Driveway wars - awkward petty neighbour

[Tarytino]

We live on a shared drive way (shared with 3 houses). We’re in the middle. Yesterday we had a friend over and I told him to park just outside of our house (on the shared driveway) as house 3 was out. An hour or so later house 3 arrives home - instead of simply asking him to move the car they sat there honking on the horn. It’s a short driveway, they could have parked at the end and walked down to their house (plenty of parking on street at end of driveway) but no. Friend went out and moved his car - no thanks, no acknowledgment. Once they had got passed friend moved his car back where it was.

10 mins later - horn honking outside. House 3 had decided to go out again. Friend goes out to move car. 20 minutes later more honking outside. I went out and approached neighbour asking why she is honking her horn rather than using her words. She said “I need to get to my house and there is a car in the way” 🙄 I said “yes, but you don’t need to honk the horn, just knock”. She said “can’t be arsed getting in and out of car”. I left her to it and friend moved car. Needless to say, 20 mins later, more honking outside.

now it was very obvious that neighbour was deliberately going in and out of driveway to make some kind of point. So we played her game and this went on for about 2 hours before she eventually got bored.

Today, we are having gravel delivered and they will be parking on the shared driveway. Normally I’d warn neighbour to let her know to get her car out of driveway so she doesn’t get stuck but because of yesterdays performance - I’m not going to bother. This isn’t the first time we have had issues with this neighbour btw. AIBU to let her get her car stuck? Chances are she won’t be going out anyway but no doubt as soon as she sees someone parked there she’ll suddenly develop an urgent need to go out 🙄

So the dog was on a lead, under your control and she nearly ran it over? She must have driven right at you whilst you were sitting at your table enjoying drinks well out of the way and not blocking the driveway? If that was the case I would have called the police to report her for dangerous driving.

You were being petty and blocking her access, there was no reason your friend couldn’t (and shouldn’t have) parked on the street. She has a right to access her driveway and your friends shouldn’t be parking blocking that. You and your friend both sound quite self entitled

If it's not far to walk from the end of the driveway down to your house (which you said your neighbour could have done), then I don't understand why your friend couldn't park at the end?

Incorrect. That time restriction is for emergency use only.

At all times the following apply (RAC).

I have been stopped by the police outside the restricted hours for beeping someone who cut across me.

Furthermore it is really annoying when people wake up the street when picking up friends but too lazy to walk 10m from their car!

The ops neighbour could get round it by saying they were on a drive but I bet they have done it on the road as well.

'When are you not allowed to sound your horn?
Outside of emergency situations, drivers are not allowed to use car horns in built-up areas between the hours of 11pm and 7am.
Drivers are also not allowed to use them in stationary traffic, to get the attention of other road users or used in frustration.
Repeated use of a car horn is also banned.
A car horn is a safety device – and not something that is used to catch the attention of other drivers or as a sign of aggression.'

The first part of 112 always applies
In the UK Highway Code, Rule 112 states that a vehicle's horn should only be used to warn other road users of your presence when your vehicle is moving and there is a potential danger. It should not be used to express annoyance or impatience. Specifically, you must not use your horn while stationary on the road or in a built-up area between 11:30 pm and 7:00 am, unless another road user poses a danger.

When to use the horn:
To warn of danger:
Use the horn to alert other road users to your presence when there's a risk of collision or other potentially dangerous situation.

Around blind bends or in low visibility:
When approaching a blind bend or in conditions like fog or heavy rain, use the horn to warn other drivers or pedestrians.

When your vehicle is obscured:
If your vehicle is hidden from view, use the horn to make your presence known.

When not to use the horn:
To express annoyance or impatience: Don't use the horn to show frustration with another driver or pedestrian.

While stationary on the road: Unless there is an immediate danger, avoid using the horn while your vehicle is stopped.

Between 11:30 pm and 7:00 am in a built-up area: Refrain from using the horn during these hours unless absolutely necessary to avoid a collision.

