Winter Parking Ban Begins Dec. 13

The province's winter parking ban takes effect Monday, Dec. 13 in many communities throughout Nova Scotia.

The winter parking regulations help crews from the Department of Transportation and Public Works clear roads as quickly and safely as possible after snow storms.

The regulations apply to drivers in communities in 13 counties and ban parking on roads maintained by the department between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. Drivers are also restricted from parking on highways and streets from one hour after a snowstorm has begun, to two hours after a snowstorm has stopped.

Advertisements have appeared in newspapers listing the communities with restricted parking. The information is also posted on the department's website at http://www.gov.ns.ca/tran ; click on Winter Parking Regulations.

Some people are exempt from the parking ban, including:

• doctors parked near their offices or homes and who are on call;
• on-duty members of the police and fire departments and Armed Forces;
• commercial drivers in the process of loading and unloading; and
• drivers of public utility vehicles parked at or near their homes and who may be required to make emergency calls.

Drivers who ignore the winter parking regulations face penalties under the Motor Vehicle Act.

The winter parking rules are in effect until March 31, 2005.