Many drivers aren't aware of a little known rule in the Highway Code which means you could get a fine for parking the wrong way.
New regulations were also added to the Highway Code to people and motorists passing parked vehicles as people have died from being hit by a car door which can lead to a fatality. The updated Highway Code rules explain that people cycling should take care when passing parked vehicles, leaving enough room to avoid being hit if a car door is opened, reports BirminghamLive.
According to Rule 248 of the Highway Code, you must not park on a road at night facing against the direction of the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space. Some of the Highway Code isn't enshrouded in law but this rule is supported by two statutes of legislation which means you could face criminal prosecution.
Read more: Pedestrian dies after being hit by a car
The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 and the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 both state drivers must not park on a road at night facing towards the traffic. This would allow police to start criminal prosecution if it causes an accident.
A spokesman for Scrapcarcomparison.co.uk said: "Motors parked the correct way would be visible and illuminated by headlights bouncing off the rear reflectors. We’ve dealt with cars that have been written-off due to a passing car crashing into them as they have partly stuck out from a parking space."
Drivers do not need to worry about parking the wrong way during the day, but it could become a issue that may lead to a major accident at nighttime.
This comes amid a rules shake-up to the Highway Code earlier this year in January that saw many changes implemented for drivers and road users. The introduction section of The Highway Code has been updated to include three new rules about the new hierarchy of road users.
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