With the dark winter nights, parking cars safely is especially important. But have you remembered the Highway Code rules that you MUST obey when parking your vehicle?
The Highway Code includes several rules relating to parking but Rules 248 and 249 are particularly relevant. They relate to the direction you must park at night and when you must use your parking lights.
“Musts” and “must nots” in the Highway Code are legal requirements, and if you disobey these rules you are committing a criminal offence. You may be fined, given penalty points on your licence or be disqualified from driving. In the most serious cases you may be sent to prison. In addition, these rules include an abbreviated reference to the legislation which creates the offence – if you are using an online version of the Highway Code, this is usually a link to the full details.
Rules 248 and 249 are repeated below, but why not take five minutes out to review all the related rules online at www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code?
Happy driving!
Rule 248
You MUST NOT park on a road at night facing against the direction of the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space.
Laws CUR reg 101 & RVLR reg 24
Rule 249
All vehicles MUST display parking lights when parked on a road or a lay-by on a road with a speed limit greater than 30 mph (48 km/h).
Law RVLR reg 24