@@HoratioChinn there are enough out there who don't want the plebs to be allowed cars.. more likely this is just a frustrated idiot with a warrant card , a bad combination. as Ashley notes, Police need to do better, I would say they need to be setting an example have seen quite a few police vehicles: - undertaking (see recent videos on this) - parking on blind corners or other stupid places - cutting across multiple lanes on motorways - in excess of the speed limits without blue lights - ignoring traffic lights, especially at pedestrian crossings in a way that would make you think they were cyclists - poor lane discipline worth noting these are usually not the specialised road plod vehicles, just the more general local patrol vehicles
had this in Hampshire. Parked up because i had a phone call. Engine off, key in the cup holder. Cop came over, first saying i cant stop where i did. Politely asked why and told him, im not on double yellow lines. Theres no signs saying no parking or anything. "Look, im a cop yeah, not you. I know the highway code, you cant park there. Also you're on the phone while driving." Again, keys not in the ignition, politely informed him as such and asked for his badge number and name. I put in a official complaint and appealed the fine. And it was a surprise, that i WON the appeal. They got his chest cam footage from the incident which confirmed everything I said.
And what does said Cop think we have to learn to pass our driving tests ? Oh yes, that would be The Highway Code !!!! So, yes we do know it, don't speak down to people because you wear a bloody uniform. you are only there to enforce laws, not make them up.
just tell them you're not accepting the fine, don't give them your details as you've done nothing worng. if he arrests you, and takes you down the station, he will get done, you will get your day in court and his shit will be exposed. It's worth it to stop these jack boot arseholes getting put in their place AND a permanent mark on their record.
@@WiIza_ Stop and account - no. Anti social behaviour - yes. Stop and search - only if they tell you they believed you committed an offence. During arrest - no. I don't think the original comment applies to any of these so details not necessarily lawfully required.
2:37 "You're blocking my lane." Apparently they've stopped teaching police drivers how to negotiate parked vehicles - the bus didn't seem to have any issue 🤦 Also on the grass removed... that'll be down to years of non maintenance and vehicles driving over it causing ruts etc.
Looking at a street view of the area, the grass being removed looks more deliberate and a good idea for drivers to not park with two wheels on the kerb. It looks like it should be used as a small pavement to then find a larger cutting in the grass to reach the main pavement Unfortunately many drivers have to feel the bump of wheels on the pavement otherwise they aren’t close enough to the kerb to be parked
You've nailed it. Yes this is a borderline spot, but it's a straight section and plenty of large vehicles passed him whilst stopped. Police Officer's parting comment applied to himself more than to your viewer.
He drove off because he knew he was in the wrong. And it wasn't really 'his lane' anyway, it's a public highway, he doesn't have exclusive use of it. He was perhaps very slightly delayed, maybe had to wait for oncoming traffic to pass, and didn't like it, thought his uniform gave him privileges. He certainly didn't earn any respect from the public.
Scary that the police officer on a number of occasions failed to answer the question, instead asking a question of his own. Disrespectful. It was very clear that the police officer didn't actually know whether it was an offence to park on the kerb/verge!
@@damedusa5107 Yea, only legal in London where signs tell you to. Used to live there and our house was on a road so narrow had to park on the kerbs on both sides for cars to get up and down it.
@@damedusa5107 it's illegal to drive onto the pavement anywhere in the UK; how else would you park on the kerb? (there's a pavement in front of where the driver stopped)
@@tomsixsix it’s actually not. That’s the Highway Code. But not the road traffic act, which mentions the Highway Code. I’ve just explained this. The Highway Code is guidance, with in it are actual laws from the road traffic act, but not every thing in it are actual laws. Look it up yourself. There’s a difference. Section below from the road traffic act failure on the part of a person to observe a provision of the Highway Code shall not of itself render that person liable to criminal proceedings of any kind but any such failure may in any proceedings (whether civil or criminal, and including proceedings for an offence under the Traffic Acts, the M1Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 or sections 18 to 23 of the M2Transport Act 1985) The act is the actual law, not the actual Highway code. Legislation matters.
@@jackmackenzie6721 As someone whom onl cycles (last 7 years), the enthusiast cyclist community tend to out the worst forces in terms of acting on shit driving, actual interactions, how their attitude is to a number of connected roadscape issues. I think Manchester were high up the list, MET were the worst by a distance. Literally corrupt to the core. The taffy's weren't too clever either. Never heard much if anything about Merseyside police tbh and I've been on the forums for over 20 years.
Great video again. Surely the correct request from the officer should have been, "Sir, could I ask you to move along a little further down the road to free up the space between these two bus stops, you are not causing an offence but it would be safer for you, other road users and possibly bus passengers. Thank you for your cooperation" Politeness and common decency is not difficult, but some people find it so hard to grasp, particularly when they are given a little too much power for them to handle.
Policing is by consent if it is to work. With manners like this consent and cooperation is eroded even from naturally law abiding people. Parking on the curb is dreadful nuisance for those on mobility carts or wheel-chairs and for parents with a baby buggy. It should not be encouraged in my view.
100% mate, I wrote a comment 2 mins after yours about how many people near where I live completely block the footpath forcing us, our 15 month old in the pram and our dog onto the road... that being said I also don't agree that you should have to park 4 wheels on the road all the time either especially in narrow roads, it shouldn't be difficult to park in a safe manner that keeps the road and footpath clear if a bit of common sense is used
There's a difference between parking on the curb and parking on the sidewalk. The road that Ashley was talking about had grass between the curb and the sidewalk. I doubt anyone with a stroller is walking across the grass when there's a sidewalk right next to it. However I agree that parking in a manner that restricts the width of the sidewalk is... I don't even know how to put it without using insults.
Indeed, up the road from where I used to live, the council had to fence off a load of grass verges that the locals used to park on (despite having drives) because they got so rucked up.
They only have the power to put you in a cell if you're committing an offence. Officers such as this one rely on people's ignorance of the law and police powers. As soon as it becomes clear you know what you're talking about, they either back down or turn the situation into something ridiculous. (I'm not police-bashing, there are plenty of decent officers, but a minority let the side down).
If the officer's comments were correct, then anyone parking on a narrow lane could be guilty of "blocking a lane". As long as you leave plenty of space to allow throughfare, there should be no issue.
@@mattwardman I think you will find that in this case as there is easy accsess past the case will be dismissed if it went to court as the partial obstruction you talk about must/could make it difficult.
@@mattwardmanI work on the roads and as such I hold a current and valid nrswa qualification. It is required by law and teaches you the laws on signage, lighting and guarding as part of that qualification. We are taught that you can block a lane as long as you leave at least 2.5 metres for cars or if it’s a bus route it has to be at least 3 metres. I don’t see why it would be any different for a car parking there to my van and cones being there. You can also park on double yellows if loading. The only time you can’t park for loading is if the yellow lines continue up onto the kurb, so where you see the lines going along the road as normal but also the yellow lines are sprayed up and over the kurb onto the footpath at regular intervals. A bus passed this man therefore the distance left must have been more than 3 metres plus there wasn’t even any yellow lines at all so there are no parking restrictions in place. Basically what this person did was completely and utterly lawful. Bumping onto a kurb is unlawful and could be considered as blocking a footpath, besides that it’s destroying the footpaths and creating trip hazards as 6mm tar which is what’s used on footpaths aren’t meant for that weight plus it’s only 60mm thick unlike the roads which are at least 100mm thick and at least 10mm stone used in the tar. The copper was 100% in the wrong and literally asking the driver to commit an offence
The problem is that police officers often forget to speak to us like human beings. Their interactions with the public are almost always authoritative. He could have simply said, 'Alright, mate, you don't have to do this, but would you mind just moving up a little bit and park near the kerb there? It'll help the traffic flow just a tiny bit.' There's no dignity and respect given whatsoever.
Parking half on the pavement should be completely illegal, as it is in London and a few other places. We need to reclaim pavements for pedestrians, who are frequently forced into the road - particularly wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
I live on a narrow street with terrace houses on both sides. The road is about 1.5 car widths wide. It is a cul-de-sac. The surrounding streets are all just as narrow. If we didn't all park half up on the pavement nobody would be able to get in or out. The pavement is actually wide enough that you can easily have 2 people walking next to each other past the parked cars. It would seem sensible to move the kerb to widen the road but the local council response is to just pull up onto the pavement 🤷
@@MrAceyJayif the default position in law was changed councils could still designate (with a TRO) parts of the highway including a section of footway if deemed necessary after undertaking an Equalities Impact Assessment to allow people to park with 2 wheels on the footway and sign it as such.
Nope, he just realised a request to move the car would not be heeded and he couldn't be arsed making it an arrest, so he stopped blocking traffic flow. No winners there.
@@nyeainsbar2793 Considering I'm outnumbered 100 to 1 in arguing against Ashley's assertions here, do you genuinely think I'd have an issue questioning authority? Despite the police officer's poor communication I agree the parker should have moved his car, rather than argued about it being legal to make a nuisance of himself.
Im suprised, amazed and astonished watching this video. 132.9p a litre! ;). Seriously through, this police officer was upset because he had to wait for 15 seconds so decided to spend another minute admonishing the cammer while stopped in the middle of the road, blocking the road. This was an ego chat
Just ahead of the police van did you not notice the confused driver pulling up, then realising the vehicle is parked and moving out? Poor driving but it happens again just as the police van left. The police office therefore did have a point as the cammer was causing an obstruction that led to confusion, delay and potential danger. Daft and inconsiderate parking. The police officer shouldn't have opened with a suggestion to move to the kerb though. Could've just asked him to move. Facing oncoming traffic it seems and obstructing a lane on a busy road is reason enough.
He wasn't facing oncoming traffic, he was on the correct side of the road. Police totally in the wrong, needs more driver training, I suggest Ashley to help him and probably the rest of the force too😂@@nivelan
@@nivelan there was no obstruction, you don't understad what that means in the context of motorvehicle drivers, pedal cyclists or pedestrians on the highway.
Car-brain at its worst when it permeates those in a position of authority. Too many vehicles blocking the pavement and inconveniencing pedestrians, instead of staying on the road.
The Netherlands is much more civilised and well kept than the UK - you also use different colour bricks to denote parking areas, you have clear rules about which roads us cyclists can and can't use (and nearly always provide an off road path if we can't use the road), and you still employ municipal staff who keep verges and bushes well maintained. We're like a third world country compared to NL!
Saw Lancashire Police park car half on road, half on pavement whilst I was out walking the other day. Highway code still says in Rule 145 : "You MUST NOT drive on or over a pavement, footpath or bridleway except to gain lawful access to property, or in the case of an emergency." NB: If you are parked on a pavement, you must have driven on it.
@@mattc140 Had this one the other day and you have stated the correct rule (244) as most read the 145 rule and think that is the correct rule when it is there to stop using the path as an alternative route to acsess property etc.
This is why have a great big floor jack, traffic cones, hi-viz and a right hand man. Just so I can shift my car onto the kerb legally (outside London) and comply with rule 145.
This isn’t the gotcha you think it is. The Highway Code is a set of instructions on how to drive. But it’s not laws. What it does have is actual laws and legislation that mirror most the highways codes rules, but not all of the rules are backed with actual laws. Like parking on pavements. It’s actually legal in the uk. London has a specific law to ban parking on pavements, but it’s not relevant outside of London.
@@damedusa5107 The highway code specifically mentions law every time in all caps it says "MUST NOT" instead of "should not". There is a reference to the statutes every time (some as far back as the middle ages)
I wish I took a picture now, but passed 2 police vans in Canary Wharf yesterday, stopped over the ped crossing, officers in each nattering away, blocking both lanes whilst the traffic was building up behind. One rule for one…
Had an interesting interaction with Merseyside Police during one of my early lessons. I was in the right hand lane (turning right at the next junction) and there was a car next to me in the left when I noticed blue lights in the mirror. Given the left lane was blocked, I followed my instructors direction and indicated right before coming to a stop, leaving the other car to continue on and opening space in the left lane, which the officer promptly used to pull up alongside us and have a go at me because I didn't pull over to the left. Can't imagine what kind of emergency is urgent enough to warrant lights and sirens, while still being less important than stopping to reprimand a learner.
"Blocking my lane"? Surely that applies to every car parked on a road only wide enough for 2 cars? Pull up the kerb, although the kerb is low it's still a hazard for many vehicles with low profile tyres. Maybe the police need to contact the council and get them to install proper parking bays with smooth even kerbstones.
I'm currently 3 minutes in - up to the point where the viewer's clip ends; the irony of it for me, as I've noticed others have unsurprisingly mentioned, is that the police officer took it upon himself to block the whole remaining portion of road to tell somebody else they were blocking part of it. Surely he could've pulled up behind/in front and got out? I must say that at first viewing the viewer's responses were very well considered and absolutely spot on. "No it's not, but it's an offence to block the road." Cor blimey.
So, having watched the rest, I have to agree with Ashley's analysis of it. The officer's request was on no grounds like Ash said, but like he also mentioned he was potentially trying to get across the message that it perhaps wasn't the most ideal legal place to park, but definitely went about it wrongly. Without being too harsh overall, maybe he just made a mistake and put his point across in an unsuccessful way.
The driver was not blocking the road since he was passed by numerous cars and a police van! To park on the wet grass verge would damage it plus the vehicle could get stuck. parking partially on the verge would not have increased the flow of vehicles. The policeman was wrong in demanding that the driver move but it would have been reasonable for the policeman to request the driver to seek an alternative parking place to aid traffic flow.
@@ChrisCaaa There might have been a bit of belligerence but the policeman was being slightly officious as well. This is all really a spat between two motorists. The road was not that busy for the parking to cause a significant obstruction. You could say the the parked car actually contributed to the safety in that it presented a version of a traffic calming chicane, where drivers notably slowed to deal with it.
@@ChrisCaaa I dunno the circumstances around it for the viewer but personally I would avoid causing traffic flow to be reduced to one lane around me if possible and not a fan of when other people do it as far too often there are better options which wouldn't cause any inconvenience other than the person parking having to maybe walk a few seconds longer, etc. I think the main issue here really is the policeman's people skills as I don't think it unreasonable for them to ask the driver to find somewhere better to park but their approach and ability to respond when challenged was poor.
Just once have I had a "discussion" with a police officer who was, in effect, asking me to break the law. He didnt seem happy that I refused. Given that I wasnt breaking any law at the time there wasnt any way I was gong to do as he was asking. (honestly, 40 years ago, I thought he might be trying to trap me). It strikes me this is the same situation. If it went to court, I cant see it ending very well for the police officer concerned.
There’s a huge difference between grass verge and pavement - whatever the law says. Parking on or partly on a pavement, which is VERY common - and on many streets unavoidable - can obstruct blind people, people in wheelchairs, people pushing pushchairs or trailing children and can create great risk by forcing pedestrians onto the road. On many residential roads its the only way to park without obstructing the traffic. This is a problem.
Completely agree and there's also the problem of damage to the footpath and underground services because they are not built to support the weight of vehicles. With a little thought for others, these lazy people could park sensibly and legally but might have to walk a few yards but that seems completely alien to them and sod everyone else☹️
@ partly. This is sometimes true. In my area there are many roads where there is no parking at all and the road is too narrow for two-way and sometimes one-way traffic without pavement parking. There are solutions involving making roads one-way but the council wont look at them. On my street every house has a drive for one car and when I moved here that worked. But now, 25 years later, many houses have grown up children so each house has two or three cars. Its passable if people park on the road but almost all of them park half on the pavement forcing peds onto the road. Many of the parkers are teenagers (who are not generally well-known for being considerate). One way wouldnt work on my road as its a cul de sac. If I say anything to my neighbours about it it will create bad feeling - not a good thing between neighbours. This is definitely where your point applies.
@@josephfredbill Unfortunately in most places it's a free-for-all and with the numbers of vehicles each family now has it has become an epidemic. Councils could do an awful lot more as you say with one-way streets etc. Also new estates are being built with narrow roads, insufficient parking spaces, tiny garages and drives so the developers can maximise profits. It causes chaos and vehicles are abandoned everywhere. Heaven knows how a fire engine would get through if it needed to.
My main concern with cars parking on the kerb/pavement is where they block the pavement for pedestrians, particularly disabled and parents with children. This was not the case here, though regular parking on the grass verge is likely to damage it. This wasn't a particular busy road, creating a pinch point wasn't going to affect flow substantially so really no issues and the police officer should just have driven passed. Ideally another spot may have been better but we don't know the reason the driver parked there so won't speculate on that.
It felt like the police officer was approaching it as if he was just some guy (saying the guy should move, then leaving without enforcing it), but I don't think that's acceptable whenever you're in uniform / a police vehicle. There is an implication that you are being given a police order, but really no more authority was there than if any of the other drivers had stopped and told you off (incorrectly) for your parking.
I think the situation wasn't helped by the car in front of the police van not paying attention and realising the cammer was parked, hence pulling in behind. This would have given the appearance of 'blocking traffic'?
It's difficult to tell how close the cammer was parked to the kerb. If they were miles away then that might confuse the driver behind and could have riled the policeman.
1 point to make. If you park on/ over the kerb, and you are seen to have parked on/ over the kerb, and that kerb is "damaged" - then you can be charged for the replacement of that kerbstone (usually over £1000). This may sound reasonable enough, BUT, as they only ever have to prove you were parked in that spot (and was on or must have driven over the kerb) courts up and down the country almost always find against the driver and in favour of the council if the driver ever does fight it in court. This tends to be a much bigger issue for lorry drivers, which are prosecuted at a much higher rate than car drivers for this - but it isn't because the vehicle might be heavier/ do more damage, it's because the burden of proof for professional drivers are lower and they are held to a higher standard. I've seen many lorry drivers, some bus drivers, and many car drivers charged for this - and this is why I will never park on/ over the kerb... I'd probably park 100 yards further on and walk.
It's quite common in less busy areas, where buses are infrequent - there's a bus stop sign and the bus just stops in the running lane much like the viewer's car. Sometimes you're lucky and get a bench to sit on too.
