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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that people should park on their drives if they have one?!

169 replies

Singsongsung · 16/08/2015 08:28

Ok. It's a parking AIBU so I'm bracing myself...
I live on a cul-de-sac, they layout of which means that parking is pretty limited. There are several people who regularly park on the road when they have decent drives (easily big enough for 2 or 3 cars). This means that whenever we have visitors they have nowhere to park and end up parking on another road entirely (probably irritating the hell out of the people who live there!).
I don't understand at all why anyone would choose to park on the road and leave their driveway empty?
AIBU? (Dons hard hat and braces herself)...

OP posts:
Original poster
Singsongsung · 16/08/2015 09:28

Are there not insurance implications anyway? You usually tell your insurer that you have off road parking when you get quotes don't you? Surely if your car gets bumped/scratched and you are on the road outside your house there must be implications for your insurance?

OP posts:
Littlefluffyclouds81 · 16/08/2015 09:31

Don't get why they would do it...as surely their insurance would be cheaper for parking on their drive? It's one of the questions you are asked when taking out a policy...not sure where they would stand if told insurers they parked on their drive and then their car got driven into or broken into while they were parked on the road.

Littlefluffyclouds81 · 16/08/2015 09:32

Cross posts sing!

CoogerAndDark · 16/08/2015 09:32

I park on the road during the day because if I park in my drive some selfish arse will block my drive.

Original poster
Singsongsung · 16/08/2015 09:34

He he at Little. Great minds and all that...

OP posts:
NurNochKurzDieWeltRetten · 16/08/2015 09:39

There are 4 fit and healthy adults living in the house next door to us (couple in their early 60s and their adult DD and her DH, not a house of multiple occupancy). They have 4 cars (1 each) and a chihuahua. They all park on the road and leave the 2 car drive free for the chihuahua to occasionally have a run about on for 10 mins... Hmm

We live on a quiet road with no allocated parking of any kind on which everyone has a driveway, and there is not a problem finding a place on the road for visitors to park so it wouldn't matter, although it annoys me a bit that it impairs visibility for pedestrians crossing the road more than necessary (all their cars are large - 2 big 4 by 4s, an old VW camper van and a jeep thing - though all are generally used only for one person). However when once DH was parked on our drive and the road space outside our house had an unknown car parked in it I parked in front of their house (not blocking their never used drive at all, but level with the high hedge around their garden in a place they usually park) they left a very snotty note on my windscreen saying it would be nice if they could park outside their house and would I please move my car immediately. When I didn't move it because I didn't need to drive anywhere the next day and saw no reason why I should move it specially they came over and knocked on the door and told asked me to move it and played musical cars shuffling theirs around to get one back into that space. They had only had to park about 15 paces further from their house than usual and obviously expended far more effort re-shuffling the cars than walking 15 paces to and from the parked car.

That pissed me off.

Skeppers · 16/08/2015 09:39

I am also donning my flame-retardant jumpsuit and joining this thread.

One house in our street has a garage plus a driveway large enough to accommodate two cars. Yet, frequently, they will park 2 of their 3 cars in the only 2 street parking spots opposite our house and leave their driveway empty. I've never seen it used by visitors.

I've been tempted on more than one occasion to park my car on their drive...

Skeppers · 16/08/2015 09:41

(They are a couple, btw, no DCs..and they have THREE cars)

avocadotoast · 16/08/2015 09:49

I never park in my drive.

It's at an awkward angle to the rest of the road - we're on the end of the street, so you either have to drive straight into it - which makes reversing a bugger because it's s narrow street and there's always a car parked directly opposite - or reverse in, which is worse because it's flanked by an enormous wall on one side.

And it's on a slope, and it's really narrow, so getting in a position to easily get myself and baby out is a PITA.

Much easier to park on the street.

But, saying that, if we had a drive that was bigger, flat and easier to access, I probably would park in it.

DurhamDurham · 16/08/2015 09:54

We have three cars ( daughters share a car and both me and husband needs cars for work ), we have a rule which is first car home has to park on the road, second car home on the drive and third car home blocks in car on the drive. It's the only way we can manage, if we used the drive first the chances are that the road would be full and we'd have to park outside someone else's house which we hate to do.
We do our best not to inconvenience neighbours so always try to park outside out own home but not everyone else thinks like that.

avocadotoast · 16/08/2015 09:56

Oh, but then you have people like my NDN as well, who doesn't have a drive but does have two cars (despite living by himself) and seems to have taken it upon himself to be parking warden of the street.

We had a visitor last week and as she got out of her car he actually asked her how long she was going to be parked there because the house she'd parked in front of need to get two cars in that space (it's all on street parking, we're the only house that has a drive) Shock

And then when she said she was visiting us he said "oh well that's fine, I don't imagine you'll be there long then, just a couple of hours" ShockShock

Bloody busybody...

bonitomojito · 16/08/2015 10:01

I totally agree with you ! We live on a cul de sac where people do exactly the same and it winds me up no end ! also dons hard hat

Marcelinewhyareyousomean · 16/08/2015 10:10

yanbu.

iabu - neighbours parking outside of my house drives me nuts. They park half on/off a grass verge and the council posts leaflets through my door asking me not to.

ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 16/08/2015 10:12

Our ex NDN had a garage and a driveway. He carried on somethi g shocking when we had a skip on the road for a few weeks whilst our extension was being built. I always pointed out that he had a garage and drive and he and his wife could park their cars there, at which he'd stalk off muttering.
Then one day he came round and said (wheedling) that since he often came home late, by which time the spaces near his house were taken and he had to walk carrying his heavy bag, could I possibly park on the road until 8pm or so, then move my car onto my own space, thus saving a space for him when hegot home? Didn't get far with that suggestion!
I know everyone pays road tax and all (although the insurance point is a good one), but it's very selfish to take it up when you have an alternative. Imho.

SuckMySquallop · 16/08/2015 10:17

Sorry OP, YABU.

Your guests has as much "right" to park in your street as your neighbour. Its their prerogative to park (legally) where they wish.

You're very sad if this is a bane of your life. Live and let live. I'd understand if they were blocking your drive, but they aren't. They dont need to justify themselves to you.

And FWIW, I also do the same and park on the road and not use the drive.

Insurance isnt an issue since insurance, by default, covers cars on the public highway. You are clutching at straws. Worry about something else which you can change instead of something like this.

Original poster
Singsongsung · 16/08/2015 10:34

It's not my only concern in life (crikey if only!) but it is a pain and it does cause havoc for our visitors whilst causing no inconvenience at all for those who park on the road (their visitors use their drives!!). I have at least two people who visit me who are disabled and still have to struggle parking further away.

I just think it's a bit selfish to park on the very limited amount of public space all of the time (literally) and leave a perfectly good, large driveway empty.

OP posts:
TenForward82 · 16/08/2015 10:37

Oh, man. This drives me mad. I live on a narrow road near a guy who has two large vans, which he parks at various places all over the street (and nearby streets), but never on his driveway. They block views, get in the way, prevent other people parking, and the whole time his massive driveway is nice and empty. I think it's obnoxious.

FTR we own land next to our house and park on that, even though we don't yet have a driveway laid down.

MesservyMiles · 16/08/2015 10:39

Well I think YANBU.
Unfortunately there are just some selfish people around - yes it's a public highway but it is jolly inconsiderate to leave cars where it inconveniences others. If you have a driveway, surely that's for parking cars on!! (Even if it's just one, it would be better than nothing). Yes, yes, I know some will say they can do what they want with their property - but it's still inconsiderate if it's an area where there isn't much parking available!

Nosynora · 16/08/2015 10:41

I have a shared drive which we used to park in but the ndn complained to the council and apparently shared drives have to be kept clear for access and by law now one should park in them !!
So we all fight for parking space on the road whilst the drive with space for 3 cars sits empty .

MoriartyIsMyAngel · 16/08/2015 10:46

If you can't beat them, join them. On the days you know you'll have visitors get out and park on the road while there is still space.

SuckMySquallop · 16/08/2015 10:50

So their visitors use the drive while your neighbours park on the road?

Pray tell, what exactly is the harm in that? Their visitors get a space off the road, the neighbour is parked outside with a space - tough shit really.

Inconsiderate doesnt make it wrong. You are still BVVU and have little grounds for complaint - you could do the same. If you do not, thats your problem.

50ShadesofNope · 16/08/2015 11:00

Just because they are legally allowed to do something doesn't mean they should. Blocking public parking rather than using your own for no reason other than 'I want to park here and I can' is just bloody selfish and unneighbourly.

IF they had visitors, or IF they wouldn't be able to get off their drive again due to narrow roads then fair enough. But doing it without an decent excuse just makes you a bit of an arse. A law abiding arse granted, but don't be surprised when people dislike you for being a selfish twit.

TenForward82 · 16/08/2015 11:11

50Shades exactly!

I think people do this because it allows them a "quick getaway". That's the only reason I can think of.

faintlyoptimistic · 16/08/2015 11:20

Our neighbours do this. They park both cars in the turning circle despite having a perfectly good driveway. It bugs me but their front garden is very narrow so I imagine they are stopping others from parking head on right in front of their living room. We are opposite and have a front garden at least 4 times wider with a hedge so not sure I'm in a position to get arsey! YANBU to get pissed off though.

Lurkedforever1 · 16/08/2015 11:23

Yabu. I've never felt the need to park elsewhere but my drive, but would if I did. Parking space costs, whether that's a private space, using your own garden, or having a 5 car driveway. Nobody sacrifices land they could use differently and money for the community minded act of leaving street parking for everyone else.