle is Towed from Private Property, Laws and Guidelines to Know Your Rights.”
Do you commute to work in the Inland Empire? Spend a lot of time in your vehicle? Have questions about driving, freeways, toll roads or parking? If so, write or call On the Road and we’ll try to answer your questions. Please include your question or issue, name, city of residence, phone number and email address. Write ontheroad@scng.com or call us at our new phone number, 951-368-9995.