Right of way past parked cars?

forgotmyname

It pays to be pig headed sometimes.

I was on a country lane wide enough for 2 large vehicles to pass. But just after a sharp bend they had roadworks and down to a single lane.

Bin lorry approached as my lights turned green. As he pulled upto the lights he moved to the right and blocked my path.
I gestured that he need to move over to let me pass but he said no back up.

He strugged his arms and gestured again. I poured out a cup of tea, Turned the engine off and put my feet on the dash and started reading the paper.

There was no way i was reversing upto a sharp and fairly blind bend.

Eventually his lackey got out and approached me. Told him there was not way i was going to reverse. We can sit here all day if you like.

Eventually they shunted over.

Ratboy

I'd say the clear lane has right of way; however, if the street is on a hill it is considered to give way to vehicles going uphill.

But I've found that most drivers over the last 10 years don't give a damn about anyone but themselves, do what they like, and if you complain, get a load of abuse for pointing out their driving error.

I live on a main road and drivers regularily u-turn, beep for no reason, beep to pick people up, beep to say goodbye, park on the pavement, park facing oncoming traffic, speed, have illegal exhausts, play loud music.....

motorguy

arcon5 wrote: »

Hmmm... really? I suspect this would end up 50:50 or something.

No.

Happened to my brother. He was halfway past 4 cars and someone coming the other way going to fast met him head on.

Was still his fault. He had to pay for her car to be fixed.

Tilt

motorguy wrote: »

No.

Happened to my brother. He was halfway past 4 cars and someone coming the other way going to fast met him head on.

Was still his fault. He had to pay for her car to be fixed.

I'm finding this difficult to believe.

If he was already passing the stationary vehicles before a car coming from the other direction had started to come through (and presumably seen your brother's car), how on earth can your brother be at fault? Unless of course he didn't stop prior to meeting/colliding with the other car, I cannot see how he could be at fault.

Also, I find it strange that two drivers on a potential collision course, would not stop before the actual collision.

More to this than meets the eye IMHO.

SteveJW

Tilt wrote: »

I'm finding this difficult to believe.

Also, I find it strange that two drivers on a potential collision course, would not stop before the actual collision.

More to this than meets the eye IMHO.

Had this on a single track road a few years ago, insurers asked me why I thought the other driver was to blame
Quote
"I saw the car coming the other way, appreciated the hazard and brought my car to a controlled stop. Evidently your client did not appreciate the hazard and failed to bring his vehicle to a controlled stop." They paid out.

In my opinion despite who has the right of way, if you perceive a hazard you should take the appropriate action, including coming to a stop if necessary

Spankey

If there is no specific sign saying right of way on the unparked side then i doubt in law they would have right of way.
if the bays are legitimately marked by the local authority i cant see any lawful reason (common sense excluded) as to why any side has priority over the other.

smashingyour...

Spankey wrote: »

If there is no specific sign saying right of way on the unparked side then i doubt in law they would have right of way.
if the bays are legitimately marked by the local authority i cant see any lawful reason (common sense excluded) as to why any side has priority over the other.

Because one side of the road has an obstruction on it?

alastairq

The clue is, if using the other half of the road, 'give way' to oncoming traffic.

This applies if you have not already entered the area of restricted width......and if you see a vehicle approaching the other end [or, further along than a reasonable place to pull into].

However, if you deem any oncoming vehicle , that is in view, will not be seriously affected by your presence travelling on the opposite side of the road, then continue. They have no 'rights' over the carriageway, and are required to exercise due care & attention...since you will already have established your position.

If, on the other hand, you are in doubt about the other vehicle's presence, then 'give way' before entering the narrower part of the road.

If you proceed, and another vehicle subsequently enters the narrow part from the other direction, and you deem there is insufficient room to pass comfortably, slow down, pull as far to the left as you can, and prepare to stop.
You are now a stationary vehicle, it is up to the other driver to deal with you now.

Doesn't matter if you're driving a car or a bus or a lorry.

The problem lies with those that follow blindly...or attempt to exercise bullying tactics on an oncoming vehicle...usually by using the presence of those already in front, to extend the wait of a 'giving-way' vehicle.

Do not be tempted to mount any footpath or pavement. {Contrary to Highways Act 19-something-or-other].

If confronted by ignorance or arrogance, stop, and relax.

Because I am a naughty driver, sometimes I do things to deliberately annoy, or 'make a point'.

If, for example, I find an oncoming driver deliberately tries to 'bully' their way through in front of me, I do indeed stop.....but I'm rather good at positioning my vehicles, so I leave them a very tight slalom to negotiate, to get past me....especially useful if that oncoming driver is using 'speed' to enforce their bullying tactics.

They have a choice...either hit my front end [which may, or may not be armoured....].....or slow right down to negotiate the slalom....which gives me plenty of opportunity to exercise the 'look', so ably taught me by at least three ex-wives!

They cannot argue..I've done exactly what they wanted me to do......just a bit too 'clumsily' for their liking??

moneyspendexpert

alastairq wrote: »

Do not be tempted to mount any footpath or pavement. {Contrary to Highways Act 19-something-or-other].

what if the parked vehicles you are passing are already half mounted on a pavement and cause you to drive into the opposing lane ??

I see many cars parked on a footpath/pavement, is this ok ??

Strider590

With parked cars, it's like any other obstruction in the road, the side that's not obstructed has priority.

For example: