Dutch Court Rules Hazard Lights Do Not Exempt Drivers from Parking Fees

A driver in Hoorn, Netherlands, learned the hard way that leaving your hazard lights on does not exempt you from paying for parking. The man parked briefly near the ANWB store with his hazard lights flashing while his daughter picked up a small package. He refused to pay at the parking meter and later challenged the resulting fine in court.

The North Holland court ruled against him. The judge clarified that loading and unloading exceptions apply only to goods that are too large or heavy to transport by any means other than a vehicle. A USB charger clearly does not qualify. The court also noted that "loading" and "unloading" require the actual physical placement of goods into or out of the vehicle, not simply having a passenger retrieve an item. The judge made clear: hazard lights are not a free parking pass, even for a quick pickup. The fine stands.