The conversation from the cop should literally have been "can you move up to where there are less parked cars, please?" That's it, nothing more. Even without that, he's telling the driver to potentially damage his wheels by bouncing up a kerb (I have no idea how low-profile the tyres are), which is a bit of a dick move. Finally, the only one who actually blocked the road, was the police - and they did so without the blues on - if they were officially engaging with a motorist, they should have parked, got out, and spoken to them.
In Australia, it is illegal to park on the curb or footpath. In situations where the road is narrow, there is either no parking signs on one side of the road, or no parking at all. We also have to park in the direction of the road, you can’t cross the road to park on the ‘right’.
Parking in this particular street seemed well organised and disciplined; all on one side and (practically) none on the other. Given that the council considers the street prone to obstruction there is a simple time honoured and cost effective solution. It involves no more than a can or two of yellow paint.
Police agree that parking on the kerb is illegal, proceeds to then ask him again to park on the curb, thus committing an offence, police then deny that they have instructed the driver to commit an offence, then demands the driver park on the kerb, thus committing an offence. All whilst the police themselves obstruct the kings highway, the very thing they claim the driver was doing. Incredible... It's like a monty python sketch, the level of incompetence shown by the officer here is a disgrace.
I had a similar run in with a police officer at Warrington Bank Quay car park, I stopped to pick up my son from the drop off/pick up point that was empty. A car came and stopped waiting to my right blocking the lane, then another car behind him and then a few more. The Road is marked with the areas you can wait which I was in. An officer got out the van and told me to move as I was blocking traffic, they would not have it that all the other vehicles had stopped in the wrong place and I was told move "or else", so I had to leave the car park and drive all the way around and back into the waiting area in the wrong place. Mental that the office just wouldn't look or accept they were in the wrong.
The police officer was clearly wrong and was probably having a bad day. I would have passed the footage onto the police in hope they would have given this copper some education!
A lot of streets in the Hillsborough area of Sheffield (and other areas) aren't wide enough for cars to park on both sides. This results in cars parked up on the pavement on both sides, so an emergency vehicle could get through the middle, but in many situations the pavement is blocked for wheelchair access. There's no real answer for this problem... you could put double yellows down one side but that would just push those cars into other streets and create an even bigger parking problem.
Although it’s legal to park there. It doesn’t half my grind gears when everyone is parked on one specific side of the road. Then someone comes along and parks on the other side because they live on that side. Effectively turning a 2 way road into a 1 way road out of selfishness snd laziness
I used to live on a road which had cars parked either side which naturally forced motorists to slow down. The council proposed putting in a one way street with a contraflow cycle lane as a "cycling safety improvement". At the consultation session I pointed out that the one way street idea was stupid as it would turn a self policing 20 in a 30 zone into a one way 30mph plus thrash fest. Thankfully the idea was dropped.
@@rav8881 My brother got a parking ticket for doing that in Middlesex. His house was on the other side of the road from a school. I think he copied what I had done the previous day (and didn't get a ticket).
It's also highly unprofessional and rude for the police officer to engage with a member of the public by calling him 'mate'. Standards it seems,have all gone to hell in a handcart.
I don't understand what the difference parking on the kerb would have even made! If you pause the video at 1:21 you can see that there is no way that 2 cars would have been able to pass at the point where a car is parked even if it was on the kerb - unless the whole car was on the pavement, which would definitely have been an offence, blocking pedestrian access to the bus stop.
Years ago I knew a traffic police officer. He always used to say the highway was for the purpose of passing and repassing without let or hindrance. By his definition anything left on the highway prevented this from happening and could constitute obstruction of the highway.
I think the issue was caused by the VW in front of the police van. They misread the situation and queued behind the cam car (I can't tell you how often I see this on lessons when following cars can't read the situation). If they had overtaken like everyone ahead of them, I'd put money on the fact that the police would have just continued.
Parking there, particularly when there is plenty of space on the other side of the road, is inconsiderate to traffic delayed by the need to wait for oncoming vehicles to clear.
Firstly, this just shows how normalised it is to park on the pavement/kerb, even if parking on the kerb wouldn’t really help traffic flow any better. I think many people think that’s just how you’re supposed to park. Given his attitude, I highly doubt this officer would have a chat with someone parked fully blocking the pavement; as long as it’s not causing minor inconvenience to him in his van, it’s all fine (and this reflects the attitude of a significant portion of society as a whole). It’s illegal to drive on a pavement, so I wouldn’t pull up on the bus stop area, but it’s probably legally ok to park on the verge unless the council has banned it. But I wouldn’t do it if possible, because it ruins the verge. Obstruction is also subjective, but I think almost anyone would agree this driver wasn’t causing a significant obstruction. If he was parked like that on a busy main road causing tailbacks, then sure, it’s obstruction, but not on this road.
If the car in front of the police van had been paying attention,the car was parked and they could/should have passed it,thus not holding up the police van for 7 seconds and not creating an incident.
So many times I've seen cars parked with most of the car up on the pavement, which leaves the road clear, but very little if any room for pedestrians, and especially mobility scooter users, to pass. 😠
There are roads close to me where I have to walk in the road because the cars take up the entire pavement, even though there is plenty of space to park on the road (similar to this clip). Occasionally I'll get an angry driver giving me abuse, saying I shouldn't be walking in the road. I just calmly tell them that the drivers of the parked cars clearly disagree with them.
I am just trying to imagine Ash on the phone after he stopped recording; was he a complete, moody teenager: “Mum, why are you calling me while I'm talking to my viewings on UA-cam? God, you are so embarrassing!” 😉
As a general rule of thumb, I am in the "Pavements are for people" camp but a verge is not a pavement. On the other hand, if there is no pavement I would be reluctant to block a verge if it meant pedestrians had to step into the road to pass my car. There is, though, another question - "who owns the land at the side of the road?" Putting your car on it without the owner's permission would be trespass.
Traffic was flowing freely until the police parked in the middle of the road. Nothing was said about the VW driver who stopped behind the cam car for no reason.
Just a point to consider. The view at 3:10 of the bus stop in front. If a bus were to stop to pick up or drop off it would likely be blocking the road while it does so due to the angles involved and the length of the vehicle. The driver may be able to get their bus parallel with the kerb but I suspect they wouldn't as there is a risk of hitting the bus stop pole with their mirror. Having said that, any delay would likely be >2 mins maximum
The council can only issue fines for parking on verges and footways if they have a valid Traffic Regulation Order and correct signage to say it is banned (either a regular series of yellow signs with the no waiting symbols and explanatory text or zonal signal with pictogram of a car parked with two wheels up on the kerb in a red circle). Otherwise the council is powerless to deal with a parking issue.
Ashley i can’t believe they asked the cammer to park on the kerb? If that road is a problem then the council would have put double yellow lines in that area if a bus can get past a transit van shouldn’t have a problem he blocked the road complete himself geez 🙄
1:33 - You could get a bus through there. 🤣 Doesn't look that blocked to me. I think Ashley is right, the officer had gone into "must win the argument" mode, and was just saying whatever he thought would help him do that. Not acceptable. Must do better.
It’s a case of over crowded narrow roads and little availability for safe parking. Perhaps the police officer was advocating either park on the kerb or park with the majority of cars on the right. In any event their comments were not helpful or constructive. Motorists are faced with a multitude of driving issues including poor road markings and parking problems. This event was nothing more than a person with authority and responsibility trying to harass someone who had impeded….only slightly…..their entitlement to “own the road”
I once got a ticket for parking on the curb, all other cars were parked the same, but I failed to notice a sign beyond which curb parking was not allowed, only few feet but I paid for it dearly, still annoys me to be honest.
I got a ticket years ago for parking an outfit on the pavement, it was about 15’ wide where I parked and I wasn’t impeding anything. Mumble grumble. That was 1982
Can’t stand parking on paths. I can understand 2 wheels if it helps traffic flow but anything that impedes or obstructs pedestrians should be dealt with via a hefty fine or removal in my opinion. Just because you own a car doesn’t give you the right to plonk it anywhere you like. And coppers are worryingly dim, belligerent or bully’s. I’ve seen a copper berate a motorcyclist for attempting a legal and safe filtering manoeuvre and another pulling out on a cyclist and then went to harass them because the cyclist shouted at him. Not much faith in their skills or abilities to be honest.
Hi Ashley, as you say local councils now control parking on the footpath. However under the Road Traffic Act 1988 Section 34(1) it is an offence to drive on the footpath! So you commit an offence in theory whilst you park.
I was not impressed with the copper's manner. Because of the bus stops I would not have stopped there unless it was absolutely necessary, eg. to load a disabled passenger (and in fact, the mud and puddles would have precluded that anyway). That being said, the road was not blocked by the viewer's car. If a fire engine can get through without difficulty, I certainly would not want to be told to park on the verge/kerb unnecessarily, even by a police officer - see my opening comment. I avoid parking on the verge/kerb wherever possible because of the damage it does, as can clearly be seen in the introduction where Ash is pulling up. Obviously, there are times when it is unavoidable.
