Have I committed an RTA?
Discussion
Looking for some advice on this one: I have to drive to see people at their home address as part of my job and recently visited some people who live in a cul-de-sac on an estate where there is very little parking and very narrow roads. I parked my car opposite the house I was visiting and upon returning to my car an hour later the neighbour came out to tell me I had caused an RTA. Naturally very concerned that someone had been hurt or banged their car I enquired as to the nature of the RTA.
The reply somewhat shocked me: Said neighbour states he is a policeman and that the RTA involves his property, and that the damage was that a 2 metre stretch of grass along the edge of his lawn had been flattened by my tyre as I parked the car. I had not churned the grass up nor left any muddy marks, just flattened the grass a little. At first I though he was winding me up but he turned out to be deadly serious. Took a note of my car registration number and told me that if I didnt give him my contact and insurance details he would report me. I apologised profusely and gave him my name and mobile number, but he insists that he will be taking photos of the incident at 'first light' and that he would be gaining quotes from a gardener as to whether the grass would need to be replaced!
Could'nt believe what I was hearing and tried to explain that as it was grass surely it would bounce back from having a tyre run over it. He was adamant that I had caused damage and insisted that if I dont sort it out he will report me. Question is, have I actually committed an offence, RTA or otherwise, and how would the Police view this? Seems rather trivial to me, although obviously very important to him. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
The reply somewhat shocked me: Said neighbour states he is a policeman and that the RTA involves his property, and that the damage was that a 2 metre stretch of grass along the edge of his lawn had been flattened by my tyre as I parked the car. I had not churned the grass up nor left any muddy marks, just flattened the grass a little. At first I though he was winding me up but he turned out to be deadly serious. Took a note of my car registration number and told me that if I didnt give him my contact and insurance details he would report me. I apologised profusely and gave him my name and mobile number, but he insists that he will be taking photos of the incident at 'first light' and that he would be gaining quotes from a gardener as to whether the grass would need to be replaced!
Could'nt believe what I was hearing and tried to explain that as it was grass surely it would bounce back from having a tyre run over it. He was adamant that I had caused damage and insisted that if I dont sort it out he will report me. Question is, have I actually committed an offence, RTA or otherwise, and how would the Police view this? Seems rather trivial to me, although obviously very important to him. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
How can he prove it was you?
At the end of the day - it's your word against his .... he says himself that we won't have 'evidence' until the morning ..... no sign of your vehicle causing the damage - and whats not to say that someone else parked there after you, or overnight?
And if you have caused an RTA - then I guess there's a few hundred thousand other folk doing exactly the same thing - if it was nice easy earner - then they'd all be prosecuted.
K
At the end of the day - it's your word against his .... he says himself that we won't have 'evidence' until the morning ..... no sign of your vehicle causing the damage - and whats not to say that someone else parked there after you, or overnight?
And if you have caused an RTA - then I guess there's a few hundred thousand other folk doing exactly the same thing - if it was nice easy earner - then they'd all be prosecuted.
K
Surely an 'accident' is something you don't intend to do. If you drive on some grass, knowing it is grass, you also know that it will be temporarily flattened.
Surely the question would be 'is this criminal damage', since the driver knew what he was doing.
What a load of old nonsense this is.
Surely the question would be 'is this criminal damage', since the driver knew what he was doing.
What a load of old nonsense this is.
Dwight VanDriver said:
Yes it is a reportable RTA.
Where damage is caused:
"to any other property constructed on,fixed to,growing in or otherwise forming part of the land on which the road in question is situated or land adjacent to such land." (S170 (1)(b)(iii) RTA 88.
dvd
So where was the damage caused?
Flatening grass does not nessassarily damage it.
If he is a BiB then is sounds like he needs is gonads parted by a size 10 doc martin! Stupid t
t should know better, basically e was trying to bully you. Did I mention "Pathclear"?
Wasnt me!!!!
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