when is a car considered 'parked'?

when is a car considered 'parked'?

Author
Discussion

DaveCWK

Original Poster:

2,176 posts

189 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
Inspired by watching those CyclingMikey videos where he films drivers in standstill traffic using their phones, I was wondering what the actual definition of a car being parked is - does anyone know?

I would have said pulled to the side of the road, stationary, engine off.

Which lots of these cars sitting in traffic could probably be argued to be as they 1) can't be seen moving in the video, 2) have the engine off, due to I assume stop-start, but could just be switched off by the driver 3) are arguably close enough to the kerb that you could claim they are parked (albeit badly)

Jamescrs

5,286 posts

80 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
On the odd occasion I see the cycling Mikey videos it always appears that the drivers are sat in a queue of traffic rather than being parked.

I think the difference is they are only held there because of the surrounding conditions not because they have consciously pulled over at the road side and have turned the engine off etc.

paul_c123

788 posts

8 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
"Parking" isn't defined in the relevant law. It is the definition of "driving" which is relevant, in regards using a mobile phone.