DRIVERS in a major US city have just days to go until overnight parking is banned for good – with offenders even facing having their cars towed away.
New rules around snow removal in Saint Paul, Minnesota, are being tested as part of a pilot program to keep residential streets clear all winter long.
In recent weeks, several signs alerting residents have sprung up across the city – warning those with cars of the new restrictions around parking in the Highland Park and Payne-Phalen areas.
The aim is to keep open paths for plows all season, instead of just for snow emergencies, but requires locals to memorise a bold and confusing new system.
The new ruling, which runs until April 12, works by having one side of the street cleared for parking on alternate weeks, depending on whether the week begins on an even or an odd number.
On weeks beginning with an even number, residents must park on the side of the street with even-numbered addresses.
On weeks beginning with an odd number, residents must park on the side of the street with odd-numbered addresses.
The only exception will be the week of April 6, when drivers must park on the side of the street with odd-numbered addresses.
What’s more, parking will be permitted on both sides of the streets on Sundays between 3 pm and 9 pm, with officials allowing this time period for people to move their vehicles to the other side of the street.
Some areas have exceptions, such as Montreal Avenue, where the rules only apply overnight.
Sean Kershaw, director of public works for the city of Saint Paul, said: “Rather than the message of moving your car multiple times in a snow event, keep it where it should be legally parked.
“We can get into residential streets sooner, and we think we can do a better job of getting all the snow to the curb.”
Pres Carljohn, a resident of Highland Park, bemoaned the new ruling, adding: “I think it’s crazy. I mean, it doesn’t make any sense. They are very confusing.”
Others, based in Payne-Phalen, said they were unaware of the new rules.
But those who did know about them believe they are a good idea, so long as the rules are enforced.
According to Saint Paul website, ticketing and towing enforcement wil be present throughout the winter season to support compliance.
The city believes the first few weeks of the program will be an educational phase, with ticketing and towing not to start until February 17.
Kershaw added: “We’ll test these this year, we’ll learn from them, we’ll talk to the residents, we’ll talk to our plow drivers and what we anticipate is we will expand test areas next year, based on what we’ve learned this year.”
Elsewhere in Minnesota, a teen driver who suffered a terrifying ordeal inside a runaway car has revealed the vehicle showed signs of issues just days before the incident.
In September 2024, 18-year-old Sam Dutcher was driving his Honda Pilot along the Clay County Highway when it became uncontrollable.
The teen reached speeds of 113 mph and only managed to stop when a State Trooper told him to crash into the back of his squad car to stop the vehicle.
Dutcher’s Pilot drove for some 40 miles in a frightening, 18-minute high-speed ride that could’ve resulted in much worse consequences.
The car was forced to speed through intersections north of Moorhead and Hawley as Dutcher called 911 and told dispatchers and law enforcement that nothing was slowing or stopping the car.
Now, in a new report, the Dutcher family have revealed they faced similar trouble with the car just 10 days prior.
But despite the obvious fault, Corwin Honda in Fargo said they found no issues with the car just days before during a thorough inspection.
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