Is shunting a parked car legal??

[Woteap]

I was parked on a busy high street yesterday preparing to pull out and drive off. My seatbelt was not yet on, key not in ignition, handbrake fully engaged. A black cab pulled up alongside and started to reverse into the space in front of me. It was a tight space so I gave him a short friendly toot on the horn when he made contact with my bumper. He continued to reverse and actually pulled forward about 3 times to get his nose in. Each time he reversed into me my car moved backwards 2-3 inches! By this time I was leaning on the horn and shouting out of my window asking him to stop. I am 7 months pregnant and my 2yo son was (thankfully) strapped in the back seat. His female passenger could clearly see me and was smiling and waving through the rear window. When I confronted him about this he said he hadn't realised it was me tooting at him and as there was no damage done everything was ok and walked off. I was left extremely shaken and took photos at the scene showing my car had been shunted back a good 6inches from where I originally parked (well within the parking bay) Even though there was no damage, surely this is irresponsible driving - he could have shunted me into the car parked behind me, I could have been loading the boot at the time etc. I have been driving for 20years and never encountered this - or maybe I've not been in my car when it has happened. Can anyone tell me if this is commonplace/acceptable?

[RATTER15]

Possibly no law against it as such, dangerous driving maybe, undue care and attention, problem is you probably cant prove it happened unless there is damage to your car.

[vulcan]

Certainly not acceptable, commonplace, possibly.Iv'e noticed over the past few years, at least where I live, taxi drivers see themselves outside the rules of the road. No signals, pushing into traffic, speeding, dangerous overtaking,etc.It's becoming more noticeable because there seems to be so many of them these days.

[Woteap]

Thanks both - youve reassured me I'm not being hyper-sensitive. I think I was just shocked as I felt completely helpless whilst it was happening and even worse it was a black cab who are supposed to adhere to higher standards of driving.

[DTCwordfan]

Try going to Paris - this is totally de rigeur.

The best car in Paris would be a Peugeot 405 with RSJs (Iron I bars) welded to the front and rear bumpers - and then you could have real fun parking...

At least no one was injured or any damage. I would report it to his company - or, if you took the taxi licence, the local registraion outfit.

And keep your cool on about it when you do - controlled spleening is more effective than uncontrolled.

[Wrongn3mber]

What an idiot. It's just a pity that you or anyone else never got this on video.

[Mosaic]

DT - you remind me of a sceneI watched on the seafront at Dieppe a few years ago. Cars parked solid all along the road - lady spots a gap that is about 18 inches less than her car length - edges in shunting backwards and forwards till all cars wedged firmly in place then sauntered off for a spot of sunbathing.

[gsr600]

should have let his tyres down - useless git

[hockenc]

Report this to the police asap as this is unacceptable driving..

[boxtops]

I hope you took his number - this is really unacceptable - report it to the police.

[Toureman]

As above, report it to the police, take your driving details and report the cab for leaving the scene of an accident giving his reg no.

The police send will send him a letter saying he might be prosecuted, they will also order him to produce his details at the police station.

[Woteap]

Thanks all! I've made a complaint to the PCO so will let you know what their response is. I still can't believe it.

[welshlibranr]

I live in a busy street!.....happens often here!....folk are so determined to find a free parking space........they'll do anything!...if I go out to my car in the morning and someone is just hanging about looking for a space, they often shout to me 'are you going out?' I say 'no, changed my mind, staying here'....annoys me so much!............

[Twenty20]

"they often shout to me 'are you going out?' I say 'no, changed my mind, staying here'....annoys me so much!"


Why does someone looking for a parking space annoy you so much?

OP, the police wont do anything as there is no evidence and it would be your word against his. You would need to have an independent witness or damage to your vehicle for them to take any notice.

[Woteap]

Well answer from the PCO is that it's not contravening the Hackney Carriages Act so they can't do anything and furthermore only police have the power to follow up on a road traffic incident. They say they will write to the driver advising of my complaint. I seriously doubt the police have the time for this (frankly would rather they spent their resources on more serious crime) and Twenty20 is correct, only my word against his. All the same, very disappointed that people do this kind of thing to each other and can get away with it - it's leaving a bad taste in the mouth. Thanks for all your posts