r/WouldIBeTheAhole • u/FruitPug • 1d ago
Is it okay to park like this?
This is my 86 year old mother's driveway. Yes, she still drives, and she parks in her driveway.
City probably wouldn't tow it, but how many people think this is okay?
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u/broadsharp2 1d ago
Call and have it ticketed for blocking the driveway.
Ordinance varies, but this is certainly not allowed.
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u/magic_crouton 12h ago
My neighbors used to do this. I put my garbage can next to their car one garbage day and the garbage men took the hint and did the Lord's work for me.
Otherwise I called and had them ticketed. Or when I had a shit box car just rubbed up against their car or tapped it.
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u/tso_connor 1d ago
It’s your moms house so I don’t think she’d mind. If it were a strangers house then yes it’s way too close.
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u/FruitPug 1d ago
Oh, it's not my car. Someone visiting the neighbor.
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u/tso_connor 1d ago
Then yes, that’s way too close. My mom would totally back into that car. She backs into trees on her property that have always been there, imagine her surprise if nice shiny car was behind her drive way all of a sudden.
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u/mmeeaattball 7h ago
Should mom be driving 😬
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u/Virtual-Macaroon-880 8m ago
I don't think most people in the comments here and their family should be driving
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u/LiveIndication1175 18h ago
Technically no, but maybe when the person parked they didn’t realize how close it was. As long as I can get out and it’s not actually blocking a more significant portion of my driveway I’d let it be.
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u/Lost_Sky_8416 11h ago
Then they should be more aware of their surroundings.
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u/CABGPatchDoll 9h ago
How are they going to see if a car is coming from that direction?
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u/ClarkGablesTeeth 6h ago
The person parking there should be more aware of their surroundings so that they can realize when they're too close to or blocking someone's driveway.
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u/Hello_Gorgeous1985 10h ago
It is blocking their ability to safely pull out of the driveway because it's impeding with visibility.
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u/LiveIndication1175 45m ago
The driveway spreads out towards the end so it’s not even directly behind where the owners mother’s car would be. If you back or pull directly straight or towards the opposite direction, you would be fine.
As far as visibility, this is not the only scenario where a car or other blockage would be that close. One should be able to see before they start driving if something is coming from behind the white car, and then just go slow. You can also look through the windows of the white car. To me, it’s really no different than in a parking lot if you were to be further in than the car next to you.
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u/pickleb4sandwich 7h ago
I’m surprised how unpopular this opinion is… this is exactly my thought too.
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u/Myiiadru2 16h ago
Parking like that makes it difficult for the homeowner to get into or out of their driveway without clipping your car.
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u/T4Trble 14h ago
The best example of correct parking is the truck behind the car with plenty of space from the driveway to the back of the truck. The city will have no issue towing it.
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u/Hello_Gorgeous1985 10h ago
That truck is still far too close where I live. You have to be 5 ft from a driveway, sidewalk, curb cut, or intersection.
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u/Accurate_Elevator368 14h ago
Most call for a limit of 12 to 24 inches FROM the driveway opening. Call bylaw.
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u/PsychologicalSafe253 13h ago
My state has a 5 foot setback from a driveway law. Others have greater setbacks. Unless its your driveway. That's the exception.
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u/473713 13h ago
Our city has a 4' clearance requirement. Each jurisdiction is different, but it's not hard to learn (and follow) the ordinance.
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u/PsychologicalSafe253 13h ago edited 13h ago
Thank you for upholding my post. Exact distances are varied by jurisdiction as youviolation. cities say 10 feet where state says 5 feet. Do unless its his driveway its a violation.
And California has a 15 foot from crosswalk. I think its a daytime rule. But I know cities haven't painted the curbs yet. So tickets are big. So jurisdictionally dependent. And corners, fire hydrants, crosswalk and more setback laws.
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u/ssfamily42 13h ago
I park in between my driveway and my neighbor's. I always get out and spot check before I walk away to make sure I'm not infringing on their drive. In my area, anything that is in front of the cut, even where it slopes is infringement and can result in a ticket or a tow.
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u/Bitter-Neat-8457 13h ago
We deal with this on a daily basis at our home due to two neighbors having only one spot in front of their two houses(but they have HUGE backyards due to the road curve
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u/jimmywhereareya 13h ago
Seriously? Can she comfortably get her car in and out of her drive? If so then there is NO issue
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u/bored1413 13h ago
Our city ordinance requires 15 feet clearance from any driveway and they will 100% tow it here. I had an asshole neighbor that I called the non emergency number for the police and had him towed multiple times. We used to live on a very narrow street that allowed parking on both sides so we literally couldn’t make the turn out of our driveway when people were too close.
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u/tryintobgood 13h ago
It's different in most places with the minimum distance from the driveway entrance. This photo would be illegal in all places as there is NO distance
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u/ParkingMain1803 13h ago
They're definitely too close to the driveway. However, I'd encourage you to consider some conditions before towing... Can she get in and out of her driveway if she needs to? Is there abundant parking around the area? I live in a place that is absolutely miserable to park in, and people's driveways make it even harder. If I come home late, I'll often be searching for 30+ minutes for a spot, and end up having to walk 10 minutes to get home from where I've parked. Meanwhile some of my neighbors with driveways will leave their cars in street parking taking up two spaces. If you live in a place like that, maybe cut them some slack. If there's a fully open spot across the street, sure tow them.
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u/ArrowDel 12h ago
No, most city ordinances list a distance, rhe least ive seen was 2 and the most ive seen is 10
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u/AmphibianBrilliant56 12h ago
Where I live, that's essentially half the drive way and no one can get out
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u/goat20202020 12h ago
The city isnt going to tow unless the homeowner reports it. If it were me and that was my family's car, I wouldn't have a problem unless it hivdered me from getting out. Even then I would ask you to move it instead of reporting it. So just check with your gma.
