Blocking curb ramps, crosswalks and sidewalks: who it hurts and what the law says

How parking over a ramp or sidewalk strands people, and what the fines look like

Safety Behind the Wheel Foundationdrivewithcare.org

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For every driver11 min read

Pedestrian and bicycle safetyLiving with disabilityState traffic lawsParking lot and site safetySharing the road

A few inches that change someone's whole route

Picture a woman in a power wheelchair heading to the bus stop. She reaches the corner. The curb ramp is blocked. A pickup is parked with its rear bumper hanging over the slope, or a car has nosed into the crosswalk while waiting for the light.

For most people, that’s a small annoyance. You step around the bumper or walk to the other side of the car. She can’t. A wheelchair needs a smooth, sloped path from the sidewalk to the street. Without the ramp, she can wait or roll back up the block looking for a driveway. Or she can leave the sidewalk and travel in the street with traffic.

That last choice is common. It’s also dangerous. The U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Highway Administration addressed this in joint guidance. Without curb ramps, they wrote, people using wheelchairs, scooters and other mobility devices “are forced to travel in streets and roadways and are put in danger” [1].

A Georgetown University researcher who led a national study of wheelchair users killed in traffic made the same point. People who use wheelchairs “often are forced to use the streets,” he said [7].

Drivers don’t usually block a ramp on purpose. They pull into a driveway that’s a little too short, or they creep forward at a light. But the effect on the person trying to get by can be the same as a locked door.

Who depends on curb ramps and clear sidewalks

This isn’t a small group. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 1 in 4 U.S. adults has a disability. About 12.2% of adults have a mobility disability. For vision disability, the figure is 5.5% [8].

Census data from 2014 counted about 5.5 million adults who used a wheelchair. Another 18.4 million used a cane, crutches or a walker [9].

Curb ramps also matter to people you may not think of right away:

  • Parents pushing strollers and caregivers walking with young children.
  • Older adults who find a full curb step hard on their knees or balance.
  • Delivery workers rolling hand trucks and travelers pulling luggage.
  • People who are blind or have low vision. The raised bumps at the bottom of a ramp, called detectable warnings, alert them “of their approach to street crossings” [10]. A car parked over those bumps hides the warning.

Walking is also how many people with disabilities get around. The U.S. Access Board, the federal agency that writes accessibility guidelines, notes that pedestrian travel “is the principal means of independent transportation for many people with disabilities” [11].

How curb ramps are supposed to work

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), new or altered streets with curbs must have curb ramps or other sloped areas at intersections [1]. In 2023, the Access Board issued detailed design guidelines for sidewalks and street crossings, known as PROWAG. The rule took effect on September 7, 2023 [11].

PROWAG is only a set of guidelines until other agencies adopt it as an enforceable standard [11]. The U.S. Department of Transportation adopted it for transit stops, effective January 17, 2025 [12]. As of May 2026, the Department of Justice had not adopted it for streets in general [13].

Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation

FeatureRequirement
SlopeNo steeper than 1:12, or 8.3%, about one inch of rise for every foot of length [14]
WidthAt least 48 inches wide [14]
LocationFully inside the crosswalk it serves [14]
Detectable warningRaised domes at least 24 inches deep, across the full width of the ramp [14]

Those numbers explain why a parked car does so much damage. Many ramps are only about four feet wide. A bumper hanging into it, or a car stopped across the bottom, can take away the whole usable path.

What happens when people are pushed into the street

The best national data on this topic come from a 2015 study by researchers Kraemer and Benton. They estimated that 528 people using wheelchairs were killed as pedestrians from 2006 to 2012 [2].

  • Wheelchair users died at a rate of 2.07 per 100,000 person years. That’s 36% higher than the rate for the general population [2].
  • Men faced more than five times the risk of women [2].
  • About 47.6% of the deaths happened at intersections. Of those, 38.7% were at places with no traffic signal, stop sign or other control [2].
  • Drivers failed to yield in 21.4% of the crashes. In 76.4%, the driver made no move to avoid the person [2].

