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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Driveway blocked

106 replies

N51BU · 04/04/2021 08:35

I went to bed very late for me last night (00:15). I noticed a car had parked directly across our driveway so there was absolutely no way we would be able to get out in an emergency

In the last 18 mths we have had to take DD2 to hospital twice as she hit her head resulting in an awful bump in seconds and another time she was struggling to breathe

I checked the cameras and the car first parked there at 23:30 so it had been there forty five minutes before I noticed. I didn't recognise the car or driver and they walked off out of sight. I went to bed a little on edge. What are you meant to do in an emergency? I can only think call a taxi. I guess I could go knocking doors with lights on but that would be very time consuming

OP posts:

shouldistop · 05/04/2021 08:35

I can't tell from the picture op, do you actually have a dropped kerb?

iusedtohavechickens · 05/04/2021 08:47

I had someone block my drive and police wouldn't do anything about it as there was no emergency at the time, my dd has a tracheostomy and we end up in hospital at all sorts of time day and night!

Apparently it's down to the council to patrol parking issues, the council said to get pictures of people parking and send them in so they can monitor the situation?!

trevthecat · 05/04/2021 09:02

This kind of thing drives me mad. Why would anyone think it's ok to park over someone's drive! It has happened to us a few times (we live by a very big tourist attraction, parking is expensive so our road is often used, have spoken to neighbours about permits but some don't want to pay it and the council want us to all agree) no only is it against the law but it's just bloody rude

Doris86 · 05/04/2021 09:08

@iusedtohavechickens

I had someone block my drive and police wouldn't do anything about it as there was no emergency at the time, my dd has a tracheostomy and we end up in hospital at all sorts of time day and night!

Apparently it's down to the council to patrol parking issues, the council said to get pictures of people parking and send them in so they can monitor the situation?!

Do you have a dropped kerb and was your car in your drive at the time?

If so then the police were wrong. It’s a case of obstructing access to the highway, which is very much a police matter, rather than a simple parking issue.

Don’t let the police fob you off if it happens again.

DartmoorDoughnut · 05/04/2021 09:09

I still feel shame over accidentally blocking someone’s driveway when we first moved here, it was super late and I’d just driven down from North Yorkshire to Devon so was exhausted, no street lights on and I just thought it was a fence but it was someone’s gates, the shame!

In any case I do feel better for having confessed that

Hope the car has moved OP

Harryo · 05/04/2021 09:28

@shouldistop

I can't tell from the picture op, do you actually have a dropped kerb?

It doesn’t really look dropped on the photo imo.

Cheeserton · 05/04/2021 09:34

I'd suggest that no, you couldn't go knocking at houses 'with lights on' after midnight. You'd certainly get toldwwhere to go if you did so at our house at such an hour for that reason.

shouldistop · 05/04/2021 09:35

I know actually, it looks like the car is at an angle meaning it's wheels are up on the kerb. In that case op, you don't have a driveway to block (according to the Highway Code anyway).

PanamaPattie · 05/04/2021 09:43

As pp. The picture suggests you’ve haven’t got a dropped kerb.

Doris86 · 05/04/2021 09:44

@shouldistop

I know actually, it looks like the car is at an angle meaning it's wheels are up on the kerb. In that case op, you don't have a driveway to block (according to the Highway Code anyway).

It certainly looks like it’s parked on the kerb, it depends if there is a dropped kerb hidden under the car?

But yes if no dropped kerb, there is no right of access to the ‘drive’, that car could stay parked there for months and nothing you can do about it.

Fernie6491 · 05/04/2021 09:48

Could you not get your local council to paint H lines across the road in front of your drive? We had this done for a reasonable cost, but it. Is useful as visible reminder to those who may think of parking there?

captainprincess · 05/04/2021 09:51

This is annoying for you OP. I know everyone is saying you would call 999 if it was an emergency but what if it's an emergency as in you need to get somewhere not actually require emergency services. Like a family member has been taken ill and you need to get to hospital or pick up their dog or your child is sick and needs you to go and get them.
There are emergencies that don't require the emergency services.

