The Highway Code’s guidance on parking at night carries a warning for motorists who do not follow the rules
Motorists are being warned they could face fines of up to £2,500 for breaking a specific parking rule at night. Parking on a busy road can be hazardous at any time, but the risks increase after dark.
That can lead to a higher likelihood of serious accidents. According to Rule 248 of the Highway Code, vehicles should never be parked on a road at night facing against the flow of traffic unless in a recognised parking space.
The rationale behind this rule is that parking in this manner can significantly raise the chances of an accident occurring at night due to reduced lighting conditions and limited visibility for drivers travelling on the side of the road where the vehicle is parked. It’s worth noting that this rule doesn’t apply to cars parked on the same side as the flow of traffic, as these vehicles will be more visible due to headlights illuminating their rear reflectors – something not present on the front of vehicles.
Typically, motorists caught parking on the wrong side of the road at night can be hit with a standard £1,000 fine. However, in some instances, the driver could be taken to court and ordered to pay up to £2,500.
The Highway Code also outlines other general parking rules which could help motorists avoid accidents. These include paying attention to the following if you need to stop at the side of a road: