Spurred by ongoing congestion and traffic hazards caused by motorists parking along county roads, the Flathead County commissioners have created no-parking zones along stretches of seven local roads.

The commissioners passed the resolution June 28, effective immediately.

Several of the roads are near lakes where motorists tend to park with boat trailers; others are in congested commercial areas where breweries operate.

No-parking zones have been posted on the following roads:

- Bitterroot Lane/outflow — From the intersection at Bitterroot Drive 1,150 feet west on both sides of the road.

- Blacktail Road in Lakeside near Tamarack Brewing Co. — 290 feet on the east side of the road.

- Causeway Lane-Echo Lake — 1,200 feet across the causeway on both sides of the road.

- Yoeman Hall Road — From the driveway at 733 Yoeman Hall Road east 2,100 feet on the north side of the road (except at the designated parking area).

- Holt Drive, Bigfork — Between the Bigfork Post Office and intersection of Montana 35 (near Flathead Lake Brewing Co.) on the north side of the road.

- Breezy Point, Somers — From top of hill on Breezy Point south 320 feet on both sides of the road.

- LaBrant Road — From Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks launching area 400 feet north and 400 feet south of the intersection on both sides of road.

Violators will be subject to citations and fines established under state law. A parking violation would be considered a misdemeanor, with a first conviction to be punished by a fine of not less than $10 or more than $100. For a second conviction within one year after the first conviction, the person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $25 or more than $200. Upon a third or subsequent conviction within one year after the first conviction, the person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $50 or more than $500.

Features Editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or [email protected].