Sign change leads to fewer tickets for violating no-stopping restrictions on street near Ottawa Hospital General Campus

A sign change on a busy street near the Ottawa Hospital General Campus has resulted in a significant drop in tickets issued to drivers violating the winter no-stopping zone, according to Ottawa Bylaw Services.

A "no-stopping zone" is in effect on a section of the eastern side of Lynda Lane, near Smyth Road, between Dec. 1 and March 31.

Every winter, concerns have been raised about the seasonal parking rules and confusion with the signs, with people saying they do not understand the parking signs that list rules for April 1 to Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 to March 31 on the same post.

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After a CTV News Ottawa story about 111 tickets issued to vehicles violating the seasonal "no-stopping zone" rules during the first eight days of December, the city made changes to parking signs along Lynda Lane.

On Dec. 10, staff flipped the sign outlining parking restrictions for April 1 to  Nov. 30, and the signpost just showed the stop sign with a red prohibited symbol for no stopping between Dec. 1 and March 31.

Bylaw Services Director Roger Chapman tells CTV News Ottawa that, "since the change in signage on the road, only four tickets have been issued for parking in the seasonal no-stopping zone."

Bylaw officers have issued a total of 163 parking tickets on Lynda Lane between Dec. 1 and Jan. 7, with 146 tickets for parking in a no-stopping zone, 15 tickets for overtime parking and two for obstructing traffic.

“We appreciate residents’ cooperation on special parking restrictions throughout the winter season as it helps ensure our streets are clear and safe," Chapman said.

"Special parking restrictions prohibiting parking on a stretch of Lynda Lane are in effect between December 1 and March 31 to facilitate snow removal and for safety reasons. These seasonal restrictions have been in place since 2018 and ensures access is maintained for emergency vehicles. Motorists are reminded to carefully read all posted parking restrictions from the top down when choosing a place to park their vehicle. The top sign will always take precedence."

A photo posted on the Ottawa Bylaw Services social media account during the first week of December showed three signs on one street post along Lynda Lane. There was a green "P" sign saying two hours of parking is allowed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. between April 1 and Nov. 30, and a sign above it with a stop sign covered by a red prohibited symbol for no stopping between Dec. 1 and March 31.