Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 61. MOTOR VEHICLES

CHAPTER 8. TRAFFIC REGULATION

Part 3. Vehicle Operating Requirements

Stopping, Standing, Or Parking Prohibited In Specified Places -- Exceptions -- Definition

61-8-354. Stopping, standing, or parking prohibited in specified places -- exceptions -- definition. (1) A person may not stop, stand, or park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with law or the directions of a police officer, highway patrol officer, or official traffic control device, in any of the following places:

(a) on a sidewalk;

(b) in front of a public or private driveway;

(c) within an intersection;

(d) within 15 feet of a fire hydrant;

(e) on a crosswalk;

(f) within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection;

(g) within 30 feet upon the approach to any flashing beacon, stop sign, or official traffic control device located at the side of a roadway;

(h) between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within 30 feet of points on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless the local authorities indicate a different length by signs or markings;

(i) within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing;

(j) within 20 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite the entrance to any fire station within 75 feet of the entrance when properly signposted;

(k) alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when stopping, standing, or parking would obstruct traffic;

(l) on the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street;

(m) upon any bridge or other elevated structure upon a highway or within a highway tunnel;

(n) at any place where official traffic control devices prohibit stopping.

(2) A public bus stop may not be established in the areas described in subsections (1)(a) through (1)(c) and (1)(e). Otherwise, this section does not prohibit the establishment of public bus stops and the regulation of their use by the authority having jurisdiction. A bus stop may only be established pursuant to a traffic and engineering study.

(3) A person may not move a vehicle not lawfully under the person's control into a prohibited area or an unlawful distance away from a curb.

(4) As used in this section, "safety zone" means the area or space that is officially set apart within a roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians and that is protected or is so marked or indicated by adequate signs as to be plainly visible at all times while set apart as a safety zone.

History: En. Sec. 98, Ch. 263, L. 1955; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-101; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 417, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 450, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 217, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 512, L. 1991; amd. Secs. 33, 51(1), Ch. 352, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 201, Ch. 542, L. 2005.