Highway Code warning as drivers told not to park in common areas or risk being fined £100
A HIGHWAY Code rule could leave drivers slapped with a £100 fine if they park in common areas.
Motorists have been warned to never stop or park near a school entrance, bus stop, taxi rank or in front of an entrance to a property.
Rules 238 to 252 all concern waiting and parking, including rules on parking at night and decriminalised parking enforcement.
Rule 243 of the Highway Code states that people should not stop 'in front of an entrance to a property'.
However, this only relates to whether the car is also blocking the road.
The emphasis on do not rather than ‘you must not’, means that the rules are not legally binding as, in most places, pavement parking bans are enforced by the local council.
The choice of wording in the guidance is deliberate as it identifies which is against the law and which is simply advised against.
However, experts have also spotted a legal loophole meaning that any car that parks on private property are exempt from council intervention.
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It can be removed if the police suspect it to have been abandoned, but if the car has a valid MOT, is taxed and insured and is not in a dangerous condition then there is little the police or council can do.
Meanwhile Rule 141 of the Highway Code states: “Bus lanes are shown by road markings and signs that indicate which (if any) other vehicles are permitted to use the bus lane.
“Unless otherwise indicated, you should not drive in a bus lane during its period of operation.
“You may enter a bus lane to stop, to load or unload where this is not prohibited.”
Parking is not allowed in a bus lane even when a Blue (Disabled) Badge is displayed.
If you do use a bus lane incorrectly, you can be issued with a penalty charge notice (PCN), which can often be up to £100.
If you are on the other end of the stick, and have someone else blocking your drive, Residents can take several safe steps to move their car.
Firstly, they should check if the space outside their house is designated parking – otherwise residents have just as much right to park there as you.
However, if it’s a designated space for a specific property then you may be able to find a peaceful solution by trying to contact the owner or politely leaving a note on the windscreen.
Failing that, the Met Police advise that you contact your local council.
They said: "If someone has blocked your driveway so you can’t drive in, we appreciate this can be very frustrating.
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"If you can find the owner of the vehicle, we’d first recommend asking them politely to move it. If you can’t find them, try leaving a note on their windscreen.
“After all, they may not realise they have caused a problem."