Painting a Curb Red for Driveway Visibility

Q: I have trouble seeing traffic coming when exiting my driveway. Can you paint the curb red nearby so people don’t park so close?

A: The TAC encourages drivers to proceed cautiously into and out of driveways in consideration of the different uses and potential conflicts in the urban environment. Our approach seeks to balance safety, accessibility, and the various uses of the right-of-way while prioritizing the most vulnerable users, like pedestrians. Here are the key considerations and how they guide our decision-making:

1. Sight Distance Standards: The California Department of Transportation’s (Caltrans) Highway Design Manual (HDM, Section 405.1(2)(d)) clarifies that urban driveways do not require the same level of sight distance as intersections. For new driveways, the City adheres to the guidelines discussed in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices  (Section 3B.19.12), which recommends prohibiting parking within six feet on either side of a driveway. [SD1] [RR2] 
2. Driveway Design Considerations: The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (Section 5.3.2.12) highlights that sight distance is a critical consideration for driveways but is primarily controlled through regulations rather than an engineering standard based on vehicle speeds. A regulatory framework ensures a consistent and predictable approach while balancing other uses of the right-of-way, such as maximizing curb space for parking where permitted by regulations.
3. Urban Driveway Dynamics: In urban areas, where speeds are typically low and driveway density is high, drivers are expected to account for frequent driveway activity and adjust their speeds accordingly. Similarly, drivers entering or exiting driveways are expected to do so cautiously and at speeds that allow them to yield to pedestrians and cross traffic safely.
4. Safety Considerations: Parking removal adjacent to driveways is typically not necessary unless unique conditions exist, such as a documented history of crashes or unique geometrical features. In most cases, the TAC evaluates existing driveways through the lens of these key concepts, but parking is only removed in exceptional circumstances where data supports the need.
5. Pedestrian Prioritization: Providing adequate sight distance for pedestrians and drivers is important to ensure safe crossings and efficient use of sidewalks. Drivers crossing sidewalks must be vigilant and prepared to yield to pedestrians to prevent conflicts.

California Vehicle Code prohibits parking in front of driveways, which includes “flares” or ramped down portions of the curb adjacent to the “throat” of the driveway. By adjusting the length of these flares, we can effectively prohibit parking without the need to add red curb which requires regular maintenance.

By applying these concepts, the City aims to maintain a consistent, data-driven approach across our streets. Parking is an essential part of the right-of-way in urban areas, and its removal is carefully evaluated to ensure the needs of all users are balanced.