That last figure suggests many drivers never saw the person at all. A seated adult is lower than a standing one. A wheelchair rolling out from between parked cars, or from behind a stopped vehicle, gives a driver little warning.

These deaths are easy to miss in official counts. NHTSA does not count people in wheelchairs as pedestrians. It groups wheelchairs and mobility scooters with “personal conveyances” [15]. In 2024, NHTSA recorded 123 deaths of people on a mobility aid device, separate from the 7,080 pedestrians killed that year [15].

Who blocks sidewalks and ramps

E-scooters left across the sidewalk get a lot of attention. They can be a real hazard. But the data point to a bigger problem: cars and trucks.

  • A study of five U.S. cities made 3,666 observations of parked vehicles. Overall, 24.7% of motor vehicles blocked pedestrian access, compared with 1.7% of e-scooters and 0.3% of bikes. Ride hailing and delivery drivers caused more than their share [3].
  • In a national survey of 2,347 adults, people rated cars as the most annoying sidewalk obstruction. People with mobility disabilities reported running into obstructions more often than others [16].
  • In New York City, a study found sidewalk or crosswalk parking near 70 of 77 police station houses, which forced people walking into traffic [17].

Scooter rules show that clear expectations help. After Washington, D.C., required shared scooters to be locked to a fixed object, the share of scooters blocking access fell from 5.9% to 2.4% [18].

Five common ways drivers block the path

Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation

What drivers doWhy it’s a problemDo this instead
Park in a short driveway with the car hanging over the sidewalkLeaves no room for a wheelchair, walker or stroller to passPark on the street or pull all the way in
Stop in the crosswalk at a red lightForces people crossing to go around your car, into moving trafficStop at the stop line, or before the crosswalk if there’s no line
Pull into an intersection with no room on the far sideLeaves your car in the crosswalk when the light changesWait until there’s space for your whole car past the far crosswalk
Park at or next to a lowered curb or curb rampCuts off the only step free route between sidewalk and streetTreat the ramp and the curb beside it as a no stopping zone
Use the striped aisle beside an accessible spaceTakes the room needed for a van ramp or lift and for transfersPark only in a marked space, never in the stripes

California, Texas and New York all require drivers to stop at the stop line at a red light, or before the crosswalk if there’s no line [19, 20, 21]. California also bars drivers from entering an intersection or marked crosswalk without room to clear it [22].

What the law says

States and cities ban parking on sidewalks and crosswalks in different ways. The fines vary a lot. Here are a few examples.

California

California’s main parking statute bans stopping or parking in an intersection, on a crosswalk or in front of a driveway. It also covers a lowered curb built for wheelchair access [23]. It also bans parking on a sidewalk “or with the body of the vehicle extending over a portion of a sidewalk” [23]. That means even a few inches of bumper over the sidewalk can earn a ticket. Where a sign or red paint marks it, drivers must also stay 3 feet away from a sidewalk access ramp [24].

New York

New York bans stopping, standing or parking on a sidewalk, on a crosswalk or within an intersection. It also bans standing or parking alongside or blocking a lowered curb [25]. The ramp rule makes room for a quick passenger pickup or drop off. The sidewalk and crosswalk rules do not [25].

Texas and Florida

Texas bans stopping on a sidewalk, on a crosswalk or in an intersection [26]. Blocking an access aisle or a curb ramp is a misdemeanor with a fine of $500 to $750 [6]. Florida’s rules ban stopping on a sidewalk, in an intersection or on a crosswalk, with a state base fine of $30 [27, 28]. Blocking an access aisle or curb cut costs $100 or whatever the county sets [29, 28].

Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation

ViolationNew York CitySan Francisco
Parking on a sidewalk$115$108
Parking in a crosswalk$115$108
Blocking a pedestrian or wheelchair ramp$165$518
Parking too close to a ramp where marked (CVC 22522)Not applicable$348
Parking in an access aisleSee city rules$518
Blocking the box (entering without room to clear)$115$108

New York City figures come from the city’s violation code list [4]. San Francisco figures come from its fine schedule effective July 1, 2026 [5]. Other cities set their own amounts. Santa Barbara, for example, charges $400 for blocking a curb ramp [30].

