The How and Why

How Daylighting Helps People Walking and Driving

  • The top row of diagrams show how the clearance of 20 feet can make a big difference for street safety at our painted crosswalks.
  • The bottom row of diagrams show how the clearance of 20 feet can make a big difference for street safety at our unpainted crosswalks.
  • These diagrams show how the clearance of 20 feet can make a big difference for street safety at painted and unpainted crosswalks.
  • For pedestrians, daylighting means that they don’t have to venture into the intersection and peek around parked cars to see if they have a clear path to cross. This is especially important for children, who are less visible at intersections. 
  • At the same time, drivers get a clearer view of the intersection and can easily see if someone is waiting to cross from well in advance. For more information on how visibility is essential to the safety of intersections, check out the research from the experts at the National Association of City Transportation Officials.

Why California Changed its Intersection Parking Law

  • Before the state legislature passed the Daylighting Law in 2023, California was one of the few states that did not require daylighting at intersections.
  • The U.S. Uniform Vehicle Code, adopted in 1926, prohibited parking within 25 feet of an intersection. This later was amended to 20 feet. Many countries around the world also prohibit parking within 5 meters (or 16 feet) of an intersection.
  • California, however, opted to create the state’s own Vehicle Code. It did not include daylighting provisions. So, while daylighting is new to California, the concept is almost as old as the automobile itself.
  • Now, California joins the more than 40 states that mandate daylighting. So, remember to change the way you park at intersections. Leave a car-length space between your vehicle and the crosswalk in front of you if there is no red zone or parking sign.
  • The statewide "Daylighting Law" (Assembly Bill 413), goes into effect on January 1, 2025. This law was passed to improve safety at intersections, especially for pedestrians, and it applies to all crosswalks, whether the crossing is painted or not.
AB 413 Daylighting