Highway code 239 how come it's a "do not" but doesn't qualify for a "must not"? TBH one of the rules that I'd forgotten/didn't know.
Chat Forum
"do not park facing against the traffic flow" so who does?
-
Posted 4 months ago #
-
It's so your reflectors are visible, I believe.
Posted 4 months ago # -
yeah I can think of a few reasons for it, was just wondering how well known and adhered to it was. "not much" and "not much" would be my cynical guess but thought I'd ask.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I don't and it drives me mad when people do.
Not as bad as people that stop/drop off facing traffic (on busy roads) at night with their lights on. Its dazzling.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I'm always doing it (stretch of free parking on the way into Shrewsbury by the river), it's a pain to go all the way around to face the right way (two sets of traffic lights to negotiate), which invariably means you loose the space if you do, which means another messy turn around.
Bit of an arse pulling out into the oncoming traffic sometimes though.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I'm aware of the rule and would attempt to follow it by default, but happily ignore it if it suits me
So pretty much like the rest of the Highway Code then.
Posted 4 months ago # -
There is a 30 mph road with no street light on the way to llandegla,at Coedporth, a few years ago every car got a parking ticket for parking with no light during the hours of darkness.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Don't think it applies to designated spaces.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Hmm! Maybe it's my poor memory but it never used to the case, if parked up facing on coming traffic you had to have your lights off but don't remember it being the case of not at all.
I wonder if I still have my old Highway Code.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Apparently its illegal to use a phone whilst driving but doesn't seem to apply to 1000's of people
Posted 4 months ago # -
was just wondering how well known and adhered to it was.
Well, I knew it, because I've read THC. There shouldn't be any "lesser known rules" if you're getting behind a wheel. </sanctimonious>
Adhered to is another matter. In situations where it's likely to be an issue I'd always park facing the right way, but that's common sense as much as it is a 'rule'. Parked on a wide road in the middle of a long line of traffic (eg, outside my house) I probably wouldn't go out of my way too far to do it as there's little need.
Indeed, there's an argument for not doing it where I live, as teenagers in over-powered cars tend to straight-line a traffic island on the wrong side of the road; it's probably safer to have my arse pointing towards them rather than 'correctly' away.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I got a bit vexed last night when an oncoming driver who was in congested stop/start traffic pulled up right next to me blocking me from getting to the righthandside to park up, I'd assumed they were either blind or just being a nob, not letting me through. Befor I had a rantette about it I thought I'd check THC, turns out the driver may just have thoughtfully been preventing me doing something naughty anyway (but I'd still bet it was one of the former)
There shouldn't be any "lesser known rules" if you're getting behind a wheel
quite
Posted 4 months ago # -
It's so your reflectors are visible, I believe.
And so you can see round the van parked in front when you're pulling out again.
That said I park the wrong way all the time, the parking on my road is downhill side only and I need to go up the hill in the morning...
Posted 4 months ago # -
LGTFU...
Posted 4 months ago # -
It's difficult to pull away safely again if you're parked facing traffic.
Posted 4 months ago # -
What a funny lirttle country this is.
Posted 4 months ago # -
And there is also a rule against parking on pavements but that never seems to bother people. Sometimes they do get their cars scratched by people trying to fit their double buggies by though*
*This was an accident but thoroughly deserved - on trying to squeeze by, the front of the buggy caught on a low branch adjacent to the offending car and as I pushed at it and it gave way, it kinda 'sprung' the buggy into the side of the car.
Ahh well.
Posted 4 months ago # -
It's difficult to pull away safely again if you're parked facing traffic.
If that were the main reason, it'd only apply to RHD vehicles.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I believe in the States it's actually illegal to park against the flow (certainly some states not sure about all).
Posted 4 months ago # -
Actually come to think about it. Technically I break this rule and park against the flow off traffic every day when I park outside the house. I live in a cul-de-sac (or "pretentious dead end"), so I usually turn the car at the bottom before parking so I can set off in the right direction.
And there is also a rule against parking on pavements but that never seems to bother people.
Ahem...
Posted 4 months ago # -
Parking on the pavement appears to be legal these days too. I love seeing people trash their expensive alloys, bending rims, and jepordising the sidewall in their tyres.
