Clarification

(Thursday, January 17/2002)--In an effort to help clear up any confusion that may exist among members of the media and the public, in general, about winter parking regulations, please review the following information.

For the second season, the municipal Winter Overnight Parking Ban is not in effect on streets and roads located in the former cities of Halifax, Dartmouth and Bedford and maintained by HRM Public Works and Transportation crews.

However, the provincial Winter Overnight Parking Ban remains in effect from 1 a.m. to 7 a.m., December 17^th to March 31^st, on roads and streets located in the former County of Halifax and maintained by the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Public Works. (Please see attached newspaper ad).

That having been stated, all vehicle owners in Nova Scotia are subject to Section 139 of the Motor Vehicle Act, which states that a vehicle may not be left on a street or road in such a manner that it might interfere with, or obstruct, snow removal or winter maintenance (salting) operations. This provincial bylaw is in effect, 24-hours a day, year round.

In other words, if it is snowing or if icing conditions exist; if winter maintenance operations (e.g. snow clearing, salting) are in effect following a snowfall or as a result of icy conditions---vehicle owners are advised to park their vehicles off-street.

I hope that this information will be helpful to your newsroom and your viewers, listeners or readers.

-30-

John O'Brien
Corporate Communications Officer
(902) 490-6531