Title: Outdated Parking Norms Struggle to Accommodate Modern Vehicles in Czech Republic
Subtitle: Growing car sizes pose challenges for parking spaces
Date: [Current Date]
In a scene reminiscent of a movie, the first legal regulation establishing dimensions for parking spaces for vehicles on Czech roads dates back to 1977. At that time, the popular Skoda 100 had a width of 162 centimeters. The regulation was updated ten years later when the Skoda 120 sedan became a hit on Czechoslovakian roads, with a width of just 161 centimeters. However, since then, there has been a long period of silence until 2011 when the SN 73 6056 regulation was finally amended.
Since that memorable moment, parking spaces in the Czech Republic must have a minimum width of 2.5 meters and a minimum length of 5 meters for perpendicular parking. The width of parallel parking spaces is set at a minimum of two meters, with at least three meters of free space for emergency vehicles to pass. So, what is the delay?
In short, the SN 73 6056 regulation became outdated even before its last update. During its approval, it was assumed that the average car had a length of 4.75 meters and a width of 1.75 meters. However, over the past two decades, the average length has increased to 4.8 meters, and the width has grown to 1.84 meters.
Car dimensions have expanded, making vehicles larger. The almost half-century-old regulation, last updated twelve years ago, no longer reflects the reality of the Czech vehicle fleet.
“Auta rostou, potvrzují prodejci” (Cars are growing, confirm dealers)
It is not small city cars but the most popular and commonly used cars that have grown in size in recent years, according to Marek Kniea, the director of TipCars.com. The reason behind this growth is safety. Modern cars have significantly larger crumple zones, thicker doors, and wider pillars, all in an effort to enhance safety.
“If driving in the city is an adrenaline rush, parking is even more exciting,” Kniea comments.
For example, the beloved Skoda Octavia in 2004 had a width of 170 centimeters and a length of 450 centimeters. Today, it measures over 180 centimeters in width and nearly 470 centimeters in length. This leaves little room for maneuvering in parking spaces, says Kniea.
On Czech roads, even larger vehicles can be found. The Tesla Model Y is nearly 470 centimeters long, and with folded mirrors, it exceeds two meters in width. The robust SUV BMW X7 measures 518 centimeters in length and two meters in width. Even the Skoda Superb, with dimensions of 486 x 186 centimeters, is not a small car.
However, the SN 73 6056 regulation, which dates back to 2011, does not consider the need for at least 80 centimeters of space on one side for easy exit, as well as 50 centimeters of space in front and behind the vehicle, according to traffic experts from the Brno University of Technology.
“Norma neplatí všude” (The regulation does not apply everywhere)
It may not matter much if you struggle to park with a large SUV while a smaller car is parked next to you. The 2011 regulation only applies to newly built parking spaces.
“Norma z roku 2011 je totiž závazná jen pro nově budovaná parkoviště,” explained Frantiek Jemelka, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport. Therefore, you may encounter parking spaces that still remember the compact Skoda cars from the 1980s.
Other factors contributing to parking difficulties include inconsiderate drivers who park too close or occupy two spaces. Additionally, parking operators play a role in determining the size of parking spaces. The SN 73 6056 regulation sets the minimum allowed dimensions, but it does not prevent parking operators from creating parking spaces the size of a heliport.
“Švět volá po změně, Česko nespěchá” (The world calls for change, but the Czech Republic is not in a hurry)
The French Norme NF P 91-100 sets a minimum width of 2.30 meters for parking spaces, which they plan to increase to 2.50 meters. In the UK, the minimum width is 2.4 meters, and they are considering expanding it. The United States holds the record with an average parking space width of 2.7 meters due to the larger size of their vehicles.
While small city cars can manage with limited space, modern cars with mirrors included often require at least 2.25 meters of width, leaving minimal space for drivers and passengers to exit. This issue has prompted automotive associations, manufacturers, dealers, developers, and emergency organizations to seek solutions.
However, the Czech Republic has not yet taken any steps towards change, as the current regulation is considered appropriate. Perhaps this is because increasing the size of parking spaces would allow shopping centers to accommodate more vehicles.
