parking the smart way - legal?

[fat_rick]

Re: parking the smart way - legal?

Not illegal to park contraflow, but it is a legal requirement to leave your sidelights on.

The highway code disagrees.

239 Use off-street parking areas, or bays marked out with white lines on the road as parking places, wherever possible. If you have to stop on the roadside
* do not park facing against the traffic flow

248 You MUST NOT park on a road at night facing against the direction of the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space.

The first is advisory only, the second reflects law (as indicated by the wording).

None of this speaks specifically about parking nose-in, but I think that - certainly at night - if you'd parked nose-in and somebody ran into the side of you, you could (and should) be found at fault. Those reflectors are there for a reason.

[darkcat]

Re: parking the smart way - legal?

I disagree rick, surely if you hit any stationary object, whatever it is, YOU are at fault, like a tree jumping out at you...!! its not the car's fault you didnt see it.. (this is assuming its not parked in a stupid place..)

[fat_rick]

Re: parking the smart way - legal?

I disagree rick, surely if you hit any stationary object, whatever it is, YOU are at fault, like a tree jumping out at you...!! its not the car's fault you didnt see it..

Trees are rarely found in the road. Parked cars often are. That's why the rules say they have to have reflectors showing (and actual lights on if the speed limit is more than 30).

[TallOrder]

Re: parking the smart way - legal?

When it's me waiting to turn right, I start moving as though I'm going to make the turn. You should see their faces.... Their underwear would be none too pretty either judging by the facials.. Faeces and facials. Serves the b@stards right.

I try to do the same! Except if I'm in our :silvertri, I generally can't get there quick enough and they're long gone

[smartfart]

Re: parking the smart way - legal?

Driving home this evening passing "Kingsholm" Rugby ground in Gloucester, we spotted a Jack Black 4/2 parked nose in to kerb between two other cars. Ive probably been past others parked the same way before, but never noticed.

As has been posted previously, I wonder what the legalities are....Think tomorrow I will have a word with Old Bill and see where we stand. When I get a definitive answer, I will post the result. :van:

Ps....Ive just written to Gloucester City Council asking whether or not we "For Two" owners can park at right angles without fear of getting clobbered. Then we should all know exactly where we stand.

Finally , I had a phone response from Gloucester City Council street parking section.
She explained that parking a 4/2 at right angles to the highway in an allocated street parking space is no problem and will not put the car owner at risk of being knobbled. So long as the whole Smart is within the marked bay. She went on to say too, that the Smart could be parked either front or rear in. Due care and attention must be exercised of course when emerging from that space into a flow of traffic.
However, if there is a parking meter zone then the Smart owner must also buy a pay and display ticket.

Now, imagine this scenario, you park your Smart at right angles between two cars with room to get your doors open. You get out and lock up, go for a walk about, come back and some **** has parked his jalopy, so close to your door you cant get in...Is it really worth putting right angle parking to the test.?

[10:45PM]

Re: parking the smart way - legal?

Now, imagine this scenario, you park your Smart at right angles between two cars with room to get your doors open. You get out and lock up, go for a walk about, come back and some **** has parked his jalopy, so close to your door you cant get in...Is it really worth putting right angle parking to the test.?

I reject your scenario as scare mongering:p,..... it's no worse than someone hemming your car in at both ends if you parked 'normally', perhaps better if you're 90 degree parked cos you could always jump in through the rear door and still escape

Finally , I had a phone response from Gloucester City Council street parking section.

That's one job that could certainly go with the council cutbacks somebody who responds to silly 'what if' parking questions