Why would I get a ticket for parking by a fire hydrant if it is not painted red?

Question

The hydrant was locatd on a corner (imagine an L). On the vertical part of the L, the side walk was painted red (the hydrant is in the corner of the L). On the horizontal part of the L, the sidewalk was NOT red.... so that is where I parked. But I got a ticket.....BUT the hydrant was NOT blocked (because of the red part). So WHY didn't they just paint BOTH parts red? Why would they ticket me for parking in a non-red zone...>:(??? Do I have a case?

Answer 1

No your screwed

Answer 2

I don't think you have a case. I've seen fire hydrants in many colors, and parking in front of any of them is illegal.

Answer 3

I wouldn't waste my time fighting this.  If you "think" you're too close to they hydrant (fire plug, as one post called it); then YOU ARE!!

Hydrants can be painted any color, unless dictated by local ordinance.  Many areas have them color coded based on the flow rate of the water main.  So if there's a fire, and the firefighters have a choice of two hydrants the same distance from the fire, they'll choose the higher flow rate.  There is a standard on what the colors designate; I think that it is yellow, orange, red and green, with green having the highest flow rate.

98% of firefighters are really cool; but don't think that any of them wouldn't get a kick out of doing a "backdraft".  Putting the hose throught the car windows!  It ranks right up there with using the hydraulic cutters on the door or roof of a police car because an accident victim sat in the police car to get out of the weather.  

Bottom line, why chance it?

Answer 4

In California, the parking is restricted to beyond 15 feet of the hydrant, regardless of the coloring on the curb.  In this state, the citation would not be for parking in a red zone.  It would be for parking within 15 feet of the hydrant.

Regarding your case?  Depends on the laws in your state.

Answer 5

You can not park near a fire hydrant no matter what. How would you feel about this situation if someone had blocked a fire hydrant near your house as it burned.

Answer 6

if it is painted yellow is it still a fire hydrant

Answer 7

Most states require you to be between 15 to 30 feet away from the fire hydrant and if you were then take pictures as stated above with you to court and good luck........................

Answer 8

dont matter what color it is could have been pink and yellow stripes you still cant park there only a case of dumb

Answer 9

Common sense must prevail when parking near hydrants. Not all curbs are painted in their entirety. If you were parked in a metered spot, you have a case. Check out the signs there, also. Get a photo of the spot. The judge may see your side of it. Otherwise, prepare to cough up some cash.

Good luck.

Answer 10

Even though you parked where the sidewalk wasn't red, you still parked too close to a fire hydrant.

You could take a picture of the area where you parked and received the ticket, but they'd probably challenge your driving skills, since it's supposed to be common knowledge for every driver not to park close to a fire hydrant. Though, I have been to many cities where the sidewalk isn't marked at all.

The first thing that comes to mind is the movie Backdraft where they had to bust the windows out of a car to get the hose through.

Answer 11

check your local laws I'm pretty sure you can't park within 16' of a hydrant

Answer 12

Go back and take a digital photo. Take it to court. You will be scolded based upon common sense, however, the law is the law and it is black and white while common sense is a grey area. The area which a car cannot be parked must be clearly marked and distinguishable from adjoining spaces.

Answer 13

The answer is in your local ordinance covering fireplugs; if fire plugs must be red in your area, you have a case, if not, you don't.

Answer 14

you can't park in front of a firehydrant, or within a certain range of it as far as I know. I think its 4m. And it doesn't need to be red. at least not where I'm from. all the hydrants I've ever seen are yellow.