When driving around Powell, you’re likely to encounter intersections where a large RV or trailer blocks your view of any oncoming vehicles or pedestrians.

It’s a dangerous scenario that drivers are too familiar with on Powell streets.

Currently, the city requires parking at least 40 feet from intersections, but in recent years the rule was rarely, if ever, enforced.

For years, the Powell City Council has acknowledged the problem of parked RVs and trailers obscuring traffic. Now, city leaders appear to be moving forward with a plan to address it.

If approved, the proposed ordinance would prohibit RVs, campers, large trailers and buses from parking along residential streets for extended periods of time between Labor Day in early September through Memorial Day in late May. However, they would be limited to on-street parking next to their personal property, or with written permission from the property owner.

During summer months, city residents could park those vehicles next to their personal property for as long as they want, but hose and electrical connections would be limited to two hours a day.

City leaders reached out to local RV and trailer owners when drafting the new ordinance.

We understand why Powell residents invest in RVs, campers and trailers. In our corner of northwest Wyoming, we’re blessed with some of the best recreation opportunities in America — Yellowstone National Park, the Big Horn Mountains, the Beartooth Mountains, the North and South forks of the Shoshone River and Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, just to name a few.

We realize it may be difficult for some residents to come up with an alternative parking plan for their RVs and trailers. However, we also hope they consider the public safety problems that large vehicles create when parked on city streets for a long time.

Councilmen got serious in June 2013, when Councilman Eric Paul said he wanted to start a conversation before something tragic happened. He said he had close calls with children darting out from behind large vehicles parked on the street. “I don’t want to run over a child,” Paul said. “It’s come close.”

Pedestrian safety was a major part of city leaders’ discussion as they looked at a parking ordinance for large vehicles.

We agree with the councilmen’s concerns, and we’re glad to see them moving forward. It’s worth noting that other communities in Wyoming already have adopted similar laws.

As Mayor Don Hillman said, it’s time for the city of Powell to address this issue.