A parking one!

[holidaysareoverated]

We have put in a new driveway and the council have dropped the kerb outside. However, they have failed to remove the markings that there used to be a parking space there. The markings are a bit of a mess as the old markings are there alongside the guides the council have put there to show where they are moving the parking space to.

A young girl has come along, parked her car, put her headphones in and walked off in the direction of the town centre. I didn't have time to run out and stop her and the headphones meant shouting after her wouldn't have done any good.

Would I be unreasonable to request that the council send a warden out to give her a ticket?

There is no way that she could have missed that she was parking across our drive. It's large and has a big car parked on it. There were 2 parking spaces there and our drive is bang in the middle... she has parked her small Fiesta in the middle too. So right over the dropped kerb with no attempt to leave any room for access. Had it still been a parking space she would be effectively stopping another car from being able to park there. If she had parked at the beginning or end of the bay we could have still got off our driveway.

So What would you do?

[MoiraBrown101]

If she's young she may not be aware that dropped kerbs are restricted at all times. I know there's a theory test and people are supposed to learn the rules before they pass etc but I work in the Parking industry and you would be AMAZED at how many people are out on the road without knowing all the rules.

[MagpieCursedTea]

I'm sure she'll be mortified when she comes back. I doubt she's parked there to deliberately block your drive and getting a ticket will probably result in her being more careful in future.
As for the nursery pick up, can anyone help you get your car out if you're not confident doing it? Or maybe do the pick up for you?

[BreconBeBuggered]

Why do you keep putting emphasis on your big car and her small car?

I don't understand why you think the comparison deserves a biscuit. I have a big 10-year-old car. It's worth about 10% as much as my neighbour's shiny new little car, if that. If the little car was parked across my drive, I'd be wondering how the hell the driver hadn't noticed my ruddy great tank sitting there as well.

[MoiraBrown101]

Having said that, it's no excuse as you are supposed to learn then. Report her. Harsh lesson but needs to be taught

[holidaysareoverated]

Because her car is small yet she has taken up what used to be a parking bay for two cars for a Fiesta, so even if it was still in use she has parked like an idiot. If she had parked better I would have been able to squeeze out around her.

I am pointing out that my car is big because it is, therefore it's not like she could have not noticed it parked on my drive... and I need more space to get out than if it was a mini. It's hardly a boast... I never said it was new or flashy... it isn't.

Even if I had reversed in it still wouldn't be safe to drive out the way I would have to. I'd still have to drive along the pavement and around a corner. If it was a straight road it wouldn't be as much of an issue but it's a corner.

Why am I beginning to feel like I'm having to justify myself? I've said I DON'T want to get her towed and hope she comes back. But she has been there blocking me in since 9.25am. I don't want to have to drive dangerously and stupidly myself in order to save her from the consequences of her actions.

[SoupDragon]

Why do you keep putting emphasis on your big car and her small car?

Well, I guess because it's harder to miss a large car parked on a driveway. If you can't see a large car on a drive then you probably shouldn't be driving.

As far as I can see, the size of the other car has only been mentioned once.

Did you have a point?

[ijustwannadance]

Is nursery walking distance? Only asking as mine is but I still drive on odd day im not at work.

[Sparklingbrook]

TBF if you can't see a small car in a driveway you shouldn't be driving either. it's still a reasonably sized object.

[MoiraBrown101]

And to the poster who said stop being spiteful, the OP very obviously is not being spiteful. She's reported the car because she needs to get out of her driveway, which the girl should not have parked across. The driver probably would have got a ticket anyway from the sounds of it, without the OP reporting her. Any consequences she faces are a result of her poor parking.

OP, do what you need to do.

[CommanderShepard]

Quite, Moira. And if she doesn't notice that there's a car on a drive which she has now blocked in what the hell else is she missing?

[RandomFriend]

Can you get someone to help you back out around the corner?

[ijustwannadance]

The spiteful comment wasn't about the girl getting a ticket it was about getting car towed. Was made when op said husband had just told her to drive over pavement, which he might've been able to, before op then said it was a phone conversation and she is an unconfident driver.

[mateysmum]

You don't need to justify yourself OP. Do whatever you need to do to be able to go about your essential business. If you have to get it towed, do so. This driver may not have appreciated what she was doing, but she has been at best stupid and lacking in awareness and at worst stupid and inconsiderate. Why should you be inconvenienced? To put it brutally, she is not entitled to your consideration. She did not consider you!

[petalunicorn]

People are making you justify your actions because it would be disproportionate to get her towed if there's anyway you can get out at all. A ticket, yes definately, but towing will cost her hundreds. I would get a neighbour to either move my car or keep watch for pedestrians. I had a similiar situation once and a random stranger offered to get my car out. A bit trusting perhaps, but he got my car out and I was very grateful.

[forago]

parkinh across someone's drive = you're a tway, end of. all other factors irrelevant IMO. get her towed.

[AliceAlice1979]

What time do you need to do the nursery run op?

[forago]

twat I mean of course,there really.is no justification for doing that. imagine of you had a medical problem or your child had an accident at nursery? you wouldn't be waiting round for someone to help you reverse out awkwardly whilst pregnant than. and if you do that and hit her car or another car you will be liable.

[flanjabelle]

I'm not sure why people are making excuses for a 'young girl'. If she is legal to drive, then she should he just as competent as everyone else, or she shouldn't be on the road. Any idiot knows you don't block a driveway. it's hardly complicated is it?

[holidaysareoverated]

Nursery is 30-45 minute walk. In theory I could walk and collect my toddler. In reality I am pregnant, iron deficient, breathless and it's uphill. The idea of the journey even one way makes me want to cry let alone both ways.

Nobody else could collect for me. Neighbours are elderly and frail and I wouldn't want to ask them. I wouldn't even want to attempt it anyway. DH said what he did without having seen the car and how/where it's parked. If she wasn't bang in the middle I could get past by driving with one wheel over the grass verge that isn't a dropped kerb. As it stands I can't.

Anyway.... I haven't reported her. She has until 3.30 before I have to seriously consider it. I am hoping she just comes back because this is stressing me out.

I am usually at work until 6.30 so for all I know she parks there every day.

[ijustwannadance]

I way always under the impression you could only use a parking permit in your own road? Could you knock on a few doors see if anyone knows who owner is?

[MokunMokun]

I'd just call now. It might take a while to get the car towed and if you can't pick up your kid you'll be in a lot of trouble. She might come and move her car between now an the tow truck turning up anyway.

[Sparklingbrook]

Taxi?

[holidaysareoverated]

Parking permits here are for zones. This street is covered by permits for 2 zones. So she could live anywhere.

Because we are close to the town centre and the mainline station people use the street, and surrounding ones, to park while they go shopping or into London for the day. Restrictions only exist for 2 hours in the middle of the day so most people move their cars before they kick in.

[Ohfourfoxache]

Christ on a bike (actually a bike would be easier to get out )

What is it with op having to justify herself?

The car is parked badly, across a dropped kerb, and is blocking op in. It doesn't matter if it's a car or a moped or a tank - the fact remains that op can't get out.

Iiwy I'd report it sooner rather than later Holidays - it can take ages to get a car towed.

[TheHormonalHooker]

I agree with Reality. You can get out without getting her towed, so it would be spiteful to do so.

For future reference the Highway Code says you should reverse in to a driveway and drive out, where possible.