TEA Traffic Enforcement 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A vehicle is parked entirely on a public sidewalk, blocking pedestrian access. Which enforcement action is most appropriate?
- Issue a warning if this is the first observed occurrence
- Issue a citation and arrange for towing if the blockage is complete (Correct answer)
- Only enforce if a pedestrian files a complaint
- Take no action if the vehicle has a valid registration
Correct answer: Issue a citation and arrange for towing if the blockage is complete
Vehicles blocking sidewalks create accessibility violations and public safety hazards; citation and towing are appropriate when pedestrian passage is obstructed.
Question 2: What information is typically NOT required on a parking citation?
- Vehicle make, model, and color
- The driver's Social Security Number (Correct answer)
- Date, time, and location of the violation
- The applicable code section violated
Correct answer: The driver's Social Security Number
Parking citations document the vehicle and violation details but do not require the driver's Social Security Number, which is sensitive personal information.
Question 3: A vehicle is partially blocking an intersection crosswalk. The vehicle's front bumper extends two feet into the marked crosswalk. What action should be taken?
- No citation if the majority of the vehicle is outside the crosswalk
- Issue a citation because any encroachment into a crosswalk is a violation (Correct answer)
- Issue a citation only if pedestrians were actively inconvenienced
- Document and warn the driver verbally without a citation
Correct answer: Issue a citation because any encroachment into a crosswalk is a violation
Vehicles must not park within or blocking a marked crosswalk; any encroachment constitutes a violation regardless of degree.
Question 4: What does a yellow curb marking typically indicate?
- No parking at any time
- Commercial loading and unloading only, usually with a time limit (Correct answer)
- Passenger drop-off zone
- Parking for residents with permits only
Correct answer: Commercial loading and unloading only, usually with a time limit
Yellow curbs designate commercial vehicle loading zones where trucks and commercial vehicles may stop briefly for loading or unloading, often with posted time limits.
Question 5: A TEA discovers a vehicle that has been parked in the same spot for 72 hours without moving. The area has a 48-hour parking limit. What is the appropriate action?
- Issue a single citation for the excess time
- Issue a citation and flag the vehicle for potential abandonment or towing (Correct answer)
- Take no action since the 48-hour rule only applies on weekdays
- Issue two citations — one for each day of excess parking
Correct answer: Issue a citation and flag the vehicle for potential abandonment or towing
A vehicle exceeding posted time limits by a significant margin may be considered abandoned and should be cited and flagged for possible towing per local ordinance.
Question 6: Which of the following vehicles is typically exempt from standard parking regulations when on official duty?
- A food delivery vehicle
- A postal service vehicle making mail deliveries (Correct answer)
- A taxi waiting for a fare
- A private contractor vehicle
Correct answer: A postal service vehicle making mail deliveries
U.S. Postal Service vehicles on official mail delivery duty are federally authorized and typically exempt from certain local parking restrictions.
Question 7: A driver returns to their vehicle as a TEA is finishing writing a citation. The driver offers to move immediately. What should the TEA do?
- Cancel the citation since the driver has agreed to move
- Complete and issue the citation, as the violation already occurred (Correct answer)
- Exercise discretion and issue only a warning
- Require the driver to appear in person at the traffic office
Correct answer: Complete and issue the citation, as the violation already occurred
Once a violation has been observed and documentation has begun, the citation should be completed and issued, as the violation occurred prior to the driver's return.
TEA Traffic Enforcement 4
A vehicle is parked entirely on a public sidewalk, blocking pedestrian access.
Which enforcement action is most appropriate?