SEYMOUR — Local drivers are being urged to double-check which way their vehicles are facing before locking up and walking away. The Seymour Police Department has announced a new educational enforcement campaign aimed at curbing the illegal practice of wrong-way street parking.
According to police officials, officers will be actively scouting city streets for vehicles parked against the flow of traffic. The department’s initiative is intended to improve visibility, keep local traffic moving safely, and ensure city streets remain fully accessible to emergency vehicles.
Understanding the Law
Under Indiana State Code 9-21-16-7, parking a vehicle facing oncoming traffic is a traffic violation. State law dictates that every vehicle stopped or parked upon a two-way roadway must be positioned with its right-hand wheels parallel to and within 12 inches of the right-hand curb.
The only exception to this rule is on streets where local ordinances explicitly permit angled parking.
First Offense: A Warning on the Windshield
To ease drivers into compliance, the Seymour Police Department is initially focusing on public education rather than immediate citations.
Officers who spot an improperly parked car will place a bright orange or yellow “Warning” flyer on the offending vehicle’s windshield. The document explicitly cites the state code, notifying the owner that their vehicle is parked facing the wrong direction.
“Please park your vehicle on the right side of the street or curb,” the department’s flyer states, reminding motorists that the effort is crucial “to help keep traffic moving safely and our streets are accessible.”
Local authorities note that while warnings are being issued during the initial rollout of the campaign, repeat offenders or vehicles blocking critical traffic flow could face standard parking fines moving forward.
