A Sacramento woman says she was fined more than $450 in just two weeks — simply for parking near her own driveway — thanks to a combination of a new California law and an AI-powered ticketing system.
Angela Calderaro, who lives in the Land Park neighborhood, says she was repeatedly cited for violating the state’s new “daylighting” law and bus stop restrictions, even when she stopped briefly to unload groceries.
“I can’t even park in front of my own house to bring in the groceries and my kids,” she told KCRA. “The system just doesn’t make sense.”
What is “Daylighting”?
California’s “daylighting” law prohibits vehicles from parking within 20 feet of an intersection to improve driver and pedestrian visibility. In Calderaro’s case, that overlaps with other no-parking zones: 60 feet before and 30 feet after a bus stop near her home.
“Between the 20, 60, and 30 feet, there’s basically nowhere left to park,” she explained.
To make matters worse, Calderaro’s street is monitored by AI-powered cameras mounted on Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) buses, which automatically detect violations and issue tickets.
AI System Sparks Outrage
Calderaro says the system doesn’t take real-life situations into account.
“The AI doesn’t understand context,” she said. “There’s no room for human judgment — no grace if I’m unloading groceries or managing my disabled child.”
The city says each ticket is reviewed by a human enforcement officer, but Calderaro is skeptical. She says the lack of signage also adds to the confusion.
“One side of the bus stop says ‘No Parking Anytime,’ but my side doesn’t say anything,” she said.
KCRA reviewed SacRT’s design guidelines and confirmed inconsistent signage. Rules require bus zones to be clearly marked with “No Parking” or “No Stopping Except Buses” signs — something the city says it will now investigate.
Trying to Fight Back
Calderaro has contested the tickets, but she says she hasn’t received a clear timeline for a resolution.
“I’ve called the city, SacRT, my councilmember — no one has real answers. Just delays.”
With a narrow driveway that barely fits both family vehicles, Calderaro says sometimes street parking is her only option, especially when rushing in with groceries or her kids.
“It’s a stressful situation every day. And now I have to worry about getting ticketed for trying to live my life.”
What’s Next?
City officials said they are reviewing the location near Calderaro’s home and may improve signage or paint curbs to help drivers better understand parking limits. They are also exploring whether additional safe street parking can be added nearby.
As of now, Calderaro — and others in her neighborhood — remain stuck in a confusing battle between tech enforcement and unclear city rules.
“The tickets just keep coming,” she said. “There’s got to be a better way.”
