Car Vs pushchair, which mum was right? School run, plus diagram

[Barrenfieldoffucks]

I saw this happening this morning and can't decide which mum was right.

Situation is a small village school situated on a small lane. No pavement along the lane, until a very small bit just next to school entrance. Quite a high one.

Parent 1 usually drives up lane to next to small pavement, puts hazards on and sits on double yellows to let little boy out, and sits there while he goes in and to his door. I initially leapt to thinking she was unreasonable because this is really annoying for pedestrians coming past due to cars having to avoid her.

Parent 2 walks along lane with buggy and two small children.

In this instance, parent 2 was walking along and passing the pavement to go up into school entrance. Very short pavement so I assume she decided not to try to get buggy up it just to get down off it again a few paces later for entrance.

Parent 1 comes along in car, puts hazards on and starts coming in alongside the pavement. Thereby squashing (she only stopped when parent 2 waved in the open window) parent 2 against the kerb.

So. Parent 1 apologised but said she "assumed parent 2 had got up on the pavement".

Parent 2 asked whether parent 1 had been able to see her or not

Parent 1 said she had seen her but then assumed she had got on the pavement so started coming in. And that she stops there so that she can U turn in the entrance of the road opposite school to go back the way she came.

My initial thoughts were that 1 was unreasonable, but then I wondered if she was correct that 2 should have got on the pavement?

Or both?

Parent 1 apologised but said she "assumed parent 2 had got up on the pavement".

Never ASSUME anything when behind the wheel of a car.

Car driver totally in the wrong.

It's reasonable to think a pushchair mum or a wheelchair user might struggle with a kerb and not get straight onto the pavement.

Regardless the driver needs to check the road is clear before moving into a space. If she had used her wing mirror she'd likely have seen her.

And pushchair mum could also argue that she assumed nobody would be stupid enough to park on double yellow lines.

Driver definitely in the wrong, double yellows are there for a reason.

A two ton car v a human child in a pushchair...

It beggars belief you need to ask

I want every other word of the last sentence to be rude

And 5 people die every day at the hands of motorist

Including children

Sick society that we live in that has to ask the above question

I’m seriously going to hide the thread as I find it upsetting 😡

Driver is in the wrong. You can't make assumptions you deal with the actuality!

I assume you are the driver as you still seem to want to apportion at least some of the blame to P2.

Of course the car driver is 100% in the wrong. Doesn’t sound like she’s a safe driver if she assumes people will move and then drives into the space they’re occupying.

Parent 1, obviously.

Absolutely agreed parent 1 is in the wrong. She shouldn't have been anywhere near the double yellow lines. They are there to protect people trying to cross the road from a busy school.

I'm surprised the school hasn't had a word actually. Our's did when people insisted on dropping kids right near the school gates and they were told in no uncertain terms to park the car, lock it and bring the child into school.

I guarantee you parent 1 would go ballistic if she pulled up to collect her child and another car was already there, pulling into the kerb just as her precious darling stepped off it.

OP I'll answer the question you aren't specifically asking in your initial post but allude to later.

If it doesn't suit you with your buggy to bump up onto a short bit of pavement and bump down again soon after then no keep on the road, being mindful of this parent and others like her.

P1 should have been more aware and not just assumed. I imagine P2 had a real fright when it happened and you're thinking about whether it could have been you if you don't think whether your actions might contribute to it. Prevention is better than cure. So yes if you want to avoid it entirely bump up the high pavement. If you want to continue doing what is convenient be mindful of hers and others careless driving.

Pedestrians always have priority.

This is a situation where the driver’s desire for her child’s safety puts other children at risk. She should park properly somewhere where’s there a parking space which DOESN’T put squash pedestrians or put them in danger.

The stupid bint in her car needs to stop driving like an arsehole

Car driver is wrong. No argument. Put a camera on the road, and fine anyone stopping on double yellows to drop off.

Bearing in mind that this is outside a primary school P1 is utterly unthinking to assume all pedestrians are on the pavement when for most of the lane there is no pavement because children are completely unpredictable!!!

I would ask that the school have a word with her about PARKING on the double lines FFS does she have no sense?

I think P1 can legally stop on yellow lines for long enough for a child to get out, it's the waiting while he walks in that makes what she's doing illegal.

It’s also the not paying due care and attention that is illegal. She assumed the woman and children stepped up on the kerb. What sort of a sodding defence is that? Use your eyes and be sure they’re out of the road before you pull in. Anything else is reckless.

Maybe the school or Council could add a little ramp to high kerb to make it easier to access?

Parent 1 is totally at fault.

This is not a situation that is a matter of opinion. All of this is covered specifically by the highway code, which the driver, at least, should know.

You can't stop to let someone out on double yellow lines.

You can, contrary to a PP, do U-turns on most roads. That's why you have to do 3-point turns in your test.

Pavements (including any path along the side of a road) should be used if provided. Where possible, avoid being next to the kerb with your back to the traffic. If you have to step into the road, look both ways first. Always show due care and consideration for others.