a main road ?. There seems to be some dispute about what the highway code states in regard to reversing onto a main road (from say, a private driveway or side road) I was stopped by the Police for doing so, so have always thought it was an offence. can anyone please clarify ?
2007-07-04 19:42:50 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
I know the highway code recommends that you don't but is it an offence if you do ? can you be prosecuted for it ?
2007-07-04 19:49:08 · update #1
The Highway Code is, in most places, advisory. Contravening any advice it gives is not an offence automatically. However, if you contravene advice from it and either cause danger to other road users or, indeed, have an accident, the fact that you ignored advice contained in the HC could be used as evidence against you.
I must say that, when I see someone reversing out of a drive, it always seems to me that they are taking an unacceptable risk - there are too many blind spots. On the other hand, reversing IN can be done when you are absolutely certain it is safe to do so - hence the advice.
Police officers not only tell people when they are committing an offence, they also (if you ever see one) sometimes offer advice about driving safety. I think your man (or lady) was merely being helpful, albeit most people, when spoken by a police officer, think they are being told off.
That's life!
Drive carefully.
2007-07-04 20:06:37 · answer #1 · answered by Essex Ron 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Wherever "rules" in the Highway Code are prosecutable offences it cleary says so, and states the regulation/act that makes it an offence. The majority of the rules are nothing more than common sense advice. If you reverse on to the drive, you can drive out facing forward and get a good view. If you enter your drive facing forward you are dicing with death on a major road. Use your loaf. If you were stopped by the police but not reported for any offences they were just giving you good sound safety advice. They don't want you to reverse into the road and kill a motorcyclist for them to have to go and scrape off the road.
2007-07-05 08:37:01 · answer #2 · answered by undercover elephant 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Strewth, there's a lot of misunderstanding over this. The advice given in the Highway Code Rule 177 is just that, advice. It is NOT an offence to reverse into a road. Unwise, maybe, but not an offence.
It could, however, be construed as careless driving or even dangerous driving, according to the circumstances, and these ARE offences.
Delighted to see people reading the Highway Code, but just as a guide if the rule refers to the law it will say you MUST/ MUST NOT do something or other, and the relevant references to the legislation are given underneath.
2007-07-05 05:46:42 · answer #3 · answered by champer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you find that a Police Officer can give a ticket for dangerous driving if he feels that you could endanger someone with your reversing. The reversing onto a highway may not be an offence but the manner, traffic conditions, lack of visability and of course a Police Officer witnessing the offence cold be.
Always safer to reverse onto your driveway from the main road. Simple as
2007-07-04 19:59:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Highway code (UK). Is it illegal to reverse onto?
a main road ?. There seems to be some dispute about what the highway code states in regard to reversing onto a main road (from say, a private driveway or side road) I was stopped by the Police for doing so, so have always thought it was an offence. can anyone please clarify ?
2015-08-10 21:48:04 · answer #5 · answered by Christoper 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
177: Do not reverse from a side road into a main road. When using a driveway, reverse in and drive out if you can.
Thats from the Highway Code!
2007-07-04 19:47:35 · answer #6 · answered by Sal*UK 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
There are times when you HAVE to reverse onto a main road. If you live on a main road, at some stage you, family or friends will have to reverse on to it. The main thing is to do it sensibly.
My Dad has worked on the roads for well over 30 years now, and him (and his colleagues) regularly have to reverse there works van (with trailer) onto main roads. And he has NEVER been told off the police.
2007-07-05 03:32:47 · answer #7 · answered by k 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if its dangerous driving, which means if you reverse out of a driveway you go with the traffic, regardless of which way you need to go.
As for reversing into a main road from a small road, you probably would get in trouble because its not necessary to do.
2007-07-05 08:26:56 · answer #8 · answered by futuretopgun101 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should not reverse out of a side road onto a main road but its ok to reverse off your drive cos you are not crossing give way lines
2007-07-04 19:48:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would you reserve onto a main road? That is super dangerous as 1. you can't see what's coming and 2. if it's main road it'll probably be coming at speed, so it could constitute careless or, more seriously, dangerous driving.
Reverse into your drive/side street and then drive out - simple.
2007-07-05 00:17:52 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