GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto Senate Bill 722, which allows localities in Planning District 8 to prohibit the parking of any motor vehicle on a curb or with its wheels straddling a curb

The bill would allow localities to issue a fine and instruct police officers to tow vehicles if they are parked on or partially on a curb.  It is unclear that this bill would be effective in combating these nuisances, as the connection between fines and towing for parking on a curb is dubious.

Moreover, issuing a ticket and towing a vehicle because a driver parked on or partially on a curb is a steep penalty for an infraction that has no bearing on traffic safety or the ability of first responders to access public roadways or properties.  The result would be needless fines and towing charges levied on drivers in Northern Virginia without any public safety or transportation benefit.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.