With Thanksgiving gatherings happening across the Midlands on Thursday, many families will have cars lined up along neighborhood streets.

But crowded curbs can quickly lead to blocked driveways, safety issues and even fines for drivers who don’t follow South Carolina’s parking laws.

Holiday traffic doesn’t just build on major highways it spills into neighborhoods too. Columbia resident Thomas Kinlaw said he has seen careless parking during past holidays and worries about the risk it creates. “It’s very dangerous… you know you got emergency people… if they get sick they gotta get to them,” Kinlaw said.

State law sets clear distance requirements drivers must follow: 15 feet from fire hydrants, 20 feet from crosswalks and 30 feet from stop signs. Drivers also may not block driveways, bike

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