These people usually dump ashtrays and cigarettes and other crap out the window. The wide demographic of selfish, don't give a hoot, someone will pick it up behaviour is astonishing. I assume the gel wrapper, inner tube, banana dumping cyclists are part of the same club.
Posted 4 months ago # -
If that were the main reason, it'd only apply to RHD vehicles.
The Highway Code would be pretty bloody complex (more so) if we started writing separate rules for LHD cars - as the standard and the vast majority are RHD it makes sense to write based on that.
I was always told that was why it was the case, and it makes sense to me - avoids crossing oncoming traffic when you park as well - pedestrian looks to their right, no cars, steps out, gets nailed by car coming from the left hooning towards a space.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I don't and it drives me mad when people do.
Snap.That and stopping temporarily at the side of the road with your headlights on still. Inconsiderate arses.
GrahamS - love the spelling error on that last line.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I assume
Assume away...
I would be quite happy parking anywhere I want. Now think about this bit, it's not a problem until someone makes it a problem. This is the important bit.... Tell me about it and I will move my car, until someone tells me- THERE IS NO PROBLEM SO BUTT OUT!! It's quite amusing how a different culture can view the same problem. I do suggest that people who get wound up about things like this very seriously do not travel abroad, it'll be the death of you. Simples.Posted 4 months ago # -
graham i hope you dropped that note on the floor at the side of your car...that will teach em
I always do but living on a one way street helps reinforce that rule..You do occasionally see cars parked the worn way thoughPosted 4 months ago # -
The Highway Code would be pretty bloody complex (more so) if we started writing separate rules for LHD cars - as the standard and the vast majority are RHD it makes sense to write based on that.
Well, yes, but if you're going to write a rule specifically because a vehicle is RHD, it'd be sensible to word it more appropriately to include both vehicles.
But they don't, because that's not what it's about. It says "do not park facing against the traffic flow" - you could park on the right on a one-way street, obey the rule and be obstructing your vision. You're advised to park facing traffic so that your reflectors can be seen and so that you're pulling out into traffic rather than against / across it when you're setting off.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I would be quite happy parking anywhere I want. Now think about this bit, it's not a problem until someone makes it a problem.
It IS a problem, you just haven't realised why yet. Rules, generally, exist to prevent things happening that have been known to be a problem in the past. Such as muppets parking wrong way round on fast country roads posing a danger to oncoming traffic, or people parking on pavements and blocking wheelchair passage, or being an issue for the blind. Stuff that people who feel they should be able to park anywhere they want generally haven't considered or think inconveniencing others is OK so they don't have to be.
I do suggest that people who get wound up about things like this very seriously do not travel abroad, it'll be the death of you.
When you go to some more fun, less strict countries you go knowing people are going to be more dangerous and "inconsiderate" in that sense, and so expect it. Where the rules exist they should be followed, or there's an unknown ground which causes danger. FWIW Most other countries I've visited were stricter than we are.
Posted 4 months ago # -
It IS a problem, you just haven't realised why yet.
you didn't get to the cultural bit before answering, did you?Posted 4 months ago # -
you didn't get to the cultural bit before answering, did you?
Yes. It has nowt to do with culture.
Posted 4 months ago # -
It IS a problem, you just haven't realised why yet. Rules, generally, exist to prevent things happening that have been known to be a problem in the past.
And if you're contravening THC, accidentally or intentionally, then that's your "being made aware of" right there. It shouldn't need some Neighbourhood Watch biddy going "excuse me son, would you mind not parking on the footpath, Mrs Smith at #42 can't get her wheelchair past?" It's illegal in London and you "should not" do it in the rest of the country.
What other countries do is irrelevant.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Yes. It has nowt to do with culture.
Of course you're right and all the double or triple parking I have done was not acceptable to anyone, because why?Posted 4 months ago # -
Because them's the rules.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Because them's the rules.
As I said, it's a funny lirttle country.Posted 4 months ago # -
if we had no rules where would we be?
France!
And if we had too many rules where would we be?
Germany!
</Al Murray>
Posted 4 months ago # -
Of course you're right and all the double or triple parking I have done was not acceptable to anyone, because why?
Depends on the situation, but generally because it causes dangers like blocking roads from emergency vehicles, and inconveniences other people.Being an arse but not being called up about it doesn't make you not an arse, it just means everyone else thinks it behind your back.
Posted 4 months ago #
Reply »
You must log in to post.
