Parking or Standing?

[MadinMaine]

What is the name of your state? Maine.

There is a sign on the school grounds where I go to pick up my child daily; it says 'no parking' . The reason for the no parking is to allow the buses to leave the school grounds without obstruction. The place where this sign is faces the front door of the school so many parents like to stand (in their cars) along this curb waiting for their children. The 'road' that this curb is on is perpendicular to where the buses park and does not interfere with the children loading into the buses. In every case I've ever seen the parent are all GONE before the buses leave.

The grounds keeper is very nasty and constantly harasses the parents about 'standing' at this curb. So my question is: What is the definition of parking and what is the definition of standing? If you are in your car with the engine running for under 5 minutes while waiting for someone to come out of a building are you parked?

Thanks,
MadinMaine What is the name of your state? Maine

[Blue Meanie]

Yes**************

[Zigner]

Originally Posted by MadinMaine

What is the name of your state? Maine.

There is a sign on the school grounds where I go to pick up my child daily; it says 'no parking' . The reason for the no parking is to allow the buses to leave the school grounds without obstruction. The place where this sign is faces the front door of the school so many parents like to stand (in their cars) along this curb waiting for their children. The 'road' that this curb is on is perpendicular to where the buses park and does not interfere with the children loading into the buses. In every case I've ever seen the parent are all GONE before the buses leave.

The grounds keeper is very nasty and constantly harasses the parents about 'standing' at this curb. So my question is: What is the definition of parking and what is the definition of standing? If you are in your car with the engine running for under 5 minutes while waiting for someone to come out of a building are you parked?

Thanks,
MadinMaine What is the name of your state? Maine

"Standing" is a form of parking. I would suggest that jr. can walk to the car.

[MadinMaine]

I spent about 1 hour researching this on google etc... without finding a suitable answer when I came across this site. I'm not looking for sarcasm or for anyone to approve of my reason for what I'm doing; I'm looking for a definition of the terms. In my experience I've seen signs that say either:

NO STOPPING
NO STANDING
or
NO PARKING

If there is no difference then all the signs would just say NO PARKING. I'm seeking a clarification on the difference.

In addition, it's not a matter of JR. walking to the car. The issue is that this is a large parking lot shared with the middle school and high school. 1] many HS students are driving and personally I don't want my 11 year old walking where they are driving and 2] Have you been to Maine in the winter? The other day it was -32. Getting a yard or 2 closer to the door is a good idea. Being in a direct line of sight to your child is a good idea too considering the state of the world. There are only a handful of parents who drive their children and none of them causes a problem for the buses.. the bus drivers have all told us it's ok to 'stand' or 'park' where we are.... not knowing the definition I can't say which.

MIM

[VeronicaLodge]

what do you mean you did not get a suitable answer here, you had two knowledgeable people tell you without hesitation that you can not do what you are doing.

is it because you don't like the answer that its not suitable?

why don't you just type out what you want to hear and we will type it back to you.

[MadinMaine]

I said I didn't get a suitable answer on the google search when I found this site. What I didn't get here was a definition of the difference which is what I am asking for.

MIM

[Zigner]

Originally Posted by MadinMaine

The issue is that this is a large parking lot shared with the middle school and high school. 1] many HS students are driving and personally I don't want my 11 year old walking where they are driving and 2] Have you been to Maine in the winter? The other day it was -32. Getting a yard or 2 closer to the door is a good idea. Being in a direct line of sight to your child is a good idea too considering the state of the world. There are only a handful of parents who drive their children and none of them causes a problem for the buses.. the bus drivers have all told us it's ok to 'stand' or 'park' where we are.... not knowing the definition I can't say which.

MIM

Ok, then how's this:
YOU walk from the car to escort jr. Or, have jr. take the bus.
OR, you could speak with the school administration about ways to accommodate the parents who drive their kiddos to school...

In any case, getting in to a pissing match over the definition of "parking" will not help you.

EDIT:
As Maine is a bit lacking in their definition, I've resorted to finding a definition from a different state to help clarify for you...(Florida)

Title XXII: Motor Vehicles
Chapter 316: State Uniform Traffic Control
Section 316.003: Definitions

(27) PARK OR PARKING.--The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading merchandise or passengers as may be permitted by law under this chapter.

