AIBU to leave my car parked in 1st facing down on a hill?

[CordeliaGoode]

How long before it starts to roll downhill?

So handbrake on!

First for uphill
Reverse for downhill

I believe that if outside temperatures are below freezing, then handbrake should not be engaged while parked, because it can stay frozen into the "locked" position when the car is later started up.

In hilly places, I would definitely park with wheels turned so the car will turn into the kerb rather than rolling all the way down hill, I would leave the car parked in gear to create more resistance, and if I lived somewhere where parking on steep hills was frequent, I would carry a wedge in the boot in order to block the wheels after parking.

driversed.com/driving-information/driving-techniques/parking-on-a-hill.aspx

Unfortunately, that would be illegal (just based on, y'know, the law)

The Highway Code isn't the law.

The bits that are law refer to the specific bit of legislation in the description.

I only learned about leaving car in gear on a slope after my handbreak cable snapped and the recovery came to sort me out.

Bewildering when the handreak just flys back in your hand.

I have a distrust of hills and feel handbreaks are not enough so tend to do the in gear or wheels turned when parked.

The Highway Code isn't the law

Have you tried fighting that one in court.

I believe that if outside temperatures are below freezing, then handbrake should not be engaged while parked, because it can stay frozen into the "locked" position when the car is later started up.

I think that's a bit of an urban legend rather than reality. I'm sure it will have happened occasionally, but probably incredibly rare and probably only in the extreme cold. Probably a bit like the way you shouldn't use warm water to defrost the car windows as they'll shatter - again, highly unlikely unless you're idiotic enough to use boiling water.

@SoupDragon well on this tread people are saying they leave it off when parking hence my question

@Kazzyhoward same! It's just second nature to put it on. I do leave it in gear not sure if I was taught to or been told to by my husband (only been driving 3 years) but it's never rolled down a hill 🤣

Have you tried fighting that one in court.

I don't have to.

Many of the rules in the Code are legal requirements, and if you disobey these rules you are committing a criminal offence. You may be fined, given penalty points on your licence or be disqualified from driving. In the most serious cases you may be sent to prison. Such rules are identified by the use of the words ‘MUST/MUST NOT’. In addition, the rule includes an abbreviated reference to the legislation which creates the offence.

Although failure to comply with the other rules of the Code will not, in itself, cause a person to be prosecuted, The Highway Code may be used in evidence in any court proceedings under the Traffic Acts

well on this tread people are saying they leave it off when parking hence my question

A very few people. You asked why everyone was doing it.

On the subject of the Highway Code not being law, you will not be prosecuted or receive a ticket if you don't park in gear with your wheels turned. It's not an offence.

Although failure to comply with the other rules of the Code will not, in itself, cause a person to be prosecuted, The Highway Code may be used in evidence in any court proceedings under the Traffic Acts

So, this^ If your car runs off down a hill and causes harm to others, than can be used in evidence against you ignoring the code stipulated to keep all road users safe.

The highway code is quoted as entirely relevant evidence.

I think your just being a little pedantic there.

I'll try to stick to the code thanks, but you leave your handbrake off and if it ends up in court i hope you fall foul of ignoring the highway code, because it happens daily.

On the subject of the Highway Code not being law, you will not be prosecuted or receive a ticket if you don't park in gear with your wheels turned. It's not an offence.

You may well be prosecuted if your rolling car mows down a group of school kids because you left it without taking any precautions to stop it happening!

🙄 That's not the same thing.

The highway code is quoted as entirely relevant evidence.

But not law.

I think your just being a little pedantic there.

No, because it isn't the law unless it says "must" and has the relevant part of the road traffic act. It's not hard. Stating the truth isn't being pedantic FFS.

I'll try to stick to the code thanks, but you leave your handbrake off and if it ends up in court i hope you fall foul of ignoring the highway code, because it happens daily.

You'll have a long wait for that as I've clearly stated that I always park my car in gear. Because it's sensible, not because it's the law.

Unfortunately, that would be illegal confused (just based on, y'know, the law) Oh! Is THAT why it says Decriminalised underneath it? Thanks!!!

Now now children, play nicely . . .

Oh! Is THAT why it says Decriminalised underneath it? Thanks!!!

CuriousaboutSamphire

No

Not fair showing a different page...

Is that why it says decriminalised At the top?

Curious

Curiouser and curiouser.... .