Car slid down a hill and....

[jonnyboy]

When I went to Biggin Hill a couple of weeks ago to collect the new wheels for our w220 (the subject of another current thread on valve caps!) I parked my w124 estate on the chap's drive which was a slight gradient then levelling off which is where I parked, with the car in P and the brake on. It was clear of snow, just a slight covering of frost, and was a block paved driveway.
Came out after ten minutes to find the car halfway into the road, completely across the pavement. Scared the crap out of me, imagine if someone had been walking along...

 

[JumboBeef]

the pawl can be broken and shouldnt be used alone, especially on a hill.
Also if the car is parked with handbrake on and someone knocks into it... new gearbox time.

It is also illegal not to use a park brake.

 

[andy_k]

It is also illegal not to use a park brake.

are you sure?

Not one that I've ever heard of

It's illegal not to have one but I don't think you are legally required to use it when you park

 

[JumboBeef]

are you sure?

Not one that I've ever heard of

It's illegal not to have one but I don't think you are legally required to use it when you park

Rule 239 of the Highway Code:

Use off-street parking areas, or bays marked out with white lines on the road as parking places, wherever possible. If you have to stop on the roadside

• do not park facing against the traffic flow
• stop as close as you can to the side
• do not stop too close to a vehicle displaying a Blue Badge: remember, the occupant may need more room to get in or out
• you MUST switch off the engine, headlights and fog lights
• you MUST apply the handbrake before leaving the vehicle
• you MUST ensure you do not hit anyone when you open your door. Check for cyclists or other traffic
• it is safer for your passengers (especially children) to get out of the vehicle on the side next to the kerb
• put all valuables out of sight and make sure your vehicle is secure
• lock your vehicle

 

[BlackC55]

Thats the highway code not the Law.

 

[JumboBeef]

Thats the highway code not the Law.

It is the law:

Many of the rules in the Code are legal requirements, and if you disobey these rules you are committing a criminal offence. You may be fined, given penalty points on your licence or be disqualified from driving. In the most serious cases you may be sent to prison. Such rules are identified by the use of the words ‘MUST/MUST NOT’. In addition, the rule includes an abbreviated reference to the legislation which creates the offence. An explanation of the abbreviations can be found in 'The road user and the law'.

 

[renault12ts]

It is the Highway Code as you say...but when the word "must" is used in the Highway Code it means MUST.

 

[crockers]

Anyhow I don't have a handbrake -- I have a parking brake...how am I supposed to apply it with my hand..

 

[219]

Whilst I agree it is a legal requirement to use a parking brake whilst parked on the road , I would normally not leave it on if the car is parked off road on a reasonably level surface and it is either very cold , with the danger of the shoes freezing on ( I have heard of this happening ) or if the car is going to be left standing for a long time ( more than a day or two ( to avoid unneccessary stretching of the cables as well as shoes sticking on ) I have experienced siezed-on brakes on classic cars which have not moved for lengthy periods - if you are lucky you can rev up and try to move the car which may result in the brakes coming off with a bang , or may not !

If parking in a level bay at the side of a road with minimal danger of car rolling away , you can comply with the law by applying parking brake minimally and using park or low gear to hold car .

I do tend to employ a belt & braces approach if parked on steep hills : parking brake firmly applied ; park or manual gear which would cause uphill movement ; wheels turned towards kerb .

 

[horsesuitedfool]

Rule 239 of the Highway Code:

Use off-street parking areas, or bays marked out with white lines on the road as parking places, wherever possible. If you have to stop on the roadside

• do not park facing against the traffic flow
• stop as close as you can to the side
• do not stop too close to a vehicle displaying a Blue Badge: remember, the occupant may need more room to get in or out
• you MUST switch off the engine, headlights and fog lights
• you MUST apply the handbrake before leaving the vehicle
• you MUST ensure you do not hit anyone when you open your door. Check for cyclists or other traffic
• it is safer for your passengers (especially children) to get out of the vehicle on the side next to the kerb
• put all valuables out of sight and make sure your vehicle is secure
• lock your vehicle

Most mercs dont have handbrakes so we must be above the law....