Media Advisory
MARCH 30, 2009 #09-016
10:00 A.M. DONALDSON

Alexandria Police Start Motorcoach Enforcement Campaign

The Alexandria Police Department will begin an active enforcement campaign, which specifically focuses on the idling, double-parking and unlawful loading/unloading practices of motorcoaches throughout Alexandria.

The Alexandria Police Department will focus on three particular violations:
 Idling longer than 15 minutes is prohibited by Virginia Code §46.2-1224.1 subject to a $50 fine. Additionally, City Code 9-12-164 stipulates that buses parked in designated spots must turn off their motors when parked.
 Double parking; stopping so as to obstruct traffic and stopping to load or unload passengers in the traveled portion of any street are prohibited according to City Code 10-4-4, 10-4-5 and 10-4-15. The penalty is a $200 fine.
 Tour and sight-seeing buses may not use locations other than designated parking spaces according to City Code 9-12-162. The penalty is a $100 fine.

Alexandria will remain a welcoming destination for visitors and tourism. However, the City is proactively working to manage motorcoaches and balance their operational needs with measures to limit intrusive effects on our neighborhoods, environment, and quality of life in Alexandria.

For more information about the City’s motorcoach management efforts visit www.alexandriava.gov/motorcoach. Additionally, residents and business owners are encouraged to sign up for the motorcoach eNews to receive regular updates about the City’s motorcoach management efforts, police reports, and information about future meetings.

For further information, contact the Media Services Unit at 703.838.4636.

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