This is NOT meant to say that the Maine definition is the same, rather, it's to give an example of the definition...
In this case, sitting with your engine running for 5 minutes does NOT meet the definition of "standing".

[MadinMaine]

And here I thought I might actually find an answer on this site. All I was looking for was a clarification of the difference between STANDING and PARKING. I know there is a difference or their wouldn't be 2 different street signs created. There IS some legal difference and I just wanted to know what it was. Obviously you people are just here to have a good time at the expense of others.

No need to reply as I won't be coming back. This site is just a big waste of pixels.

[Zigner]

Originally Posted by MadinMaine

And here I thought I might actually find an answer on this site. All I was looking for was a clarification of the difference between STANDING and PARKING. I know there is a difference or their wouldn't be 2 different street signs created. There IS some legal difference and I just wanted to know what it was. Obviously you people are just here to have a good time at the expense of others.

No need to reply as I won't be coming back. This site is just a big waste of pixels.

Wow - I'm sorry that the State of Maine hasn't felt it necessary to provide an exact definition - talk to your legislatures. In any case, it is not the fault of the volunteers here.

[mommyof4]

Sigh....

"Standing" is to temporarily park your car while passengers and/or goods are IMMEDIATELY loading or unloading.

"Parking" is to stop your car (whether it is idling and occupied or not) and remain in one spot...yes, even for 5 minutes while you wait on Junior to come to the car. If Junior isn't at the curb, circle around until you see him. Then you can drive up, stop, unlock the doors, let him get in, and go home (or wherever it is you go from there).

Interestingly, I found quit a bit about standing and parking ordinances in Maine. It just so happens that the list I got was for each individual town as opposed to a state source.

[Zigner]

Originally Posted by mommyof4

Interestingly, I found quit a bit about standing and parking ordinances in Maine. It just so happens that the list I got was for each individual town as opposed to a state source.

That explains it...the State has decided to let the various municipalities do their own enforcement. My apologies...to the State of Maine!

[JakeB]

Originally Posted by MadinMaine

And here I thought I might actually find an answer on this site. All I was looking for was a clarification of the difference between STANDING and PARKING. I know there is a difference or their wouldn't be 2 different street signs created. There IS some legal difference and I just wanted to know what it was. Obviously you people are just here to have a good time at the expense of others.

No need to reply as I won't be coming back. This site is just a big waste of pixels.

You have to understand that most of the members here are no more informed about the law than you. That's why instead of getting a legal answer to your question, most of the time your question will be brushed aside, and instead you'll only get a stranger's opinion about your conduct. But the site doesn't pretend to be a substitute for hiring a lawyer. The bottom line is you get what you pay for.

[Blue Meanie]

Originally Posted by JakeB

You have to understand that most of the members here are no more informed about the law than you. That's why instead of getting a legal answer to your question, most of the time your question will be brushed aside, and instead you'll only get a stranger's opinion about your conduct. But the site doesn't pretend to be a substitute for hiring a lawyer. The bottom line is you get what you pay for.

Bull! I have FORGOTTEN more about the law then you or the twit of a OP will ever know.

[JakeB]

Originally Posted by baystategirl

Bull! I have FORGOTTEN more about the law then you or the twit of a OP will ever know.

You may be the brightest legal mind in the nation for all I know. I wrote most for a reason.

So where did you go to law school? Where are you licensed? In what areas do you practice?

If you have no answers to the above, then my statement probably fits you as well. After reading enough threads, I can tell there are a few extremely knowledgeable members (maybe you're one of them). The rest just seem to get their kicks from trolling and making others feel foolish.

[fairisfair]

Originally Posted by VeronicaLodge

what do you mean you did not get a suitable answer here, you had two knowledgeable people tell you without hesitation that you can not do what you are doing.

is it because you don't like the answer that its not suitable?

why don't you just type out what you want to hear and we will type it back to you.

dammit veronica, she already told you she looked for something saying she was right for over an hour on google and couldn't find it, now she came here and didn't find it either. That is enough to just make any stander/parker a little pissy.