Driver warning as little-known parking rule means motorists risk a fine of up to £2,500 and a possible driving ban
DRIVERS have been warned about a little-known parking rule that means motorists risk a fine of up to £2,500 – and a possible driving ban.
If you’ve made a trip after it’s gotten dark, the Highway Code has some strict rules about how to park your car.
Rule 248 of the code reads: “You must not park on the road at night facing against the direction of the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space.”
The maximum fine for such a breach of the code is usually £1,000, but police do have the power to send certain incidents to court if they are deemed serious enough.
In some cases, the fine could be increased to £2,500, while a driving ban is also possible.
The Highway Code adds: “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.”
Shockingly, most drivers don’t know where their parking lights can be found.
A spokesperson from RAC told Somerset Live: “Almost all light switches in modern cars are either mounted on the dashboard, to the right-hand side of the steering wheel, or on the end of the indicator stalk.
“Your parking lights can be switched on and off by rotating the dial into the correct position.
“There will be a position for sidelights, headlights and usually a separate button or switch to activate your fog lights.
“Although not standard, some vehicle models allow the driver to incorporate the use of their indicator when leaving on their parking lights.
“So if the indicator is left in the downward position when the engine is turned off, the sidelights will automatically show up only on the left-hand side of the car.”