A MOTORIST found a flawless way to stop neighbours parking in front of their driveway for good.
The Highway Code asks that people do not park their vehicle where it might cause an obstruction to other pedestrians or road users.
AlamyHomeowners debated the best ways to prevent neighbours parking in front of their homes[/caption]
It cites the example of not parking in front of another person’s driveway – but some people are not always so courteous.
Responding to a thread on Quora asking how to stop people leaving their cars in front of their home, the unnamed homeowner gave a number of expert suggestions.
They said: “Don’t listen to these people who say nothing can be done.
“Technically, yes, it is street parking open to anyone. But in reality, they are doing it to antagonise you and to exert their dominance.
“The best offence is good defence. Wait until they move their vehicle and start parking your own car or a spare car in that spot at all times.
“Another way is to put something in the way like leaving your trashcans out for a few days, just enough to make it a pain to try and park there.
“Here’s another trick that people use: have an ‘official’ looking sign printed up that says something like – this space reserved for postal deliveries.
“If all else fails, start parking right in front of their house. I guarantee you they will get p***ed off about it, but it’s perfectly legal, right?”
Another commenter said she was “going to have to resort to doing the same”, adding she planned to buy two old cars to occupy the spaces in front of her home”.
A third suggested putting “planters or stakes” in the ground that can be moved at your own convenience – noting some of her neighbours have done it and it seems to work.
Another said a disabled couple they know went to the city and got Resident Parking Only and Handicap Parking signs to put in the parking spaces outside their home.
And another suggested: “Make sure you buy the biggest, trashiest, most rusted s*** box eyesore you can find and leave it outside their house. Two can play at this game.”
However, some said too much was being made of the issue.
One commenter wrote: “It’s a public street and no one is entitled to a specific ‘spot’.
“I’m sure they’re not parking in front of your house simply to p*** you off. Seriously, this is so petty. Don’t sweat the small stuff.”
Another added: “If he is parked on the public highway and his car is taxed and insured he is entitled to park anywhere in that road even outside your house if he is unable to park outside his own, just as you are.
“If you have a driveway outside your property and it make it awkward for you to get in or out of it when he parks there then there are different rules that apply as to whether he is stopping you getting into your drive or out of it and you would need to look into that more and see what the law says.”
Everything you need to know about parking
Can I get two parking tickets in one day?
Do I have to pay a private parking ticket?
Can I be fined if your parking ticket falls off your dashboard?
Is double parking illegal?
How do I appeal a parking ticket?
Can you park on double yellow lines on a Sunday?
How can I report illegal parking?
Can I reserve the parking space outside of my house?
How close can I park to a dropped kerb?
Is parking free on bank holidays?
Can I park on a single yellow line?
Can I be fined for parking across two spaces?
Can I use somebody else’s parking ticket in a car park?
Who is allowed to park on my driveway?
Where can I park with a blue badge?
Can I be fined if the ticket machine is not working?
How close can I park to a junction?
Am I allowed to park on grass verges?
How can I stop my neighbour using my parking spot?
The first thing to remember is that nobody has an automatic right to park outside their own home.
With this in mind, you will need to resolve the situation in an amicable manner, so it is important to remain calm.
Always remember, providing they are not breaking the Highway Code, all road users are technically entitled to park outside your house in most instances.
Having a friendly word with the neighbour in question is the first port of call, you may find that they did not realise that their parking habits bothered you.
What are my parking rights?
The main thing to consider when it comes to the law on parking and also recommendations from the Highway Code is that it all comes down to common sense and good manners in the main.
While people look upon it as an “unwritten rule” that the owner of a house should be entitled to park outside, that is sadly all it is.
Even in the case of someone blocking your driveway, it is only a common courtesy not to park directly in front of it, giving the property owner access to their own drive.
The Highway Code, paragraph 207, asks that people DO NOT park their vehicle where it might cause an obstruction to other pedestrians or road users, and cites the example of not parking in front of another person’s driveway.
In essence, while there are certain rules and regulations under the Highway Code relating to parking on public highways, mostly it’s a matter of common decency and courtesy.
If your street issues parking permits, anyone with one will be able to park anywhere along the road.
Drivers may be tempted to save the spot outside their house using a wheelie bin or cones.
However, this can be classed as an obstruction in the road and you may end up being reported to the local council or the police.
How do I report a parking problem?
Firstly, most police websites state the following:
If a parking space is available on a public road, even if it’s directly outside your house, anyone is allowed to park in it. We appreciate this can be frustrating, especially if spaces are hard to come by on your street.
They also deem an illegally parked car to be:
If the vehicle is parked:
on zig zag lines
dangerously
in a way that would prevent emergency vehicles from accessing
If these apply to your situation then you can go to your local police constabulary website and fill in the relevant contact form.
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