
Lubbock Debates: Is It Legal Or Okay To Cut Through A Business Parking Lot?
I recently saw a (now deleted) Facebook post in which a local business owner asked the public to refrain from "cutting through" the parking lot to avoid a stop sign. The post was made anonymously, so I don't know what the business was.
The business owner claimed that the practice is illegal and that it is unfair to the business owner, who has to pay to maintain the parking lot.
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However, in the comments, many Lubbockites argued that it was legal and ok to use the parking lot like a side street. So, who is in the "right" here?
Is It Legal To Cut Through A Parking Lot In Lubbock, Texas?
Some people in the comments said that the legality of cutting through parking lots is up to the municipality; however, state law supersedes local law.
I was unable to find any local law about it- probably because it is unnecessary for Lubbock to have one, as it is illegal in the state of Texas to cut through a parking lot without stopping.
Sec. 545.423. CROSSING PROPERTY. (a) An operator may not cross a sidewalk or drive through a driveway, parking lot, or business or residential entrance without stopping the vehicle.
(b) An operator may not cross or drive in or on a sidewalk, driveway, parking lot, or business or residential entrance at an intersection to turn right or left from one highway to another highway.
According to Hernandez & Sunosky, Texas Injury Attorneys, this law exists for safety reasons.
Increased traffic with people in a rush is a potential recipe for disaster. People can be seriously injured, or worse, killed by impatient drivers driving through a parking lot to get on their way.
Is It Wrong To Cut Through A Parking Lot In Texas?
Legal and ethical are not always equitable. We've established that it's not legal, but is it okay?
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Safety concerns aside, it IS a pretty rude thing to do, and the anonymous business owner has a point- if too many people do it, it will damage their parking lot. City streets are maintained through our taxes, but the owner of a driveway is on their own to pay for wear and tear.
I'll admit that I've used a parking lot to turn around when I very occasionally need to, but using one to avoid a stop sign is habitual behavior and one that gets copied. It's not harmless, and it is dangerous.
What Is The Penalty For Cutting Through A Parking Lot In Lubbock, Texas?
So you went ahead and cut through the parking lot- and got popped. What's the consequence?
According to Aulsbrook, Texas Injury Attorney, "if you don’t stop or park, you could be subject to a fine between $25 and $299 for a first offense. Repeat offenders are subject to a fine between $100 and $200."
Additionally, if you cause an accident, you will be responsible for that, too. And if you broke any other laws, you could go to jail.
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