The Department of Infrastructure in the Valencian Community, has established a new road marking system, by adopting a “red line” to indicate those places where the parking of a vehicle is prohibited as it would prevent disabled access to a pavement or a bus stop, amongst others.

According to sources in the department, it is one of the points stated in the bill of universal accessibility to the transport system of the Comunitat Valenciana, which aims to “ensure the necessary conditions for the transport system in the Comunitat are accessible to all citizens.”

Thus, in areas that are painted with a red line, vehicles must not obstruct the crossing points between the routes for pedestrians and road traffic, when it “prevents the crossing of that road or access to the pedestrian to persons with reduced mobility, is expressly prohibited parking and stopping at such points”, stressing that a breach of the rule will lead to the implementation of the sanctioning procedure.

The representative stressed that the bill “goes beyond the hitherto existing regulation,” since “not only focuses on groups of people with reduced mobility, but broadens its scope to other groups of people such as the elderly”.

Once approved, the law applies to all the planning, construction or transport infrastructure public or private, to the acquisition of transportation for urban public transportation or intercity passenger services and transport by public or private sector under concession or authorization.

In addition, the standard indicates how the new elements of the transport system must be fully accessible with “fixed terms and formulas for the adjustment of the stations, stops, pedestrian routes and fleets of buses and taxis, among others, so that at the beginning of the next decade, the Comunitat can have a fully accessible transport system,” he said.

Of course, when it comes to parking, you should always check the local road markings, signage and other restrictions that may be in place before you park your vehicle. Parking illegally and inconsideratly can not only lead to a fine, but could result in your vehicle being towed away and a hefty fee to have your car released.

A represntative picture only.