Is it illegal to park on the wrong side of the road at night? Plus hefty fines for ignoring Highway Code rule
DRIVERS must always be up to speed on the latest traffic and highway regulations to avoid being handed a hefty fine.
Here is everything you need to find out if parking on the wrong side of the road can get you in trouble.
Is it illegal to park on the wrong side of the road at night?
According to the UK Highway Code, you should not park your car on the wrong side of the road at night.
Drivers must park on the left-hand side of the road, facing in the direction of traffic flow at night.
This not well-known regulation is covered under Rule 248 of the Highway Code in the UK.
The rule states: “You MUST NOT park on a road at night facing against the direction of the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space.”
This is primarily for safety reasons, as parking against the flow of traffic at night can make your vehicle less visible to other road users, increasing the risk of accidents.
The prohibition applies unless you are parking in a designated parking space that is clearly marked and intended for such use.
All roads, including residential streets, parking lots, and private driveways that have access to a public road fall under Rule 248.
What is the fine for parking on the wrong side of the road at night?
The fines associated with flouting this bizarre rule can be hefty.
Drivers caught parking in the wrong direction at night could be fined up to £1,000, depending on the severity of the offence.
In some cases, motorists can also receive penalty points on their licence, which can have a serious impact on their insurance premiums.
Goods vehicles or passengers vehicles with more than eight seats can see their fine go up to a whopping £2,500.
Is it illegal to park on the wrong side of the road during the day?
During the day, motorists should not have any problems when parking on the wrong side of the road.
That is because during the day all drivers should have clear visibility of the road and any parked vehicles, reducing any risks of accidents.
But as soon as it goes dark drivers risk being fined for breaking the rules.
Is it illegal to drive the wrong way on a one way road?
If you accidentally enter a one-way street going in the wrong direction, you should NOT reverse back out.
An investigation by The Sun found motorists could potentially face a hefty penalty for simply driving backwards on residential streets.
Drivers could be hit with a careless driving charge, which carries a £100 on-the-spot fine and three penalty points.
The Highway Code states that “you must not reverse your vehicle further than necessary”, which is also backed up in the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.
So if a police officer sees you and decides reversing out of the street could be reckless or potentially dangerous to your passengers, pedestrians or other road users, you could face a penalty.
If you continue driving in the wrong direction, you could also be fined for either failing to comply with a traffic sign or careless driving.
Instead, the best option is to pull over and wait for a safe time to turn around.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said: “We all take a wrong turn on occasion, but one of the worst ones to make is where you head in the wrong direction of a one-way street.
“Should a police officer witness you enter the one-way street incorrectly, you could be hit with a careless driving charge.
“However, they may exercise some leniency and decide that the embarrassment caused is punishment enough.”