To say hello or get someone's attention: The horn is not a greeting.

Consequences of misuse:
Fixed Penalty Notice: You could receive a £30 fixed penalty notice for inappropriate horn use.

Higher fines: If you contest the fine and it goes to court, the penalty could be significantly higher, potentially up to £1,000.

Distraction and potential accidents: Misuse of the horn can be distracting to other drivers and pedestrians, potentially leading to accidents.

When is it illegal to use your horn? - THE HIGHWAY CODE

Highway Code

When can I use my vehicle's horn? - West Yorkshire Police
Search Frequently Asked Questions. Rule 112 of the Highway Code states: 'The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you n...

West Yorkshire Police

What the Highway Code Says About Honking Your Horn - PassMeFast
13 Feb 2024 — Penalties. If you're found to be honking your horn without good reason, you may find yourself with a Fixed Penalty Noti...

PassMeFast

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This thread is hilarious - @Tarytino you must be winding everyone up, no one would think your friend continually blocking the neighbour's access to her drive and the 8 am car washing is reasonable.

i’d hate to be your neighbour.

Visitors should use the street to park, not the shared driveway.

Why should someone that lives in one of the houses have to keep knocking on doors to get a car moved so they can use their parking space? Are you for real? You've admitted there's alternative parking nearby so park your extra cars there and tell your friends to park their cars there. I can't understand why you're asking this question really...self entitled joker

I'd be your neighbour.
If you inconsiderately obstructed my access repeatedly and deliberately , I'd be as difficult as possible and I'd be plotting other ways to legally make your life difficult.
I hope she's on here: go her!

Personally I think you're being unreasonable blocking their driveway in the first place.

YABVU

You / your guests should never park in someone else’s spot / shared driveway area regardless if they are out.
your guests should park down the street, I’d be annoyed if this was my neighbour, I think you should apologise.

My NDN has no driveway yet has 3 cars plus relatives visit a lot. They often park across my dropped curb/white line and when I've had to ask them to move so I can reverse my car off the drive or I've asked her not to park there as I'm I and out all day and nearly scrapping my car on my wall every time I reverse past her car her response has been 'there was nowhere else to park though'. YES THERE IS. further up the cul-de-sac. Don't buy a house with no drive if you can't be arsed to walk 30 feet. Same applies here. Why on earth have you bought a house with a shared driveway access if you hate it so much OP??

my neighbour does this even though he has a drive. Two cars, one on the drive and one parked in front of the drive. When his family or any trades visit they park across my dropped curb!

So inconsiderate. I’ve knocked a few times and even messaged him to ask him to get these people to move yet they continue to do it.

Urrgh why do people do this??? so inconsiderate and lazy

I’d say to my neighbour, in the words of my teenager “that sounds like a you problem”.

How would you feel if this neighbour constantly blocked your right to park on your own driveway? You're being very entitled expecting her to park elsewhere so your friend can park on her driveway. why didn't you ask your friend to park in the road instead? I'd expect to park off street in front of my own house if I had a drive way & not have to park on the road in front. Let her know you're expecting a delivery which may block her access, don't be so childish & petty.

And this is why I would never buy another house with a shared driveway, having had a neighbour who had as much consideration as you. I find it shocking that you seem to enjoy antagonising your neighbour. I hope she moves and someone like you moves in and pisses you off on a regular basis.

No one has any "right" to block a shared driveway if it is in the Deeds. Doesn't matter if a visitor blocks it or something is being delivered. You and your visitor are in the wrong.

You are/were very ignorant and should apologise to your neighbour as they could be minded to take legal action against you.

Zombie thread.

Why did you drag this thread up again @Hhhwgroadk and create a zombie thread ...?!

People like you are the reason I never want to have neighbours. Allowing a visitor to obstruct access to someone else's driveway and then complaining about them shows what a petty, spiteful person you are.