Hi Ashley, thank you for reading my comments and thank you for giving out the correct information on your previous video with regards to red traffic lights, I really appreciate that, rule 244 - ‘you MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London, and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it’, rule 242 - ‘you MUST NOT leave your vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road’, rule 145 - ‘you MUST NOT drive on or over a pavement, footpath or bridleway except to gain lawful access to property, or in the case of an emergency’, vehicles are not allowed to drive across pavements unless there is a properly built crossover, also known as a dropped kerb or vehicle crossing, it is illegal to drive across a pavement without a crossover, even to access a private driveway, give way to pedestrians if you need to drive over a dropped kerb to access a driveway, pavements are for pedestrians so motor vehicles should keep off of them, unless crossing a dropped kerb to access a driveway, encouraging the driver to park on a place that is for pedestrians, that’s very poor policing in my opinion.
Yes, I think that this could have come under 242 'where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road', it would require the officer to much better state his case, rather than just ask. With the two bus stops the 'unnecessary obstruction' bit could be argued easily, and it would be the drivers views vs the cop in court, and I don't think the driver would win.
UK has so many weird rules. As discussed in other Ashley videos one is not allowed to move over to an empty bus lane to give way to an ambulance with a dying patient or a fire truck on the way to save a family's house. But as seen in this video, parking on a bus stop is all good.
If he was parked up on the curb, I'm sure another officer would have told him the opposite. The issue is the copper doesn't know the law or wasn't aware of it. This really sums up why some police officers are seen blatantly breaking the law regularly.
Parking on the pavement may only be a specific offence in London And Scotland (unfortunately). What I would like to know is how anyone can pull up on the kerb without breaking Highway Code rule 145. “You MUST NOT drive on or over a pavement, footpath or bridleway except to gain lawful access to property, or in the case of an emergency.” As this is a MUST NOT it is on offence.
Provided the car is put there by a crane, pushed there, or arrrives by levitation, at no time is it driven on the pavement and no driving offence has been committed. Seriously though, it's always confused me, too. I look forward to when pavement parking is banned nationwide except where explicitly permitted.
As if we needed any more confirmation that parking on the pavement has become normalised in many people's minds, and that we're a massively car-centric society.
Part of the problem on that street looks like people take the typical view that they're entitled to park outside their house, regardless of bus stops yellow lines or anything else.
Local by-laws might apply - in the city where I live, parking on pavements or verges in banned within the city limits. Of course, most people do it and nobody enforces it!
Policing standards in Shrewsbury are not the best. I see many police drivers committing driving offences and generally driving poorly. Recently saw one close pass a cyclist to overtake on the entrance to a small roundabout. Had one overtake my learner and me while we were waiting for traffic to clear at a meeting point. Had one emerge from a side road on the right without looking and slow us almost to a stop. Recently had to brake hard because one was overtaking on a bend. Got forced into a bike box and almost through a red light because they failed to adhere to their blue light rules of driving through on the opposite side of the road even though it was clear. I was assaulted by a police officer for merely asking how long it would be before they could open the road as they were supervising the recovery vehicle at the scene of an accident. I could go on!
I would say this occurred because the police van was delayed for a few seconds as vehicles were already coming through in the opposite direction. They only stopped because the viewer was in the vehicle and wanted to pressure him to move. They certainly wouldn't have given him a summons.
Councils haven't relaxed anything. The pavement is classed as being part of the highway. If there are parking restrictions on the road, they apply on the pavement. Likewise, if there are no parking restrictions on the road, there are none on the pavement. You can park partly or wholly on the pavement as long as you don't obstruct the pavement for pedestrians (i.e. so mobility scooters and double push chairs can get through). Excluding London as you rightly pointed out. There may be a case for damage to public property if parking/driving on grass, however?
I'd bet you the reason the policeman said "I'm not arguing with you" and drove off is cos that's when he saw the dashcam and realised he's making a tit of himself.. if it's such a heinous offence then do your job and fine the guy 😅 but he knows he's wrong and he's been caught saying crap and hurried off in a tantrum.
No yellow lines he can park there even if two cars park opposite and can get through would be ok. There as a bit today saying once again going to stop people parking on pavement not just in London.
Hey Ashley, police officer opinion here: No the viewer was not blocking the road, but I think the car in front of the police van was not paying attention and didn’t realise viewer was parked so sat behind viewer for a couple of seconds, which may be the trigger for the police having a word, albeit, it was still incorrect to say that viewer was blocking the road. As you said, it is not illegal to park on the kerb, however once a police officer in uniform gives you a direction (ie telling viewer to drive on to the kerb) then you must comply otherwise you commit an offence (Road Traffic Act 1988, s.35). Obviously I wasn’t there and couldn’t see the police officer’s perspective, but I think if I were in that van, I wouldn’t have batted an eyelid. If I stopped for every vehicle that was parked a bit funny I wouldn’t have enough time in the day to investigate the crimes I am managing. Obviously each human is individual and you cannot train people to be robots so there will always be varying opinions of what is or isn’t acceptable, much like in the driver training industry, you cannot train every driving instructor to be the exact same and some develop incorrect or bad habits which they end up passing on. Every industry has the same unfortunately. I think the officer was genuinely just trying to be helpful to aid better traffic flow (if he wasn’t then he would have taken the situation more seriously), and possibly got a bit annoyed when the viewer started arguing back as opposed to just driving onto the kerb liked asked to.
Driving onto the kerb would be an offence though, surely an officer giving you a direction that would lead to you committing an offence, would not be a 'lawful order'?
@@Thomashorsman Mounting/driving on the pavement (kerb counts) is an offence. "Driving on a pavement is illegal under the Highways Act 1835, section 72. It's also an offense under the Road Traffic Act 1988, section 34(1). The *only* exceptions are if you're driving onto a pavement to access a property or in an emergency." I definitely wouldn't commit an offence because an officer asked me to
@@Leidolfr12 The purpose of that piece of legislation is prevent people driving for a distance on the pavement. There would be no RPOC if the sole purpose was to park with wheels on the kerb/pavement.
"your blocking the road", said the copper who was _literally_ blocking the road
your --> you're
obviously
With his logic, you wouldn't be allowed to park on any road as you'll be blocking a lane
@@aleopardstail Always have to watch for grammer nazi's.
@@BabyCowGoingmadinafieldit was the commenter himself.
@@HoratioChinn there are enough out there who don't want the plebs to be allowed cars..
more likely this is just a frustrated idiot with a warrant card , a bad combination. as Ashley notes, Police need to do better, I would say they need to be setting an example
have seen quite a few police vehicles:
- undertaking (see recent videos on this)
- parking on blind corners or other stupid places
- cutting across multiple lanes on motorways
- in excess of the speed limits without blue lights
- ignoring traffic lights, especially at pedestrian crossings in a way that would make you think they were cyclists
- poor lane discipline
worth noting these are usually not the specialised road plod vehicles, just the more general local patrol vehicles
had this in Hampshire. Parked up because i had a phone call. Engine off, key in the cup holder. Cop came over, first saying i cant stop where i did. Politely asked why and told him, im not on double yellow lines. Theres no signs saying no parking or anything. "Look, im a cop yeah, not you. I know the highway code, you cant park there. Also you're on the phone while driving." Again, keys not in the ignition, politely informed him as such and asked for his badge number and name.
I put in a official complaint and appealed the fine. And it was a surprise, that i WON the appeal. They got his chest cam footage from the incident which confirmed everything I said.
And what does said Cop think we have to learn to pass our driving tests ? Oh yes, that would be The Highway Code !!!! So, yes we do know it, don't speak down to people because you wear a bloody uniform. you are only there to enforce laws, not make them up.
@@bravobr9725you don’t need to learn the Highway Code to pass unfortunately
just tell them you're not accepting the fine, don't give them your details as you've done nothing worng. if he arrests you, and takes you down the station, he will get done, you will get your day in court and his shit will be exposed. It's worth it to stop these jack boot arseholes getting put in their place AND a permanent mark on their record.
@@tonyfranklin8306 Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe you are legally obligated to identify yourself if asked by a police officer
@@WiIza_ Stop and account - no. Anti social behaviour - yes. Stop and search - only if they tell you they believed you committed an offence. During arrest - no. I don't think the original comment applies to any of these so details not necessarily lawfully required.
2:37 "You're blocking my lane."
Apparently they've stopped teaching police drivers how to negotiate parked vehicles - the bus didn't seem to have any issue 🤦
Also on the grass removed... that'll be down to years of non maintenance and vehicles driving over it causing ruts etc.
Looking at a street view of the area, the grass being removed looks more deliberate and a good idea for drivers to not park with two wheels on the kerb. It looks like it should be used as a small pavement to then find a larger cutting in the grass to reach the main pavement
Unfortunately many drivers have to feel the bump of wheels on the pavement otherwise they aren’t close enough to the kerb to be parked
You've nailed it. Yes this is a borderline spot, but it's a straight section and plenty of large vehicles passed him whilst stopped. Police Officer's parting comment applied to himself more than to your viewer.
One such large vehicle being a bus - which was bigger than plod's Transit 🤦♂
There was only 1 vehicle in the clip that blocked the road; it was the transit with the disco lights
"Ashley? Time to stop talking to your friends and come home. It's your tea time, and then homework"
😂 Chatting to your friends on that Your Tubes again. You'll never earn a proper living doing that!
why the quotation marks ??
