Okay, I have a stupid question about driving. Say you're in a parking lot and you see a spot. You pull in, and the spot in front of it is also open. So, you pull through the open spot you first saw and park in the one in front. Is this illegal? I was in a debate with someone about it.
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Is this illegal?
- Thread starter AdamL
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I hope it's legal because I do this all the time.
It's easier to park and when you want to exit you don't have to reverse out.
It's easier to park and when you want to exit you don't have to reverse out.
I can't imagine a reason why it wouldn't be legal. A parking lot is not a roadway, so the only rules that apply to driving there should just be the basic right-of-way rules.
Regardless of whether it's officially legal or not, it's completely legal in the everyday sense of the word, meaning you'll never ever ever get in legal trouble for doing it. There are zillions of crazy laws on the books that aren't enforced that say things like you may not wash a goat in an apartment bathtub or other weirdness like that. If it's not an enforced law, then for all intents and purposes it's legal.
Regardless of whether it's officially legal or not, it's completely legal in the everyday sense of the word, meaning you'll never ever ever get in legal trouble for doing it. There are zillions of crazy laws on the books that aren't enforced that say things like you may not wash a goat in an apartment bathtub or other weirdness like that. If it's not an enforced law, then for all intents and purposes it's legal.
Pulling in the spot in front you when parking is just an easy way of getting out of reverse parking 
... for some reason there's still is people out there that have a lot of trouble with that.
Still, I hope is not illegal... I've done that in 2 different countries as of today
... for some reason there's still is people out there that have a lot of trouble with that.Still, I hope is not illegal... I've done that in 2 different countries as of today
I don't think it is (or can be) illegal. I've been told in the past (not sure if it's true) that due to the fact that parking lots are private property they are only as enforceable as the owner of the lot wants to make them so accidents and violations of signs in the lot are handled differently by police.
However in a straight lot I don't see a problem, in angled parking it should be illegal since angled lots are designed to be backed out of and do not allow for an easy turn to drive the correct direction if you pull through.
However in a straight lot I don't see a problem, in angled parking it should be illegal since angled lots are designed to be backed out of and do not allow for an easy turn to drive the correct direction if you pull through.
It cannot be illegal (in the US at least) on private property.
But often it is considered inconsiderate to do so, namily because its hard to see arround other cars, so if there is another person trying to pull into that spot from the other end, you run the risk of stealing their space, and ore crashing into them
But often it is considered inconsiderate to do so, namily because its hard to see arround other cars, so if there is another person trying to pull into that spot from the other end, you run the risk of stealing their space, and ore crashing into them
Run stop signs, yes. Smash cars no. By smashing a car you would then be encroaching on that persons personal property.
I believe it is difficult to do something illegal in a parking lot driving wise short of parking in a handicap parking spot or running into other cars or people...
With that said, there are times where it is actually not a good idea to do this. Mainly in a parking lot with one way angled parking with the direction switched every other lane. If you pull through to the next spot, you are angled in the wrong direction to leave your spot easily. Even then, if you drive the wrong way
With that said, there are times where it is actually not a good idea to do this. Mainly in a parking lot with one way angled parking with the direction switched every other lane. If you pull through to the next spot, you are angled in the wrong direction to leave your spot easily. Even then, if you drive the wrong way
Run stop signs, yes. Crash into people, yes, but you'll be paying for the damages.
it legal to do that. it is not legal to start crossing the parking lot though a bunch of parking spot.
It'll get you a ticket if you do it on a lot at my university. Since parking passes are on the rear windows, the meter maids would actually have to get out of their car and walk around to see who has a pass or not if you pulled through
Really annoys me, because in any other lot, I do it every chance I can get
Really annoys me, because in any other lot, I do it every chance I can get
Many traffic laws can be enforced by police on private property that is open to the general public...DUI and reckless driving being a couple of the most notable. In many areas, property owners can also request that certain laws be enforced...there's usually a sign at the entrance of the lot stating that if it has been requested and granted.
It's not illegal, but it could be hazardous in that a driver pulling into the spot that you are planning to occupy could assume that you are going to occupy the space you're moving through.
Does that make sense
Does that make sense
it not exactly same type of private property as you see it. It also considered public area. This gives the cops more room to enforce. They can sit in a parking lot and clock cars, pull them over and what not. The cops and will still ticket you for doing something like that. Most of the time they will just pull you over and lecture you that it is against the law and it is not safe.
Running a stop sign in a parking lot is a ticket able offense. All the place has to do is agree ahead of time to allow cops to do that and most of the time they have no issue with it and would rather see people punished for it. I have seen cops pull people over in a parking lot and right them a ticket it. Now the cop was in the parking lot because they had stop at one of the stores.
Is anybody here actually a lawyer? The above response seems the most lawyerly to me.
I don't know much about law, but the one thing I have learned (from talking to lawyers) is that everything is incredibly nuanced, and almost nothing makes any sense.
I would guess that the "is this legal?" question actually has an incredibly complex answer, and depends on which jurisdiction you are in and numerous other factors such as the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow.
I'll be rude if you like. Starting a thread as dumb as this must be illegal.
Just messing. The only thing I can think of that makes you think it may be illegal is the fact you are crossing a solid white line? If thats the case then how the heck would you deal with a stop sign?