Parking Opposite a Driveway

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.
 
ChilliGirl said:
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.
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droplet said:
not in the law
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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.
 
Claymore said:
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.
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i stand corrected. didn't notice the "left-hand wheel"
 
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
 
Last edited:
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? ;)

Ho3n3r said:
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
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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)
 
Stefanmuller said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
Re-igniting this asking for your opinion on how to deal with this situation.

See diagram attached, then see notes below:

  • Neighbour across the road parks their car opposite my driveway and covers about half of it with their car.
  • They have three cars. One on their driveway and two in the street one behind each other.
  • There is a lamp post just outside my driveway restricting my angle of approach.
  • Their parking of their car opposite my driveway impedes me getting into my driveway when I approach from the north due to the angle of approach needed with the lamp pole and width of my driveway. Meaning I need to make a two point turn and adjust the angle.
  • If I reverse out my driveway and want to head north my exit is also impeded meaning I need to make a two point turn.
  • They have been parking like this for the last three years and I have not complained but I am now over it. Was hoping not to ruffle feathers and keep the peace as they live opposite us.
  • Both of the cars that are parked on the street face oncoming traffic and are parked like this.
  • Roadway is about 5m wide with a verge on each side about 1m in width.

As I see it, they can clear their garage out (currently being used for storage) behind their driveway and park one of their three cars in there. Alternately they can park both their smaller cars on the driveway (they have done this before) or simply they can park across their own driveway.

I mentioned to them last week that it is difficult getting in and out of my driveway and with our new baby I am easily distracted by crying whilst driving so there is a risk of me driving into their car. I have also broken my hand so the added turning required is also now exacerbated.

I also requested that they park across their driveway, nothing has changed in a week. Giving me the feeling that they simple do not care.

What are my options now that they have ignored my request that they move?
 

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Hold on, distracted by crying while driving?

Assuming this is not a typo, that is very unsafe and you should not be driving if this a regular occurance. Seek help if needed. Please do not be a danger to yourself and others on the road.
 
There is unfortunately nothing legal and practical you can do beyond what you have already done.
 
If he continues to be a dick, call metro and have them ticket his cars. You cannot park contra flow. The law doesn't explicitly state the parking part but a traffic cop once said, to get the car in that POSITION, you had to have at some point driven CONTRAFLOW which is illegal and the basis of the fine.

However there's also something that says one really shouldn't be reversing out of a drive way and you should be able to turn any direction from a driveway regardless of the parked cars.
 
jezzad said:
Re-igniting this asking for your opinion on how to deal with this situation.

See diagram attached, then see notes below:

  • Neighbour across the road parks their car opposite my driveway and covers about half of it with their car.
  • They have three cars. One on their driveway and two in the street one behind each other.
  • There is a lamp post just outside my driveway restricting my angle of approach.
  • Their parking of their car opposite my driveway impedes me getting into my driveway when I approach from the north due to the angle of approach needed with the lamp pole and width of my driveway. Meaning I need to make a two point turn and adjust the angle.
  • If I reverse out my driveway and want to head north my exit is also impeded meaning I need to make a two point turn.
  • They have been parking like this for the last three years and I have not complained but I am now over it. Was hoping not to ruffle feathers and keep the peace as they live opposite us.
  • Both of the cars that are parked on the street face oncoming traffic and are parked like this.
  • Roadway is about 5m wide with a verge on each side about 1m in width.

As I see it, they can clear their garage out (currently being used for storage) behind their driveway and park one of their three cars in there. Alternately they can park both their smaller cars on the driveway (they have done this before) or simply they can park across their own driveway.

I mentioned to them last week that it is difficult getting in and out of my driveway and with our new baby I am easily distracted by crying whilst driving so there is a risk of me driving into their car. I have also broken my hand so the added turning required is also now exacerbated.

I also requested that they park across their driveway, nothing has changed in a week. Giving me the feeling that they simple do not care.

What are my options now that they have ignored my request that they move?
Click to expand...

Reverse park into your driveway, problem solved.

If your picture is accurate it’s a two lane road, you shouldn’t need to use the other lane to complete basic driving on your side of the street so what they do is irrelevant.
 
jezzad said:
Re-igniting this asking for your opinion on how to deal with this situation.

See diagram attached, then see notes below:

  • Neighbour across the road parks their car opposite my driveway and covers about half of it with their car.
  • They have three cars. One on their driveway and two in the street one behind each other.
  • There is a lamp post just outside my driveway restricting my angle of approach.
  • Their parking of their car opposite my driveway impedes me getting into my driveway when I approach from the north due to the angle of approach needed with the lamp pole and width of my driveway. Meaning I need to make a two point turn and adjust the angle.
  • If I reverse out my driveway and want to head north my exit is also impeded meaning I need to make a two point turn.
  • They have been parking like this for the last three years and I have not complained but I am now over it. Was hoping not to ruffle feathers and keep the peace as they live opposite us.
  • Both of the cars that are parked on the street face oncoming traffic and are parked like this.
  • Roadway is about 5m wide with a verge on each side about 1m in width.

As I see it, they can clear their garage out (currently being used for storage) behind their driveway and park one of their three cars in there. Alternately they can park both their smaller cars on the driveway (they have done this before) or simply they can park across their own driveway.

I mentioned to them last week that it is difficult getting in and out of my driveway and with our new baby I am easily distracted by crying whilst driving so there is a risk of me driving into their car. I have also broken my hand so the added turning required is also now exacerbated.

I also requested that they park across their driveway, nothing has changed in a week. Giving me the feeling that they simple do not care.

What are my options now that they have ignored my request that they move?
Click to expand...
Can't you pay someone to liberate the 2 in the street?
 
Reminds me of our street.
I live further down the road but the idiot's "work" is causing everyone in the street grief.

When coming in to the street he has cars parked on the bend of the road. The problem is cars going or coming can't see each other.

If there are any collisions, the car coming in will be blamed as they have to go halfway in the other road to get passed the parked cars. Note where the parked cars are. You can't see cars coming.

1704360564095.png
 
SauRoNZA said:
Reverse park into your driveway, problem solved.

If your picture is accurate it’s a two lane road, you shouldn’t need to use the other lane to complete basic driving on your side of the street so what they do is irrelevant.
Click to expand...
Yes this is what I have been doing, but with the new family addition it’s no longer an option as it means the car seat is on the wrong side.

My driveway is narrow so I need the other side of the road to line up properly.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Reverse park into your driveway, problem solved.

If your picture is accurate it’s a two lane road, you shouldn’t need to use the other lane to complete basic driving on your side of the street so what they do is irrelevant.
Click to expand...
He should just post a google maps screenshot with the satellite layer on so we can see accurately
 
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