Parking Opposite a Driveway

[ToxicBunny]

If you are parking on the opposite side of the road to his driveway, then you are perfectly legal, and if he crashes into your car whilst leaving his property, his insurance will have to fork out to fix.

[droplet]

Road Traffic Act

Parking of vehicles

1) No person shall park a vehicle on a public road –

(e) in such manner as to encroach upon the sidewalk, if any; or

(f) in such manner as to obstruct any private or public vehicular entrance to such road.

4) No person shall park a vehicle on the roadway of a public road within an urban area -

(b) within five metres of any intersection unless such parking is permitted by a road traffic sign;

(e) which is less than five and a half metres wide unless the public road concerned is restricted to vehicles moving in one direction and such parking is permitted by appropriate road traffic signs.

Source: http://www.arrivealive.co.za/pages.a...ional#part1_11

not allowed to park on sidewalk (paved pavement). non-paved is legal.
obstruct does not mean impede
can't park nearer the intersection
CAN park in street as it seems wider than 5.5m

no problem

Many years ago I read that it was illegal to park opposite someone's driveway.

always check the source. no provision for this is the national road traffic regulations act

AFAIK there is a law that you may not park in a road less than 9m wide.

5.5m (see above)

I have been told that apparently you mat not park on/near a road facing the oncoming traffic. Apparently is is some law or restriction and as a result your insurance won't cover you if you are facing the wrong way...

Not sure if true.

not in the law

[D3x!]

not allowed to park on sidewalk (paved pavement). non-paved is legal.
obstruct does not mean impede
can't park nearer the intersection
CAN park in street as it seems wider than 5.5m

no problem



always check the source. no provision for this is the national road traffic regulations act



5.5m (see above)



not in the law

sorry dunno where i got 9 m from, gonna measure my road tonight lol

[DJ...]

As legal as it may be, it can be really infuriating having someone half-block your vehicle by parking like that...

[D3x!]

As legal as it may be, it can be really infuriating having someone half-block your vehicle by parking like that...

tell me about it, one day I will be in the wrong frame of mind and beat him or his car to cr@p

[Stefanmuller]

Not sure if it is illegal according to the law, but parking opposite a driveway increases the risk of someone backing into your car. Thus, your insurance company may put the blame on you. I have also heard this that is why I try to avoid parking opposite a driveway.

[Claymore]

Something I found out a little while ago....

I have been told that apparently you mat not park on/near a road facing the oncoming traffic. Apparently is is some law or restriction and as a result your insurance won't cover you if you are facing the wrong way...

Not sure if true.

not in the law

305. Parking of vehicles
4) No person shall park a vehicle on the roadway of a public road within an urban area –
a) within nine metres of the side from which he or she approaches a pedestrian crossing demarcated by appropriate road traffic signs, unless such parking is permitted by appropriate road traffic signs;
b) within five metres of any intersection unless such parking is permitted by a road traffic sign;
c) upon or over the actuating mechanism of a traffic signal;
d)
i) with the outside of any left-hand wheel thereof more than 450 millimetres within the roadway; or

Apart from that, you'll obviously have been driving on the wrong side of the road to have parked on the wrong side.

[droplet]

305. Parking of vehicles
4) No person shall park a vehicle on the roadway of a public road within an urban area –

i) with the outside of any left-hand wheel thereof more than 450 millimetres within the roadway; or

Apart from that, you'll obviously have been driving on the wrong side of the road to have parked on the wrong side.

i stand corrected. didn't notice the "left-hand wheel"

[Ho3n3r]

Unfortunately I am with the guy who complains on this one. If I have to drive around reversing all sides and at all angles just to get out the driveway and my car pointing the way I want to go because of the way someone parked in front of my place, that someone is in the wrong in my opinion. No laws against it, but I think it's called courtesy.

EDIT: If you are like 5 or more meters away from the end of his driveway, he's just being moeilik. A few photos really would be helpful in the situation.

Also depends on the size of his vehicle. What vehicle does he drive?

EDIT 2: Also, where is your GF's house's driveway? And why is it always congested? Seems like a fishy place :P

[iceblue]

So it seems the consensus is that it is legal but inconvenient, exactly as I thought.

So I have a question for all those who are complaining that it irritates them when people park over their driveway (and I admit I do too): Given the info above, where do you propose I park then? My other option is to park directly in front of his house instead (on his side of the road, between the stop street and his driveway - there is just enough space). Do you think he will prefer that?

Unfortunately I am with the guy who complains on this one. If I have to drive around reversing all sides and at all angles just to get out the driveway and my car pointing the way I want to go because of the way someone parked in front of my place, that someone is in the wrong in my opinion. No laws against it, but I think it's called courtesy.

EDIT: If you are like 5 or more meters away from the end of his driveway, he's just being moeilik. A few photos really would be helpful in the situation.

Also depends on the size of his vehicle. What vehicle does he drive?

EDIT 2: Also, where is your GF's house's driveway? And why is it always congested? Seems like a fishy place :P

Courtesy works both ways; if there is nowhere else to park he should be a little more understanding on the maybe 4 occasions per month that myself or one of their other visitors parks there.

Before he had a car he never complained (obviously), then he got a Corsa sedan and suddenly had a fit when I parked there. Then I never heard a word out of him for a few years. Now he has an Isuzu Bakkie and again his tongue is working over time. Bottom line is I don't think he can drive properly (I have watched him reversing).

GF's driveway is around the corner in the other road. The can fit two cars in (including the garage), so that doesn't leave space for visitors cars usually. And we can't park in that road because it's the same situation - opposite two driveways (although the road is wider, but the **** in that road is even worse. I stopped one night after 1 to drop my GF at home. Car was standing in the road, not parked, engine still running and lights on as she was taking something out of the boot. The neighbour comes to me and tells me I must move because if anything happens in the night he wont be able to get out of his driveway! I wasn't even near his driveway)

[iceblue]

Not sure if it is illegal according to the law, but parking opposite a driveway increases the risk of someone backing into your car. Thus, your insurance company may put the blame on you. I have also heard this that is why I try to avoid parking opposite a driveway.

What difference does it make who the insurance decides is at fault? I'm honestly asking because I have never had to claim and as far as I understand your premiums go up regardless of who was at fault.