@@bobblock-vk6je Because he's speculating on what would have been said if Ashley were to answer that phone call.
@@RavyDavy he is speculating that a full grown man would be told to come home and do his homework ?? very strange
Very childish and petulant of the copper to just drive off
He drove off because he knew he was in the wrong. And it wasn't really 'his lane' anyway, it's a public highway, he doesn't have exclusive use of it. He was perhaps very slightly delayed, maybe had to wait for oncoming traffic to pass, and didn't like it, thought his uniform gave him privileges. He certainly didn't earn any respect from the public.
Just wanted to feel superior by telling someone to do something for him, then didn't like it when they didn't just blindly obey.
A jerk-off in a white van!
Probably young
It's rude, and the law that applies to police officers, is that is illegal. Section 1 of the police code of ethics, has been incorporated into UK law.
Scary that the police officer on a number of occasions failed to answer the question, instead asking a question of his own. Disrespectful. It was very clear that the police officer didn't actually know whether it was an offence to park on the kerb/verge!
Nope, he knew full well. That’s why he avoided saying it specifically, and used the old ‘I’m not going to argue’
@@Ultima2876what did he know? It’s not illegal. It’s illegal in London only. Legal elsewhere.
@@damedusa5107 Yea, only legal in London where signs tell you to. Used to live there and our house was on a road so narrow had to park on the kerbs on both sides for cars to get up and down it.
@@damedusa5107 it's illegal to drive onto the pavement anywhere in the UK; how else would you park on the kerb? (there's a pavement in front of where the driver stopped)
@@tomsixsix it’s actually not. That’s the Highway Code. But not the road traffic act, which mentions the Highway Code. I’ve just explained this.
The Highway Code is guidance, with in it are actual laws from the road traffic act, but not every thing in it are actual laws.
Look it up yourself. There’s a difference.
Section below from the road traffic act
failure on the part of a person to observe a provision of the Highway Code shall not of itself render that person liable to criminal proceedings of any kind but any such failure may in any proceedings (whether civil or criminal, and including proceedings for an offence under the Traffic Acts, the M1Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 or sections 18 to 23 of the M2Transport Act 1985)
The act is the actual law, not the actual Highway code. Legislation matters.
I'd be curious to hear the opinion of Merseyside Police on this video.
Merseyside police declined to comment 😂
Merseyside Police have got to be the worst roadside police in the country.
Won't get anywhere. Completely unaccountable to the public.
@@jackmackenzie6721 As someone whom onl cycles (last 7 years), the enthusiast cyclist community tend to out the worst forces in terms of acting on shit driving, actual interactions, how their attitude is to a number of connected roadscape issues.
I think Manchester were high up the list, MET were the worst by a distance. Literally corrupt to the core. The taffy's weren't too clever either. Never heard much if anything about Merseyside police tbh and I've been on the forums for over 20 years.
Great video again. Surely the correct request from the officer should have been, "Sir, could I ask you to move along a little further down the road to free up the space between these two bus stops, you are not causing an offence but it would be safer for you, other road users and possibly bus passengers. Thank you for your cooperation" Politeness and common decency is not difficult, but some people find it so hard to grasp, particularly when they are given a little too much power for them to handle.
The irony is the guy would have probably moved if the officer had asked it this way 😂
That's the way to do it but common sense seems lacking as usual today😂
Completely agree. It was not the best place to stop but they put this point across very poorly.
Policing is by consent if it is to work. With manners like this consent and cooperation is eroded even from naturally law abiding people.
Parking on the curb is dreadful nuisance for those on mobility carts or wheel-chairs and for parents with a baby buggy. It should not be encouraged in my view.
100% mate, I wrote a comment 2 mins after yours about how many people near where I live completely block the footpath forcing us, our 15 month old in the pram and our dog onto the road... that being said I also don't agree that you should have to park 4 wheels on the road all the time either especially in narrow roads, it shouldn't be difficult to park in a safe manner that keeps the road and footpath clear if a bit of common sense is used
There's a difference between parking on the curb and parking on the sidewalk. The road that Ashley was talking about had grass between the curb and the sidewalk. I doubt anyone with a stroller is walking across the grass when there's a sidewalk right next to it.
However I agree that parking in a manner that restricts the width of the sidewalk is... I don't even know how to put it without using insults.
@@Pystrosidewalk? When did we become American?
@@Co074K4t5 Just a reminder: Ashley has viewers outside the UK.
I'm sure the local council would be well chuffed to hear a police officer encourage another driver to park up on an already rutted soft verge...
Indeed, up the road from where I used to live, the council had to fence off a load of grass verges that the locals used to park on (despite having drives) because they got so rucked up.
It’s scary that these folk have the power to put you in a cell
They shouldn't.
They only have the power to put you in a cell if you're committing an offence. Officers such as this one rely on people's ignorance of the law and police powers.
As soon as it becomes clear you know what you're talking about, they either back down or turn the situation into something ridiculous.
(I'm not police-bashing, there are plenty of decent officers, but a minority let the side down).
@@glenn1534I was put in a cell for being in the wrong place at the wrong time
They didn’t have a clue what they were doing
If the officer's comments were correct, then anyone parking on a narrow lane could be guilty of "blocking a lane". As long as you leave plenty of space to allow throughfare, there should be no issue.
But his comments were entirely irrelevant given the situation. He may as well have said murder is illegal.
AIUI that is correct.
Partial blocking can be treated as an offence. I've made a more detailed comment on the thread.
@@mattwardman I think you will find that in this case as there is easy accsess past the case will be dismissed if it went to court as the partial obstruction you talk about must/could make it difficult.
@@mattwardmanI work on the roads and as such I hold a current and valid nrswa qualification. It is required by law and teaches you the laws on signage, lighting and guarding as part of that qualification. We are taught that you can block a lane as long as you leave at least 2.5 metres for cars or if it’s a bus route it has to be at least 3 metres. I don’t see why it would be any different for a car parking there to my van and cones being there. You can also park on double yellows if loading. The only time you can’t park for loading is if the yellow lines continue up onto the kurb, so where you see the lines going along the road as normal but also the yellow lines are sprayed up and over the kurb onto the footpath at regular intervals. A bus passed this man therefore the distance left must have been more than 3 metres plus there wasn’t even any yellow lines at all so there are no parking restrictions in place. Basically what this person did was completely and utterly lawful. Bumping onto a kurb is unlawful and could be considered as blocking a footpath, besides that it’s destroying the footpaths and creating trip hazards as 6mm tar which is what’s used on footpaths aren’t meant for that weight plus it’s only 60mm thick unlike the roads which are at least 100mm thick and at least 10mm stone used in the tar. The copper was 100% in the wrong and literally asking the driver to commit an offence
The problem is that police officers often forget to speak to us like human beings. Their interactions with the public are almost always authoritative. He could have simply said, 'Alright, mate, you don't have to do this, but would you mind just moving up a little bit and park near the kerb there? It'll help the traffic flow just a tiny bit.' There's no dignity and respect given whatsoever.
Parking half on the pavement should be completely illegal, as it is in London and a few other places.
We need to reclaim pavements for pedestrians, who are frequently forced into the road - particularly wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
I live on a narrow street with terrace houses on both sides. The road is about 1.5 car widths wide. It is a cul-de-sac.
The surrounding streets are all just as narrow.
If we didn't all park half up on the pavement nobody would be able to get in or out.
The pavement is actually wide enough that you can easily have 2 people walking next to each other past the parked cars. It would seem sensible to move the kerb to widen the road but the local council response is to just pull up onto the pavement 🤷
@@MrAceyJayif the default position in law was changed councils could still designate (with a TRO) parts of the highway including a section of footway if deemed necessary after undertaking an Equalities Impact Assessment to allow people to park with 2 wheels on the footway and sign it as such.
For those that haven't studied Copper Speak, "I can't argue with you", translates to, "I just realised what a C U next Tuesday I sound like".
He noticed the dash cam and the slow realisation that he may become another UA-cam star dawned upon his misguided behatted head.
Nope, he just realised a request to move the car would not be heeded and he couldn't be arsed making it an arrest, so he stopped blocking traffic flow. No winners there.
@@nivelanit wasn’t a request, he told him to go on to the curb. I don’t respond well to people giving me orders, do you?
@@nyeainsbar2793 Considering I'm outnumbered 100 to 1 in arguing against Ashley's assertions here, do you genuinely think I'd have an issue questioning authority? Despite the police officer's poor communication I agree the parker should have moved his car, rather than argued about it being legal to make a nuisance of himself.
@@nivelan would have been an unlawful arrest - and there was a winner - the guy who was parked up won
I think he realised at the end what he was actually saying was rubbish. That's why he went off in a tantrum
Im suprised, amazed and astonished watching this video. 132.9p a litre! ;). Seriously through, this police officer was upset because he had to wait for 15 seconds so decided to spend another minute admonishing the cammer while stopped in the middle of the road, blocking the road. This was an ego chat
Why else become a pig if you aren't using your authority unfairly to bully people?