NaughtyNell · 05/04/2021 09:58

I get this all the time, drives me mad. People think you are most unreasonable when you ask them to move, bloody abusive some of them. I've now taken to parking over my own driveway im so sick of it

notanothersaveusername · 05/04/2021 10:11

@GoWalkabout

Just leave a note. It's not a police matter. Annoying though and I understand that you might need the car.

Yes it is, it's causing an obstruction. The police won't rush out to move it though. However it's not a police matter if they park in your driveway. That's civil law.

Steptoeshorse1965 · 05/04/2021 10:48

@Doris86

Steptoeshorse1965 I suggest you read some of the posts above. It is an offence to block a dropped kerb and there certainly are things which can be done about it.

And if you look into the rules, you will find there is actually very little which is enforceable in law. You can make complaints, ask the person to move, but to think a tow truck will turn out, or the Police, who seldom turn up to actual bona fide criminal episode, like assaults, burglaries nowadays, just because someone blocks your drive, you are wrong.

To park ON someone's drive even, on it, is only trespass, a civil law matter, and you can only ask the driver to move it. Why do you think the parking situation in England is like it is. The limit to any recourse is ask for a vehicle to be moved, in the main, and sustained complaint to the lA/Council etc would be just that.

Steptoeshorse1965 · 05/04/2021 10:49

@NaughtyNell

I get this all the time, drives me mad. People think you are most unreasonable when you ask them to move, bloody abusive some of them. I've now taken to parking over my own driveway im so sick of it

Why not just park on it, and stop being silly, you have a driveway, so why park on the road. your attitude is just as bad really.

WitchDancer · 05/04/2021 10:51

@Fernie6491

Oh if only this did make a difference. Our driveway gets blocked in at least 4-5 times daily, even though it is obviously a drive and has got a white H line. We've got a post office and a couple of shops right by us and 'I'm only going to be a minute' is the default mindset for those that can't seem to walk another couple of car lengths

I have learned much patience in the two years we've lived here.

OldEvilOwl · 05/04/2021 11:03

Did you leave a note on it?

Steptoeshorse1965 · 05/04/2021 11:18

@OldEvilOwl

And you feel the need to depart your drive just as a car draws up perhaps? They may only be gone a couple of minutes. You say a default mindset? You live near the PO, perhaps a bit of tolerance on your own part, in your mindset maybe??

Tistheseason17 · 05/04/2021 11:31

In my old house this happened.
I never saw who did it but it caused me issues as I could not go out when I wanted to.
I put a note on the first 2 times.
I called 111 the 3rd time and as the owner could not be located, the police put a fine on the windshield.
He made himself known when he got his fine - shouting an swearing at me. I kept my cool and said, "well, now you know it costs £60 to park there and block me in after I'd asked you politely twice - and do it again, that'll be another £60 , so knock yourself out " then I shut the door. Jumped up self entitled prick.

OldEvilOwl · 05/04/2021 11:32

Steptoeshoehorse1965 I only asked if she left a note on it so not quite sure what your on about?

OldEvilOwl · 05/04/2021 11:35

Steptoeshorse1965 that should say

LongCOVID · 05/04/2021 11:40

Be careful not to spill paint stripper onto their car. That would be a shame.

Sparklingbrook · 05/04/2021 11:42

@LongCOVID

Be careful not to spill paint stripper onto their car. That would be a shame.

The car is gone.

Comefromaway · 05/04/2021 11:47

Not all emergencies are 999 issues. Several times in the last year we’ve had to make sudden emergency visits to my in laws at various times of the day. Two were when an ambulance was called to fil and dh had to go to his mum with dementia, several were when fil was not coping with mil and dh had to go intervene. On one occasion when fil was in hospital the person staying with mil overnight had to leave and dh found it impossible to get a taxi, one just wouldn’t come out to us. (Mil-cannot be left alone at all)

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