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Police recommend education then striping to prevent parking in cul‑de‑sacs after safety tests
Summary
Following drone and fire‑truck simulations showing emergency vehicles cannot safely traverse center areas of some cul‑de‑sacs, Montgomery Township police proposed notifying affected residents and, if violations persist, painting and striping center areas with no‑parking markings.
Montgomery Township police presented a Highway Safety Unit study at the May 26 Board of Supervisors meeting recommending additional no‑parking restrictions in the center areas of certain cul‑de‑sacs after simulated tests showed fire apparatus could not safely traverse parked vehicles.
Chief William Peoples described drone imagery and cone simulations used in August 2023 to test fire‑truck access on Damson Lane and Deer Path Lane. "Fire apparatus was unable to safely traverse the cul de sac," Peoples said, prompting the recommendation to paint and stripe the center portions with no‑parking markings. He noted the practice of parking in center areas violates Pennsylvania Vehicle Code Title 75 § 3354(a).
The public safety committee recommended a two‑step approach: first send written notifications and educational materials to affected households and the broader public via social media, then if violations continue proceed with painting and striping. Board members endorsed the outreach plan, stressing clear resident communication to avoid surprises and pointing to safety risks for emergency response as the rationale for the measure.
No ordinance or immediate enforcement change was adopted at the meeting; staff said letters and public announcements will be prepared and the public safety committee will reconvene if striping is proposed.