Just ahead of the police van did you not notice the confused driver pulling up, then realising the vehicle is parked and moving out? Poor driving but it happens again just as the police van left. The police office therefore did have a point as the cammer was causing an obstruction that led to confusion, delay and potential danger. Daft and inconsiderate parking. The police officer shouldn't have opened with a suggestion to move to the kerb though. Could've just asked him to move. Facing oncoming traffic it seems and obstructing a lane on a busy road is reason enough.
He wasn't facing oncoming traffic, he was on the correct side of the road. Police totally in the wrong, needs more driver training, I suggest Ashley to help him and probably the rest of the force too😂@@nivelan
@jeffmtitanium1 How do you know? The picture shows a single view facing I to traffic so I can assume that's the front window.
@@nivelan there was no obstruction, you don't understad what that means in the context of motorvehicle drivers, pedal cyclists or pedestrians on the highway.
Car-brain at its worst when it permeates those in a position of authority.
Too many vehicles blocking the pavement and inconveniencing pedestrians, instead of staying on the road.
In The Netherlands we have road signs wich tell you when you have to park with 2 wheels on the curb, otherwise it's not allowed.
The Netherlands is much more civilised and well kept than the UK - you also use different colour bricks to denote parking areas, you have clear rules about which roads us cyclists can and can't use (and nearly always provide an off road path if we can't use the road), and you still employ municipal staff who keep verges and bushes well maintained. We're like a third world country compared to NL!
That's how it works within Greater London
worth the watch for awareness and the "Thanks! mum"
Saw Lancashire Police park car half on road, half on pavement whilst I was out walking the other day.
Highway code still says in Rule 145 : "You MUST NOT drive on or over a pavement, footpath or bridleway except to gain lawful access to property, or in the case of an emergency."
NB: If you are parked on a pavement, you must have driven on it.
The relevant rule is 244
@@mattc140 Had this one the other day and you have stated the correct rule (244) as most read the 145 rule and think that is the correct rule when it is there to stop using the path as an alternative route to acsess property etc.
This is why have a great big floor jack, traffic cones, hi-viz and a right hand man. Just so I can shift my car onto the kerb legally (outside London) and comply with rule 145.
This isn’t the gotcha you think it is. The Highway Code is a set of instructions on how to drive. But it’s not laws. What it does have is actual laws and legislation that mirror most the highways codes rules, but not all of the rules are backed with actual laws. Like parking on pavements. It’s actually legal in the uk. London has a specific law to ban parking on pavements, but it’s not relevant outside of London.
@@damedusa5107 The highway code specifically mentions law every time in all caps it says "MUST NOT" instead of "should not". There is a reference to the statutes every time (some as far back as the middle ages)
Don't let cops push you around, know the law and your rights, only way they'll learn
Yep
If I'm honest Ashley when all cars are parked only on one side of the road I wouldn't even consider parking my car on the opposite side!
Totally agree. Would not have parked on that side. I would have parked on the right or elsewhere.
Underrated comment. My car won't be the one creating a "meeting situation".
Copper realises his logic is flawed and resorts to insult... Like a lot of UA-cam commenters 😜
Liebour voters are like that!
@@JohnSmith-ei2pz The irony in your comment is rich.
@@broshmosh If you tried working you may become so!
When he pointed out he could get through, he looked up the road, and his head was like, “Oh shit, he’s right! Well, okay then, I'll go.”
@@JohnSmith-ei2pzwhat in god’s name has that got to do with anything?
Notice how he tried moving the goalposts when challenged, and didn't answer the questions your viewer politely asked. Jobsworth on a power trip.
I wish I took a picture now, but passed 2 police vans in Canary Wharf yesterday, stopped over the ped crossing, officers in each nattering away, blocking both lanes whilst the traffic was building up behind. One rule for one…
Had an interesting interaction with Merseyside Police during one of my early lessons. I was in the right hand lane (turning right at the next junction) and there was a car next to me in the left when I noticed blue lights in the mirror. Given the left lane was blocked, I followed my instructors direction and indicated right before coming to a stop, leaving the other car to continue on and opening space in the left lane, which the officer promptly used to pull up alongside us and have a go at me because I didn't pull over to the left. Can't imagine what kind of emergency is urgent enough to warrant lights and sirens, while still being less important than stopping to reprimand a learner.
The Cop obviously doesn't understand the law. Which isn't surprising nowadays.
It wasn't surprising in the old days either.
@toxlaximus3297 have to your word for it mate
"Blocking my lane"? Surely that applies to every car parked on a road only wide enough for 2 cars? Pull up the kerb, although the kerb is low it's still a hazard for many vehicles with low profile tyres. Maybe the police need to contact the council and get them to install proper parking bays with smooth even kerbstones.
The last bit of the video 8:10 "Thanks Mum, for interrupting my video, and ringing me!" 😂😂😂
I do hope he rang back, Mums always know.
I'm currently 3 minutes in - up to the point where the viewer's clip ends; the irony of it for me, as I've noticed others have unsurprisingly mentioned, is that the police officer took it upon himself to block the whole remaining portion of road to tell somebody else they were blocking part of it. Surely he could've pulled up behind/in front and got out? I must say that at first viewing the viewer's responses were very well considered and absolutely spot on. "No it's not, but it's an offence to block the road." Cor blimey.
So, having watched the rest, I have to agree with Ashley's analysis of it. The officer's request was on no grounds like Ash said, but like he also mentioned he was potentially trying to get across the message that it perhaps wasn't the most ideal legal place to park, but definitely went about it wrongly. Without being too harsh overall, maybe he just made a mistake and put his point across in an unsuccessful way.
I'd like to see how that officer acts on the road when not in uniform!
The driver was not blocking the road since he was passed by numerous cars and a police van! To park on the wet grass verge would damage it plus the vehicle could get stuck. parking partially on the verge would not have increased the flow of vehicles. The policeman was wrong in demanding that the driver move but it would have been reasonable for the policeman to request the driver to seek an alternative parking place to aid traffic flow.
I agree, it might not be illegal to park there, but sitting waiting for that long on quite a busy road comes across as arrogant to me.
@@ChrisCaaa There might have been a bit of belligerence but the policeman was being slightly officious as well. This is all really a spat between two motorists.
The road was not that busy for the parking to cause a significant obstruction. You could say the the parked car actually contributed to the safety in that it presented a version of a traffic calming chicane, where drivers notably slowed to deal with it.
@@ChrisCaaa I dunno the circumstances around it for the viewer but personally I would avoid causing traffic flow to be reduced to one lane around me if possible and not a fan of when other people do it as far too often there are better options which wouldn't cause any inconvenience other than the person parking having to maybe walk a few seconds longer, etc.
I think the main issue here really is the policeman's people skills as I don't think it unreasonable for them to ask the driver to find somewhere better to park but their approach and ability to respond when challenged was poor.
Yeah guys I agree, the policeman should have opened with 'hello sir, how are you' etc.
Just once have I had a "discussion" with a police officer who was, in effect, asking me to break the law. He didnt seem happy that I refused. Given that I wasnt breaking any law at the time there wasnt any way I was gong to do as he was asking. (honestly, 40 years ago, I thought he might be trying to trap me).
It strikes me this is the same situation. If it went to court, I cant see it ending very well for the police officer concerned.
There’s a huge difference between grass verge and pavement - whatever the law says. Parking on or partly on a pavement, which is VERY common - and on many streets unavoidable - can obstruct blind people, people in wheelchairs, people pushing pushchairs or trailing children and can create great risk by forcing pedestrians onto the road. On many residential roads its the only way to park without obstructing the traffic. This is a problem.
Completely agree and there's also the problem of damage to the footpath and underground services because they are not built to support the weight of vehicles. With a little thought for others, these lazy people could park sensibly and legally but might have to walk a few yards but that seems completely alien to them and sod everyone else☹️
@ partly. This is sometimes true. In my area there are many roads where there is no parking at all and the road is too narrow for two-way and sometimes one-way traffic without pavement parking. There are solutions involving making roads one-way but the council wont look at them. On my street every house has a drive for one car and when I moved here that worked. But now, 25 years later, many houses have grown up children so each house has two or three cars. Its passable if people park on the road but almost all of them park half on the pavement forcing peds onto the road. Many of the parkers are teenagers (who are not generally well-known for being considerate). One way wouldnt work on my road as its a cul de sac. If I say anything to my neighbours about it it will create bad feeling - not a good thing between neighbours. This is definitely where your point applies.
@@josephfredbill Unfortunately in most places it's a free-for-all and with the numbers of vehicles each family now has it has become an epidemic. Councils could do an awful lot more as you say with one-way streets etc. Also new estates are being built with narrow roads, insufficient parking spaces, tiny garages and drives so the developers can maximise profits. It causes chaos and vehicles are abandoned everywhere. Heaven knows how a fire engine would get through if it needed to.
@ yes
My main concern with cars parking on the kerb/pavement is where they block the pavement for pedestrians, particularly disabled and parents with children.
This was not the case here, though regular parking on the grass verge is likely to damage it.
This wasn't a particular busy road, creating a pinch point wasn't going to affect flow substantially so really no issues and the police officer should just have driven passed.
Ideally another spot may have been better but we don't know the reason the driver parked there so won't speculate on that.
He was only asking you to pull on the kerb he wasn't giving you a lawful instruction, so just simplly tell him to move on and mind his own business.