Access aisles are not extra parking

The striped area next to an accessible parking space has a job. It gives a person room to unfold a wheelchair, lower a van ramp or swing out a lift. Federal design standards require these aisles to be at least 60 inches wide, or 96 inches for van spaces, and marked to discourage parking [31].

Parking in the stripes is illegal even if you have a disability placard. In California, a first offense can bring a fine of $250 to $500 [32, 33]. Texas and Florida also ban it [6, 29].

How to park and stop without blocking anyone

If you see someone waiting at a blocked ramp, give them time and room. They may need to roll into the street to get around the car. They’re counting on you to see them.

Frequently asked questions

Can I park in my own driveway if my car hangs over the sidewalk?

In California, no. The law bans parking with any part of the vehicle extending over a sidewalk [23]. San Francisco fines it $108 [5]. New York, Texas and Florida also ban parking on a sidewalk [25, 26, 27]. If your car doesn’t fit, park on the street.

Is it illegal to stop in the crosswalk at a red light?

In many states, yes. California, Texas and New York require you to stop before the crosswalk [19, 20, 21]. Entering an intersection without room to clear it can also bring a ticket, $115 in New York City and $108 in San Francisco [4, 5].

Can I get a ticket for blocking a curb ramp?

Yes. Fines include $165 in New York City and $518 in San Francisco. Santa Barbara charges $400 [4, 5, 30]. In Texas, it’s a misdemeanor with a fine of $500 to $750 [6].

Can I park in the striped access aisle if I have a disability placard?

No. California, Texas and Florida all ban parking in those aisles, placard or not [32, 6, 29]. The space is there for ramps, lifts and transfers.

Is a quick drop off on the sidewalk or ramp OK?

Usually not. California’s rules apply whether a vehicle is attended or not [23]. New York allows a brief passenger stop at a lowered curb, but not on a sidewalk or crosswalk [25]. Pull to a legal space instead.

The bottom line

Recommendation from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation

A curb ramp, a crosswalk and a clear sidewalk make up one connected path. When a car blocks any piece of it, people who use wheelchairs, walkers or strollers may have no safe way around except the street. Research shows those trips into traffic carry real risk. Many of the drivers involved never see the person.

Keeping the path open costs you very little. Park fully off the sidewalk, stop behind the crosswalk, leave ramps and striped aisles alone and look low when you pull out. Those habits keep a short trip from turning into a dangerous one for someone else.

Sources and further reading

  1. 1U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Highway Administration. “Joint Technical Assistance on the Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements to Provide Curb Ramps when Streets, Roads, or Highways are Altered through Resurfacing.” July 8, 2013. archive.ada.gov/doj-fhwa-ta.pdf
  2. 2Kraemer JD, Benton CS. “Disparities in road crash mortality among pedestrians using wheelchairs in the USA.” BMJ Open 2015;5(11):e008396. doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008396
  3. 3Brown AE, Klein NJ, Thigpen C, Williams N. “Impeding access: The frequency and characteristics of improper scooter, bike, and car parking.” Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives 4:100099, 2020. doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2020.100099
  4. 4NYC Department of Finance. “Violation codes, fines, rules, and regulations.” Accessed October 2026. nyc.gov/…/services-violation-codes.pa…
  5. 5San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA). “Fees and Fines (Effective July 1, 2026).” Revised June 15, 2026. sfmta.com/media/45130/download
  6. 6Texas Transportation Code Section 681.011: Offenses; presumption. texas.public.law/…/tex._transp._code_section_6…
  7. 7Georgetown University Medical Center. “Majority of Car-Pedestrian Deaths Happen to Those in Wheelchairs, Often at Intersections.” November 19, 2015. gumc.georgetown.edu
  8. 8Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Disability Impacts All of Us Infographic.” Updated May 5, 2026. cdc.gov/…/disability-impacts-all-of-u…
  9. 9Taylor DM. “Americans With Disabilities: 2014” (P70-152). U.S. Census Bureau, November 2018. census.gov/…/p70-152.pdf
  10. 10U.S. Access Board. “Detectable Warnings Update.” March 2014. access-board.gov/…/detectable-warnings-update.…
  11. 11U.S. Access Board. “U.S. Access Board Issues Final Rule on Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines.” August 8, 2023. access-board.gov/…/u-s-access-board-issues-fin…
  12. 12U.S. Access Board. “DOT Adopts Access Board’s Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines into Enforceable Standards.” December 18, 2024. access-board.gov/…/dot-adopts-access-board-s-p…
  13. 13New York State Department of Transportation, Landscape Architecture Bureau. “Accessibility for All in the Public Right of Way.” Presentation, May 28, 2026. nymtc.org/…/Accessible%20Pedestrian%20F…
  14. 14U.S. Access Board. “PROWAG Chapter R3: Technical Requirements.” Accessed October 2026. access-board.gov/prowag/technical.html
  15. 15National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). “Pedestrians: 2024 Data” (DOT HS 813 818). June 2026. crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/…/813818
  16. 16Brown A, Ralph K, Klein NJ, Thigpen C. “Do scooters obstruct access, or attention? Perceptions of sidewalk conflicts and overlooked causes of obstruction.” Transportation Research Part F, 2026. Abstract. consensus.app/…/71619a10f48653d5bd380d0c2d6…
  17. 17Moran ME. “Authorized Vehicles Only: Police, parking, and pedestrian access in New York City.” Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 2023. Abstract. consensus.app/…/7fe950b18d6f54d38334bc14b93…
  18. 18Klein N, Brown A, Thigpen C. “Clutter and Compliance: Scooter Parking Interventions and Perceptions.” Active Travel Studies 3(1), January 9, 2023. activetravelstudies.org/article/id/1196
  19. 19California Vehicle Code Section 21453: Steady red signal. california.public.law/…/vehicle_code_section_21453
  20. 20Texas Transportation Code Section 544.007: Traffic control signals in general. texas.public.law/…/tex._transp._code_section_5…
  21. 21New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1111: Traffic control signal indications. newyork.public.law/…/n.y._vehicle_and_traffic_la…
  22. 22California Vehicle Code Section 22526: Anti gridlock act. california.public.law/…/vehicle_code_section_22526
  23. 23California Vehicle Code Section 22500: Prohibited stopping, standing, or parking. california.public.law/…/vehicle_code_section_22500
  24. 24California Vehicle Code Section 22522: Parking near sidewalk access ramps. codes.findlaw.com/…/veh-sect-22522
  25. 25New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1202: Stopping, standing and parking prohibited in specified places. nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/VAT/1202
  26. 26Texas Transportation Code Section 545.302: Stopping, standing, or parking prohibited in certain places. texas.public.law/…/tex._transp._code_section_5…
  27. 27Florida Statutes Section 316.1945 (2025): Stopping, standing, or parking prohibited in specified places. flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/316.1945
  28. 28Florida Statutes Section 318.18 (2025): Amount of penalties. flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/318.18
  29. 29Florida Statutes Section 316.1955 (2025): Enforcement of parking requirements for persons who have disabilities. flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/316.1955
  30. 30City of Santa Barbara. Resolution 25-022 (parking fine schedule). Adopted March 4, 2025. santabarbaraca.gov/…/Resolution%2025-022.pdf
  31. 31U.S. Access Board. “Guide to the ADA Accessibility Standards, Chapter 5: Parking Spaces.” Accessed October 2026. access-board.gov/…/chapter-5-parking
  32. 32California Vehicle Code Section 22507.8: Parking in spaces for persons with disabilities. california.public.law/…/ca_veh_code_section_22507.8
  33. 33California Vehicle Code Section 42001.13: Penalties for disabled parking violations (2025 code). law.justia.com/…/section-42001-13

This article reflects the safety priorities of accessibility and pedestrian safety education. It covers why blocking curb ramps, crosswalks and sidewalks puts people at risk, what some state and city laws say and how to park without blocking anyone. It is general education, not legal advice. Fines change, so check your state and city rules. Reviewed October 2026.

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