Parking

[granny grump]

As I was unable to park outside my own nhouse I parked on the main road. I was extremely careful not to block any driveway or anyone's way. The house I parked in front of has an extremly wide entrance to their off road parking and I was very careful not to park across any part of the dropped kerb but I was level with where the dropped kerb started and I checked this before I left my car. The entrance to the drive was not blocked in any way at all. When I returned to the car I found a note on it to ask me not to park there again as I blocked her view when driving out of her drive - not true and if I had kinocked on her door she would have let me park on her drive - I don't think so. Am I right that if I have not parked across the dropped kerb I have done nothing wrong?

[Andyvon]

Provided your car is legal and sensibly parked (which it seemed to be) your neighbour has no real justification to put notes on your car. Any average driver can negotiate parked cars when driving, so what's her problem.

I had this when we moved to our house ten years ago. The road is a public road on an estate and no one has a parking space. However, all the neighbours have 'their' parking spot outside their house. When we moved in I parked outside the house two doors along - and found a note on the windscreen asking me not to park in their space! I nearly knocked on the door but I'm pleased I didn't as we know them now and have got along fine ever since. Indeed, if I come back to find someone has parked in 'my space' I feel a little peeved. It's the same inherent possessive and territorial instinct of humans that leads to murders, most wars etc.

I think you were properly parked granny from what you say. I think your neighbour's showing that same possessive instinct. It's just a matter of keeping them happy so that everyone gets along.

[joko]

no, you have done nothing wrong. it may be a n inconvenience to her but she cannot claim sections of the highway at her convenience

i would put a note back through informing her of that.

[granny grump]

Thank you Andyvon and joko. From the note she made out that she didn't know who I was - but she does. I haven't confronted her as I have to work with her mother. I have decided that if it is mentioned I will just say that we had a really good laugh about it (I might add 'after we had corredted her spelling & grammar!' but maybe not) It certainly won't stop me parking there again if the occasion arises

[TWR]

Hi the only problem that I can see here is the other person Vision on Exiting her / his drive, MEANING, they would have to edge their way out of their drive, if poss try not to park to close to the kerb edge this in turn will to a point allow them to see what is approaching from either the left / right.

[milly143]

Whilst you might have parked legally, I can see this from her perspective. Our offices back off from a 50mph road behind a row of houses. When you drive out of our car park there are often cars parked in a layby either side of the exit. They all belong to the house owners and are there completely legitimately but it can be a real problem trying to pull out on to the road because the cars are blocking your view so you just have to edge out really really slowly and hope nothing is coming. The problem is that there are too many cars and not enough places to park so it's a difficult situation for both parties.

[cassa333]

TWR, If they have to edge out carefully then that is what they have to do. They should drive out carefully anyway and as long as the parked car isn't blocking access then there is nothing that can be done. Even if the home owner had an accident they couldn't claim the parked car was to blame.

Even if you had parked a small distance over the edge of the dropped curb but still left ample space to exit (as far as I know you do not have to leave space to enter!) there is little the police would have done as it is deemed too trivial to bother with.

[Answerprancer]

IMO you have not done anything illegal, just a bit inconsiderate.
I know only too well what it's like trying to negotiate my way onto a busy road from a driveway with cars squashed onto the edges of it, especially in reverse.
I think it was very kind of the note-writer to offer you a space in their driveway, I'd have apologised and taken her up on the offer for the sake of convenience and good neighbourly relations.

[granny grump]

Thank you all for yor help - The lady in question is someone who feels she is on a different level to the rest of us. The entrance to her driveway is at least twice the size of any normal driveway and I only parked where I did as a last resort. I know full well what the answer would have been if I had knocked on her door and asked to park on her drive - however she wasn't at home when I needed to park.

There is plenty of room to see up and down the road when exiting the driveway.

Thank you all again for putting both sides of he argument - I think that you may know her docspock!

[SeaJayPea]

Well, it's certainly an offence to park within 15 feet of a corner. Don't know off the top of my head whether this rule applies to driveways, though.

[joko]

i totally understand why its annoying for her...but its just tough...she is obviously one of thos epeople who believ they own the road outside their house...

i find other cars get in my way all the time, all over the place but i dont expect people to work round me..

[cassa333]

I would stop saying 'I only did it as a last resort'. It doesn't matter if it is first or last resort you CAN park there.

It is in now way inconsiderate to park legally. If she has an extra wide driveway then even less inconsiderate.

It is the home owner being pompas.

Ignore her.

BTW I would park there often just to proove a point but that is just me lol

[granny grump]

Thank you CJP joko & cassa333