It felt like the police officer was approaching it as if he was just some guy (saying the guy should move, then leaving without enforcing it), but I don't think that's acceptable whenever you're in uniform / a police vehicle. There is an implication that you are being given a police order, but really no more authority was there than if any of the other drivers had stopped and told you off (incorrectly) for your parking.
I think the situation wasn't helped by the car in front of the police van not paying attention and realising the cammer was parked, hence pulling in behind. This would have given the appearance of 'blocking traffic'?
Agreed
Didn't they do that because the police van was blocking the way (ironically)?
It's difficult to tell how close the cammer was parked to the kerb. If they were miles away then that might confuse the driver behind and could have riled the policeman.
1 point to make.
If you park on/ over the kerb, and you are seen to have parked on/ over the kerb, and that kerb is "damaged" - then you can be charged for the replacement of that kerbstone (usually over £1000).
This may sound reasonable enough, BUT, as they only ever have to prove you were parked in that spot (and was on or must have driven over the kerb) courts up and down the country almost always find against the driver and in favour of the council if the driver ever does fight it in court.
This tends to be a much bigger issue for lorry drivers, which are prosecuted at a much higher rate than car drivers for this - but it isn't because the vehicle might be heavier/ do more damage, it's because the burden of proof for professional drivers are lower and they are held to a higher standard.
I've seen many lorry drivers, some bus drivers, and many car drivers charged for this - and this is why I will never park on/ over the kerb... I'd probably park 100 yards further on and walk.
The fact that neither bus stops are marked out kind of bemuses me
It's quite common in less busy areas, where buses are infrequent - there's a bus stop sign and the bus just stops in the running lane much like the viewer's car. Sometimes you're lucky and get a bench to sit on too.
The conversation from the cop should literally have been "can you move up to where there are less parked cars, please?" That's it, nothing more. Even without that, he's telling the driver to potentially damage his wheels by bouncing up a kerb (I have no idea how low-profile the tyres are), which is a bit of a dick move. Finally, the only one who actually blocked the road, was the police - and they did so without the blues on - if they were officially engaging with a motorist, they should have parked, got out, and spoken to them.
In Australia, it is illegal to park on the curb or footpath. In situations where the road is narrow, there is either no parking signs on one side of the road, or no parking at all. We also have to park in the direction of the road, you can’t cross the road to park on the ‘right’.
Parking in this particular street seemed well organised and disciplined; all on one side and (practically) none on the other. Given that the council considers the street prone to obstruction there is a simple time honoured and cost effective solution. It involves no more than a can or two of yellow paint.
Police agree that parking on the kerb is illegal, proceeds to then ask him again to park on the curb, thus committing an offence, police then deny that they have instructed the driver to commit an offence, then demands the driver park on the kerb, thus committing an offence. All whilst the police themselves obstruct the kings highway, the very thing they claim the driver was doing. Incredible...
It's like a monty python sketch, the level of incompetence shown by the officer here is a disgrace.
It's a terrible place to stop but yes I don't think it's illegal
I had a similar run in with a police officer at Warrington Bank Quay car park, I stopped to pick up my son from the drop off/pick up point that was empty. A car came and stopped waiting to my right blocking the lane, then another car behind him and then a few more. The Road is marked with the areas you can wait which I was in. An officer got out the van and told me to move as I was blocking traffic, they would not have it that all the other vehicles had stopped in the wrong place and I was told move "or else", so I had to leave the car park and drive all the way around and back into the waiting area in the wrong place. Mental that the office just wouldn't look or accept they were in the wrong.
blocking the road yet a bus got through and the cop blocked the road to have a pop at the driver 🤔
The police officer was clearly wrong and was probably having a bad day. I would have passed the footage onto the police in hope they would have given this copper some education!
A lot of streets in the Hillsborough area of Sheffield (and other areas) aren't wide enough for cars to park on both sides. This results in cars parked up on the pavement on both sides, so an emergency vehicle could get through the middle, but in many situations the pavement is blocked for wheelchair access. There's no real answer for this problem... you could put double yellows down one side but that would just push those cars into other streets and create an even bigger parking problem.
Don’t blame mum.
Turn your phone off
No tea for you!
Councils should use your logic and start marking where it isn't sensible to park with double yellow lines. And then enforce them!
Although it’s legal to park there. It doesn’t half my grind gears when everyone is parked on one specific side of the road. Then someone comes along and parks on the other side because they live on that side. Effectively turning a 2 way road into a 1 way road out of selfishness snd laziness
I used to live on a road which had cars parked either side which naturally forced motorists to slow down. The council proposed putting in a one way street with a contraflow cycle lane as a "cycling safety improvement". At the consultation session I pointed out that the one way street idea was stupid as it would turn a self policing 20 in a 30 zone into a one way 30mph plus thrash fest. Thankfully the idea was dropped.
Personally avoid parking on kerbs. Can knock your tracking out and cause uneven wear on tyres.
Apart from that you can also get a parking ticket from the local council.
@@simonkevnorris not around my way. Absolute free for all here.
Or even sidewall damage on tyres; that’s not repairable, so you’ve had it if that happens.
@@rav8881 My brother got a parking ticket for doing that in Middlesex. His house was on the other side of the road from a school. I think he copied what I had done the previous day (and didn't get a ticket).
What a horrid insecure copper. I feel for his family.
It's also highly unprofessional and rude for the police officer to engage with a member of the public by calling him 'mate'. Standards it seems,have all gone to hell in a handcart.
I don't understand what the difference parking on the kerb would have even made! If you pause the video at 1:21 you can see that there is no way that 2 cars would have been able to pass at the point where a car is parked even if it was on the kerb - unless the whole car was on the pavement, which would definitely have been an offence, blocking pedestrian access to the bus stop.
Years ago I knew a traffic police officer. He always used to say the highway was for the purpose of passing and repassing without let or hindrance. By his definition anything left on the highway prevented this from happening and could constitute obstruction of the highway.
what makes me laugh is the fact hes telling someone off for "blocking the road" when in actual fact, his van was 😂😂
I think the issue was caused by the VW in front of the police van. They misread the situation and queued behind the cam car (I can't tell you how often I see this on lessons when following cars can't read the situation). If they had overtaken like everyone ahead of them, I'd put money on the fact that the police would have just continued.
Parking there, particularly when there is plenty of space on the other side of the road, is inconsiderate to traffic delayed by the need to wait for oncoming vehicles to clear.
Firstly, this just shows how normalised it is to park on the pavement/kerb, even if parking on the kerb wouldn’t really help traffic flow any better. I think many people think that’s just how you’re supposed to park.
Given his attitude, I highly doubt this officer would have a chat with someone parked fully blocking the pavement; as long as it’s not causing minor inconvenience to him in his van, it’s all fine (and this reflects the attitude of a significant portion of society as a whole).
It’s illegal to drive on a pavement, so I wouldn’t pull up on the bus stop area, but it’s probably legally ok to park on the verge unless the council has banned it. But I wouldn’t do it if possible, because it ruins the verge.
Obstruction is also subjective, but I think almost anyone would agree this driver wasn’t causing a significant obstruction. If he was parked like that on a busy main road causing tailbacks, then sure, it’s obstruction, but not on this road.
If the car in front of the police van had been paying attention,the car was parked and they could/should have passed it,thus not holding up the police van for 7 seconds and not creating an incident.
“You’re blocking my lane”. What, so nobody should ever park on the road? We should all be parking on the pavement? 😂
So many times I've seen cars parked with most of the car up on the pavement, which leaves the road clear, but very little if any room for pedestrians, and especially mobility scooter users, to pass. 😠
There are roads close to me where I have to walk in the road because the cars take up the entire pavement, even though there is plenty of space to park on the road (similar to this clip).
Occasionally I'll get an angry driver giving me abuse, saying I shouldn't be walking in the road. I just calmly tell them that the drivers of the parked cars clearly disagree with them.
Needs reported. Police think they can do what they want nowadays.
I usually park in someone's driveway
sound dude
So the car thief can break into the wrong house to get the keys. Figures.
I am just trying to imagine Ash on the phone after he stopped recording; was he a complete, moody teenager: “Mum, why are you calling me while I'm talking to my viewings on UA-cam? God, you are so embarrassing!” 😉
As a general rule of thumb, I am in the "Pavements are for people" camp but a verge is not a pavement.
On the other hand, if there is no pavement I would be reluctant to block a verge if it meant pedestrians had to step into the road to pass my car.
There is, though, another question - "who owns the land at the side of the road?"
Putting your car on it without the owner's permission would be trespass.
Traffic was flowing freely until the police parked in the middle of the road. Nothing was said about the VW driver who stopped behind the cam car for no reason.
Just a point to consider. The view at 3:10 of the bus stop in front. If a bus were to stop to pick up or drop off it would likely be blocking the road while it does so due to the angles involved and the length of the vehicle. The driver may be able to get their bus parallel with the kerb but I suspect they wouldn't as there is a risk of hitting the bus stop pole with their mirror. Having said that, any delay would likely be >2 mins maximum
The council can only issue fines for parking on verges and footways if they have a valid Traffic Regulation Order and correct signage to say it is banned (either a regular series of yellow signs with the no waiting symbols and explanatory text or zonal signal with pictogram of a car parked with two wheels up on the kerb in a red circle). Otherwise the council is powerless to deal with a parking issue.
