Parking against traffic flow?

**Timbuk2**

What I mean is if you are looking for a space to parallel park into, and spot one on the right hand side of the road, provided you see a suitable gap in traffic is it legal to reverse parallel park into the space, facing the opposite direction as traffic flow on that side of the road?

I'm away that its probably not wise, given that its difficult to get out, but Im just wondering if it's legal?

Im on my phone at the minute, but I can post up a picture later if this isn't clear.

Thanks.

MascotDec85

It's legal. Just not great practice

Wishbone Ash

AFAIK it's illegal after lighting up hours as your reflectors will be the wrong way around.

sentient_6

I know in New Zealand its illegal! I would love if it was illegal here, it would make things alot easier.

**Timbuk2**

Thanks!

I perused the rules of the road online there (I have the book, but it's at home and I live in Dublin for college) and the only thing I could find in relation to it was "Where possible, you should park in the direction of traffic flow", which doesn't fully answer my question!

I figured that reflectors had something to do with it, so maybe that's a factor!

I made a picture anyway, may as well post it now :P

MascotDec85

The rules of the road state: "Where possible, park in the direction of traffic flow."

A parking light could be used ie turning your indicator stalk to the right or left to make you more visible. If you were parked within a line of parked vehicles your reflectors would be irrelevant.

**Timbuk2**

MascotDec85 wrote: »

A parking light could be used ie turning your indicator stalk to the right or left to make you more visible. If you were parked within a line of parked vehicles your reflectors would be irrelevant.

Do most cars have that feature? I thought that was only in a few types of cars, e.g. Volkswagen. Neither of my parents cars (Nissan or Toyota) have that.

I can turn on both parking lights though, but I'm not sure how long you can leave parking lights on a switched off car without affecting battery - if I'm perfectly honest, I've never used parking lights

MascotDec85

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Do most cars have that feature? I thought that was only in a few types of cars, e.g. Volkswagen. Neither of my parents cars (Nissan or Toyota) have that.

I can turn on both parking lights though, but I'm not sure how long you can leave parking lights on a switched off car without affecting battery - if I'm perfectly honest, I've never used parking lights

I've a 03 Peugeot with that feature. Regardless, I stick by my previous posts. Advisable, no. Illegal, no, not to the best of my knowledge

**Timbuk2**

Ok, thank you!

On my first driving lesson, I'm 96% sure my driving instructor said it was illegal (I think I stopped to let somebody out who was trying to cross two traffic flows!). So that's why I was doubting it a bit.

Thanks again

bigtimecharlie

I see too many "old" folks holding up traffic in country towns wanting to park on the opposite side of the road, right infront of the shop they want to enter. And then the same thing happens when they want to exit the space.

Should be made illegal.

**Timbuk2**

bigtimecharlie wrote: »

I see too many "old" folks holding up traffic in country towns wanting to park on the opposite side of the road, right infront of the shop they want to enter. And then the same thing happens when they want to exit the space.

Should be made illegal.

I agree there. You sure try driving with my mother as a passenger. No parking space is too small or awkward, and it's never too late to say "Park there" even while almost fully past the space! I told her that parking on the opposite side of the road was illegal (which I thought it was, until I started this!) and she said "How could it be? Sure everyone does it" ( I HATE that reasoning!)

Wishbone Ash

MascotDec85 wrote: »

A parking light could be used ie turning your indicator stalk to the right or left to make you more visible

Not that many vehicles have that feature.