It’s not only residents and businesses that have a problem with vehicles that are parked illegally and selfishly. These illegally parked vehicles regularly cause serious problems for our already stretched emergency services. Very often in the UK, selfish motorists choose to ignore parking restrictions for small reasons like going to the shop or dropping children off at school, all with a complete disregard for the problems they may cause other road users.
Selfish parking isn’t just a minor annoyance. With many more cars now on the road, it has become a much more widespread problem that can have far-reaching consequences.
Selfish Parking can cause real problems for Local Residents
In many suburban areas, residents face a daily struggle with selfish parking. Motorists ignoring permit only areas or parking across the bottom of driveways make it impossible for homeowners to get in and out of their houses. You also get inconsiderate drivers taking up parking spaces designated for use by drivers with disabilities who may use blue badges.
Selfish parking can make day to day tasks a real challenge. Having your bins emptied or receiving deliveries can become much more complicated than it should be, as larger vehicles can’t access the street because people have double parked. Selfish parking can also lead to arguments between residents and create a negative environment. There are good reasons why parking regulations are in place and why parking enforcement plays a part in keeping roads clear for genuine road users.
Selfish Parking poses a Danger to other Motorists
When you are driving down a narrow street, just one car parked inconsiderately can lead to you having to pull out onto the other side of the road. While this may seem a minor problem, these types of manoeuvres are often difficult, especially if you are struggling to see the oncoming traffic. This significantly increases the chances of vehicles being involved in head on collisions.
Double-parked vehicles are another thing that can lead to collisions as drivers try to weave their way through spaces much narrower than they are meant to be. This is why every motorist should think twice before just parking anywhere, it could end up leading to an accident in which someone could be seriously injured.
Selfish Parking Severely Impacts Emergency Services
While all the other problems associated with selfish parking are not to be trivialised, they sometimes pale into insignificance when compared with the effect it can have on the emergency services. Illegally or selfishly parked vehicles can delay emergency vehicles, either by requiring them to wait for cars to be moved or by forcing them to reroute. In the case of emergencies, every second counts and time wasted navigating poorly parked cars means it will take you longer to reach someone in need or get them to hospital for treatment.
To give you a better idea, imagine you have a fire at home and the fire engine is struggling to get to you because a narrow street is clogged up with double-parked vehicles. Or think about how difficult it is for paramedics in a situation where every second counts having to stop and turn around, wait for a parked car to move, or find an alternative route. These delays can mean the difference between life and death.
What are Some of the Consequences of Inconsiderate Parking?
The consequences of illegal and selfish parking go way beyond inconvenience. While parking tickets and fines can deter some people, many others risk them for the chance to park where they want. As we have explained, the real cost of selfish parking is often much higher.
Accidents that are the result of unnecessary obstructions can lead to property damage, injuries, and even fatalities. Blocking a person’s driveway could lead to the delay of deliveries of essential medications or home care services. More importantly, delays for emergency services can have life or death consequences.
Why Parking Enforcement Plays an Important Part in Helping Eradicate Selfish Parking
Because of peoples nature, completely stopping selfish parking probably isn’t going to happen. However, the implementation of effective parking enforcement solutions can help minimise the problem.
There are a number of things you can do to prevent selfish or illegal parking such as increasing patrols by parking wardens, and making penalties much stricter. Technology can also play a part, utilising automated number plate recognition (ANPR) systems gives you the chance to identify vehicles parked illegally and take action against the owners.
If you are struggling with any of the problems associated with selfish parking, why not contact the team here at Parking Patrol on 03707 203807 or via our online contact form. We are here to provide tailored parking enforcement solutions specifically designed to help eliminate illegal parking.