Ashley i can’t believe they asked the cammer to park on the kerb? If that road is a problem then the council would have put double yellow lines in that area if a bus can get past a transit van shouldn’t have a problem he blocked the road complete himself geez 🙄
1:33 - You could get a bus through there. 🤣
Doesn't look that blocked to me.
I think Ashley is right, the officer had gone into "must win the argument" mode, and was just saying whatever he thought would help him do that. Not acceptable. Must do better.
It’s a case of over crowded narrow roads and little availability for safe parking. Perhaps the police officer was advocating either park on the kerb or park with the majority of cars on the right. In any event their comments were not helpful or constructive. Motorists are faced with a multitude of driving issues including poor road markings and parking problems. This event was nothing more than a person with authority and responsibility trying to harass someone who had impeded….only slightly…..their entitlement to “own the road”
I once got a ticket for parking on the curb, all other cars were parked the same, but I failed to notice a sign beyond which curb parking was not allowed, only few feet but I paid for it dearly, still annoys me to be honest.
I got a ticket years ago for parking an outfit on the pavement, it was about 15’ wide where I parked and I wasn’t impeding anything. Mumble grumble. That was 1982
Can’t stand parking on paths. I can understand 2 wheels if it helps traffic flow but anything that impedes or obstructs pedestrians should be dealt with via a hefty fine or removal in my opinion. Just because you own a car doesn’t give you the right to plonk it anywhere you like. And coppers are worryingly dim, belligerent or bully’s. I’ve seen a copper berate a motorcyclist for attempting a legal and safe filtering manoeuvre and another pulling out on a cyclist and then went to harass them because the cyclist shouted at him. Not much faith in their skills or abilities to be honest.
Hi Ashley, as you say local councils now control parking on the footpath. However under the Road Traffic Act 1988 Section 34(1) it is an offence to drive on the footpath! So you commit an offence in theory whilst you park.
I was not impressed with the copper's manner.
Because of the bus stops I would not have stopped there unless it was absolutely necessary, eg. to load a disabled passenger (and in fact, the mud and puddles would have precluded that anyway).
That being said, the road was not blocked by the viewer's car. If a fire engine can get through without difficulty, I certainly would not want to be told to park on the verge/kerb unnecessarily, even by a police officer - see my opening comment. I avoid parking on the verge/kerb wherever possible because of the damage it does, as can clearly be seen in the introduction where Ash is pulling up. Obviously, there are times when it is unavoidable.
The police force having a lack of knowledge and inventing things in place of that knowledge? Never!
Near to where I live the pavement has been designated a cycle lane, so everybody parks fully on the pavement.
Hi Ashley, thank you for reading my comments and thank you for giving out the correct information on your previous video with regards to red traffic lights, I really appreciate that, rule 244 - ‘you MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London, and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it’, rule 242 - ‘you MUST NOT leave your vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road’, rule 145 - ‘you MUST NOT drive on or over a pavement, footpath or bridleway except to gain lawful access to property, or in the case of an emergency’, vehicles are not allowed to drive across pavements unless there is a properly built crossover, also known as a dropped kerb or vehicle crossing, it is illegal to drive across a pavement without a crossover, even to access a private driveway, give way to pedestrians if you need to drive over a dropped kerb to access a driveway, pavements are for pedestrians so motor vehicles should keep off of them, unless crossing a dropped kerb to access a driveway, encouraging the driver to park on a place that is for pedestrians, that’s very poor policing in my opinion.
Yes, I think that this could have come under 242 'where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road', it would require the officer to much better state his case, rather than just ask. With the two bus stops the 'unnecessary obstruction' bit could be argued easily, and it would be the drivers views vs the cop in court, and I don't think the driver would win.
UK has so many weird rules. As discussed in other Ashley videos one is not allowed to move over to an empty bus lane to give way to an ambulance with a dying patient or a fire truck on the way to save a family's house. But as seen in this video, parking on a bus stop is all good.
I do hope someone has complained to the police about this. They’re drunk on power.
If he was parked up on the curb, I'm sure another officer would have told him the opposite. The issue is the copper doesn't know the law or wasn't aware of it. This really sums up why some police officers are seen blatantly breaking the law regularly.
Parking on the pavement may only be a specific offence in London And Scotland (unfortunately). What I would like to know is how anyone can pull up on the kerb without breaking Highway Code rule 145.
“You MUST NOT drive on or over a pavement, footpath or bridleway except to gain lawful access to property, or in the case of an emergency.” As this is a MUST NOT it is on offence.
Provided the car is put there by a crane, pushed there, or arrrives by levitation, at no time is it driven on the pavement and no driving offence has been committed. Seriously though, it's always confused me, too. I look forward to when pavement parking is banned nationwide except where explicitly permitted.
As if we needed any more confirmation that parking on the pavement has become normalised in many people's minds, and that we're a massively car-centric society.
"You could fit a jumbo jet through there!"😂
Part of the problem on that street looks like people take the typical view that they're entitled to park outside their house, regardless of bus stops yellow lines or anything else.
Local by-laws might apply - in the city where I live, parking on pavements or verges in banned within the city limits.
Of course, most people do it and nobody enforces it!
Policing standards in Shrewsbury are not the best. I see many police drivers committing driving offences and generally driving poorly.
Recently saw one close pass a cyclist to overtake on the entrance to a small roundabout. Had one overtake my learner and me while we were waiting for traffic to clear at a meeting point. Had one emerge from a side road on the right without looking and slow us almost to a stop. Recently had to brake hard because one was overtaking on a bend. Got forced into a bike box and almost through a red light because they failed to adhere to their blue light rules of driving through on the opposite side of the road even though it was clear.
I was assaulted by a police officer for merely asking how long it would be before they could open the road as they were supervising the recovery vehicle at the scene of an accident. I could go on!
YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH ! ! !
sorry, couldn't resist.
I would say this occurred because the police van was delayed for a few seconds as vehicles were already coming through in the opposite direction. They only stopped because the viewer was in the vehicle and wanted to pressure him to move. They certainly wouldn't have given him a summons.
Councils haven't relaxed anything. The pavement is classed as being part of the highway. If there are parking restrictions on the road, they apply on the pavement. Likewise, if there are no parking restrictions on the road, there are none on the pavement. You can park partly or wholly on the pavement as long as you don't obstruct the pavement for pedestrians (i.e. so mobility scooters and double push chairs can get through). Excluding London as you rightly pointed out. There may be a case for damage to public property if parking/driving on grass, however?
I'd bet you the reason the policeman said "I'm not arguing with you" and drove off is cos that's when he saw the dashcam and realised he's making a tit of himself.. if it's such a heinous offence then do your job and fine the guy 😅 but he knows he's wrong and he's been caught saying crap and hurried off in a tantrum.
I would not have stopped/ parked there, police do as they please because they can get away with, do as I say not as I do attitude.
No yellow lines he can park there even if two cars park opposite and can get through would be ok. There as a bit today saying once again going to stop people parking on pavement not just in London.
Hey Ashley, police officer opinion here: No the viewer was not blocking the road, but I think the car in front of the police van was not paying attention and didn’t realise viewer was parked so sat behind viewer for a couple of seconds, which may be the trigger for the police having a word, albeit, it was still incorrect to say that viewer was blocking the road. As you said, it is not illegal to park on the kerb, however once a police officer in uniform gives you a direction (ie telling viewer to drive on to the kerb) then you must comply otherwise you commit an offence (Road Traffic Act 1988, s.35).
Obviously I wasn’t there and couldn’t see the police officer’s perspective, but I think if I were in that van, I wouldn’t have batted an eyelid. If I stopped for every vehicle that was parked a bit funny I wouldn’t have enough time in the day to investigate the crimes I am managing. Obviously each human is individual and you cannot train people to be robots so there will always be varying opinions of what is or isn’t acceptable, much like in the driver training industry, you cannot train every driving instructor to be the exact same and some develop incorrect or bad habits which they end up passing on. Every industry has the same unfortunately. I think the officer was genuinely just trying to be helpful to aid better traffic flow (if he wasn’t then he would have taken the situation more seriously), and possibly got a bit annoyed when the viewer started arguing back as opposed to just driving onto the kerb liked asked to.
Driving onto the kerb would be an offence though, surely an officer giving you a direction that would lead to you committing an offence, would not be a 'lawful order'?
@@Leidolfr12 As he explained, parking on the kerb is only an offence in London and Scotland.
@@Thomashorsman
Mounting/driving on the pavement (kerb counts) is an offence.
"Driving on a pavement is illegal under the Highways Act 1835, section 72. It's also an offense under the Road Traffic Act 1988, section 34(1).
The *only* exceptions are if you're driving onto a pavement to access a property or in an emergency."
I definitely wouldn't commit an offence because an officer asked me to
@@Leidolfr12 The purpose of that piece of legislation is prevent people driving for a distance on the pavement. There would be no RPOC if the sole purpose was to park with wheels on the kerb/pavement.