Caravan on the road..

withabix

Silk wrote: »

So how many cars park with their lights on overnight ?
How many skips these days do you see with lights ?

Under Regulation 24 Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations:

Cars, goods vehicles not exceeding 1525kg unladen, invalid carriages and motorcycles may be parked without lights on a road (or lay-by) with a speed limit of 30 mph or less if they are at least 10 metres (32 feet) away from any junction, close to the kerb and facing in the direction of the traffic flow in a recognised parking place or lay-by.

(incidentally, try complying with that on your average housing estate!!)

Other vehicles and trailers, and all vehicles with projecting loads, MUST NOT be left on a road at night without lights.


Skips are required by law to be lit at night if kept on the road. Just because you don't see this, doesn't mean it is not required.

Gordon861

withabix wrote: »

But they probably wouldn't be positioned or operate in accordance with the Regulations which govern lights on vehicles.

IIRC the flashing lights often used on bicycles are actually illegal on bicycles for instance, but then we know how the various laws are applied to cyclists. Not.

The LED lights are not there to comply with the regs re. lights on vehicles, they would only be there to comply with a trailer having a light on it so people don't crash into it. Also most caravans have road legal reflectors/lights on them so you would probably be OK.

The cycle lights normally only flash because the person using them has decided to select flashing mode rather than solid.

At the end of the day though if the ACPO say you can park on the road, as long as you don't cause and obstruction, I would take their word for it.

Silk

withabix wrote: »

But they probably wouldn't be positioned or operate in accordance with the Regulations which govern lights on vehicles.

IIRC the flashing lights often used on bicycles are actually illegal on bicycles for instance, but then we know how the various laws are applied to cyclists. Not.

The Caravan is not a vehicle and is only classed as one when being towed, and even if it was most caravans lights are compliant and providing the caravan has the reflectors showing and is parked the correct way round ie nearside to the pavement there is no problem !

Batchy

the biggest problem would be identity of the vehicle, it not on a drive and its not connected to a vehicle...

therefore its NOT insured... this is the biggest problem like with Mini moto's etc

They cannot be on a public highway uninsured, what if the brakes fail and it slides down a hill into a field full of children... unlikely yes... but could happen, like a child running around it playing and tripping over the towing arm and injuring themself.

I personally think this is the case, but cannot point you to the correct point of law for it!

Gordon861

Oh hell ... someone always brings up the 'Think of the Children' argument. If little Timmy is running around it and falls over the towing arm he shouldn't be in the road playing in the first place (and probably won't do it again), esp running on/off the pavement.

It doesn't need insurance, it isn't a motor vehicle.

Ownership isn't really a problem as they normally have the owners number plate stuck on the back of them.

The Association of Chief Police Officers say you can park it on the road, but also say some Councils can take action on nuisance value. But parking them on the road is NOT illegal.

The nuisance bit may be of interest to the OP as it seems to be getting in the way of some people easily using their drives, but a quiet would would probably achieve the best result.

Silk

Phewww,
It got some getting there but we did in the end
:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Batchy

Gordon861 wrote: »

Oh hell ... someone always brings up the 'Think of the Children' argument. If little Timmy is running around it and falls over the towing arm he shouldn't be in the road playing in the first place (and probably won't do it again), esp running on/off the pavement.

It doesn't need insurance, it isn't a motor vehicle.

Ownership isn't really a problem as they normally have the owners number plate stuck on the back of them.

The Association of Chief Police Officers say you can park it on the road, but also say some Councils can take action on nuisance value. But parking them on the road is NOT illegal.

The nuisance bit may be of interest to the OP as it seems to be getting in the way of some people easily using their drives, but a quiet would would probably achieve the best result.

Ok so it doesnt need to be insured?

SO if someone drives off their drive and accidentally drives into it causing significant damage and it needs to be craned away, etc (as it can't be towed anymore due to axel damage etc... it would be a barrel of laughs with no legal cover fighting a legal case against neighbours insurance company? Legally may not need to be insured, but im sure it would be advisable to be insured!

I don't understand then, if you can park caravans anywhere, why do travellers just not park down the road of some rich nice street with a house every 100 yards?

There is a law im sure...

Gordon861

I believe you will find it IS illegal to sleep in(or live out of) a caravan overnight on a public highway so that would be covered under that law.

If you caravan was hit whilst parked on the road you would probably find your car insurance company would help you(if you have caravan towing listed on your policy). Or you household policy may have an 'away from the home' feature to cover legal expenses.

The neighbour would be legally obliged to pass on the claim to their insurance company so it is unlikely you would need a solicitor to fight the case for you, and even if you did there is a good chance you could get a 'no win no fee' solicitor to help out.

Finally most people that I know that use a caravan also have some pretty good breakdown cover which also normally includes legal help.

Silk

Batchy wrote: »

I don't understand then, if you can park caravans anywhere, why do travellers just not park down the road of some rich nice street with a house every 100 yards?

There is a law im sure...

Because as I said earlier it's illegal to occupy them ie sleep overnight in them etc
The FACTS are it is not illegal to park a caravan on the road providing it doesn't cause an obstruction end of story.
We could go on for ever and a day with "what if" situations but that will not detract from the fact its legal to park it !

Lorian

withabix wrote: »

IIRC the flashing lights often used on bicycles are actually illegal on bicycles for instance, but then we know how the various laws are applied to cyclists. Not.

Flashing rear red (LED) lights on bicycles have been permitted since October 2005. Front ones too.

There are some conditions regarding frequency of flash and brightness.

Doesn't help with the caravan in the road.