In conclusion, outdated parking norms struggle to accommodate the growing size of modern vehicles in the Czech Republic. The SN 73 6056 regulation, last updated in 2011, does not consider the increasing dimensions of cars and the need for sufficient space for drivers and passengers. While other countries are considering changes to their parking regulations, the Czech Republic has not yet taken action.Title: Cars are Growing: Are You Getting in through the Window?
In a scene straight out of a movie, the first legal regulation establishing dimensions for parking spaces for vehicles was introduced in 1977. At that time, the popular Skoda 100 had a width of 162 centimeters. The regulation was updated ten years later when the Skoda 120 sedan became the hit of Czechoslovakian roads, with a width even narrower by one centimeter. And then, silence prevailed until 2011 when the SN 73 6056 regulation was amended.
Since that memorable moment, parking spaces in the Czech Republic must have a minimum width of 2.5 meters and a length of at least 5 meters perpendicular to the curb. The width of the parallel curb is set at a minimum of two meters, while at least three meters of the road must remain clear for emergency vehicles. So, what is the delay?
In short, the SN 73 6056 regulation became outdated even before its last update. During its approval, it was assumed that the average car had a length of 4.75 meters and a width of 1.75 meters. However, over the past two decades, the average length has increased to 4.8 meters, and the width to 1.84 meters.
Car dimensions have expanded, and vehicles have become larger. The century-old regulation, last updated twelve years ago, no longer reflects the reality of the Czech vehicle fleet.
“Auta rostou, potvrzují prodejci” (Cars are growing, confirm dealers), says Marek Kniea, CEO of TipCars.com. It is not small city cars that have grown, but rather the most popular and commonly used cars. The increase in size is driven by safety concerns. Modern cars are equipped with significantly larger crumple zones, thick doors, and wider pillars.
If driving in the city is an adrenaline rush, parking is a whole different challenge. For example, the beloved Skoda Octavia in 2004 had a width of 170 centimeters and a length of 450 centimeters. Today, it weighs over 180 centimeters and measures around 470 centimeters in length. This leaves little room for maneuvering in parking spaces, comments Kniea.
On Czech roads, even larger vehicles can be found. The Tesla Model Y is nearly 470 centimeters long, and with folded mirrors, it exceeds two meters in width. The robust SUV BMW X7 measures 518 centimeters in length and two meters in width. The Skoda Superb, with dimensions of 486 x 186 centimeters, is no small car either.
However, the SN 73 6056 regulation, still in effect since 2011, does not consider that Mazda CX-60 drivers, with a width of 213 centimeters, need at least 80 centimeters of space on one side for easy exit. This 80 centimeters on the sides and 50 centimeters in front and behind the car are considered optimal by traffic experts from the Brno University of Technology.
The regulation does not apply everywhere. It only applies to newly constructed parking lots. Existing parking spaces are not required to comply with the regulation, as explained by Frantiek Jemelka, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport. Therefore, you may encounter parking spaces that still remember the popular Skoda 120
How does the outdated Czech vehicle fleet impact parking spaces that were designed 12 years ago?
Last updated 12 years ago, no longer reflects the reality of the Czech vehicle fleet.
“It’s not just small city cars, but the most popular and commonly used cars that have grown in size in recent years,” says Marek Kniea, director of TipCars.com. The increase in car size is due to a focus on safety, with modern cars having larger crumple zones, thicker doors, and wider pillars.
This growth in size poses challenges for parking spaces. For example, the beloved Skoda Octavia, which was 170 centimeters wide and 450 centimeters long in 2004, now measures over 180 centimeters in width and nearly 470 centimeters in length. This leaves little room for maneuvering in parking spaces.
Even larger vehicles can be found on Czech roads, such as the Tesla Model Y and the robust SUV BMW X7, both exceeding two meters in width.
The SN 73 6056 regulation, which dates back to 2011, does not consider the need for additional space for easy exit from the vehicle, according to traffic experts from the Brno University of Technology. Additionally, the regulation applies only to newly built parking spaces, meaning many older parking spaces still cater to smaller cars.
In other countries, there are minimum width requirements for parking