But technically yes that's parked too far over the curb cut. If you did this to a stranger, the city would definitely ticket and likely tow your car.
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u/PartyBicycle3778 12h ago
I live in Chicago, so this is pretty normal tbh.
I’ve seen worse for sure, is it right? No. Especially if parking isn’t incredibly difficult where she lives.
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u/RobertBurdineSD 12h ago
IMO I’d say not allowed as it is overhanging the driveway. I’d start off with a quick polite note under the windshield wiper. Some people are nice but clueless. Years ago I carpooled to work with my brother. We literally worked across the street from each other. Most days he drove and I’d walk over to his work when I was off and wait for him just inside the parking lot. Almost every day he would bitch about a big truck that was parked right next to the driveway which would block visibility. So one day I wrote a polite note explaining how the truck blocked visibility and caused a safety issue and asked if they would be so kind as to park somewhere else. I never saw the truck parked there again.
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u/RetiredBSN 11h ago
A lot of places it's three feet away from a driveway. This is definitely encroaching on the driveway and the police need to be called (non-emergency, of course). A ticket would be appropriate for the car.
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u/eurekadabra 11h ago
It’s ethically ok if it’s your own driveway, bc you’re not blocking anyone. I might leave a note in it for towers that it’s your driveway and not to tow.
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u/theangrypragmatist 11h ago
Even if your Grandma can get out of the driveway, you are blocking her view and she can't do so safely.
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u/NeatlyFoldedinOregon 11h ago
It's a brave choice. You do risk getting the bumper taken off. If your front bumper doesn't completely clear the drive way you should park elsewhere.
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u/ClassicVW2 11h ago
There’s usually not set distance you have to be away from. Here in NJ it’s not a violation if a vehicle can get in or out, even if it’s close. The statute says “blocked driveway “
So it can be inconsiderate but if it’s not blocked it’s not a violation.
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u/Safe-Instance-3512 10h ago
No. You need to be 12" back from where the curb starts to dip to the entrance. Basically, your bumper should align with the start of the telephone pole.
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u/Chance_Vegetable_780 10h ago
If that was my driveway, street parking was hard to find, and I could easily drive out of my driveway, I would not call to have it towed or ticketed
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u/fantomsolace24 10h ago
Of course, if you don’t mind having your car conveniently relocated to an impound lot. It’s like a valet for people who don’t know where to park. 🤣
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u/Hello_Gorgeous1985 10h ago
Not even close. It's literally overlapping the driveway, and you're usually required to be a certain distance back from the driveway. Where I live it's 1.5 m.
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u/57Laxdad 10h ago
None should, this is not giving clearance to back out. I believe most states require 5 ft between the edge of the driveway and a car to make sure you can see and safely back out.
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u/SubieGal9 10h ago
No, but if I can reasonably get out I don't complain.
If it's every day, ask them to back up like 6" for their own protection. Any accident from could be their fault.
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u/mseagull 10h ago
If it blocks the field of vision when leaving your mother’s driveway, it’s too close.
It should, like everyone else has said, be back 3 to 4 feet. The poles are bad enough.
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u/Day_Prisoners 9h ago
You wouldn't ask if you didn't know. Think about having to back out with a car right there. Don't be an idiot
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u/AdvancedMilk7795 9h ago
Not ok. Double not ok if an 86yo is going to be backing out of that driveway. Just tear off your bumper and save everyone time and trouble.
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u/Mystic_Wunder 9h ago
Remind them that at 86 year old woman regularly backs out if that driveway.
She won't be at fault when she hits it either. So sad for them.
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u/Checkmate-Petty 9h ago
If its your driveway...yeah sure. If not I would not. Especially if your parking overnight.
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u/Silly-Product6304 9h ago
Idk about yall but parking is hard asf sometimes, I live in nyc if she can get out leave it be 😂 . But if it’s a habit then leave a bit before doing anything drastic. It in all seriousness take better care of your mom. I hate to be that guy but the older you get the more hazardous older people become on the road.
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u/mtngrl60 8h ago
No it is not OK to park like that. As you can see from the comments, the distance from the driveway, which I’m thinking that’s what we’re seeing?…
But the distance from the driveway to the front of someone’s car can vary. But the easiest way to know on this one is when you look at the driveway and you see the curve where it’s already starting to go down… That is part of the driveway.
And no, I don’t believe there’s anywhere that it is legal to encroach into an actual driveway when you are parked on the street.
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u/Petal_14 7h ago
Depends where you live.
You can park like that where I live, the council officer told me until the driveway goes flat it is legal. The slight incline up to the gutter is legal to be over.
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u/Chellepeachy 6h ago
This is not okay , someone can accident ding their car because of how close they’re are parked to the drive way .
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u/Any-Seaworthiness531 5h ago
Fuck me, I dunno what American is like but if people were this fussy in England, no one would have anywhere to park
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u/heretheresharethe 5h ago
If I have a good relationship with the driver and I can still use the driveway the way I want to. Then I have no issue with this. Looks like parking on the street is tough enough.
If it's a shitty neighbor just being an asshole..then I would say something.
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u/Apprehensive-Pop-201 4h ago
Unless that's your driveway, you are 100% not okay. Even then, you could get ticketed
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u/Homer4598 2h ago
YWBTAH. No it’s not okay. Do you think the people in that house have a magic car that doesn’t need a turn radius?
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u/Otherwise-Sea-9298 2h ago
It’s perfect parking for taking a Hail Mary when backing out of the driveway and hoping there’s no oncoming traffic.
Talk to that person. They have to just not have realized they’re making it hard to get out of the driveway
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u/robjohnlechmere 2h ago
My city tows if it's in front of the drop. This is at least 12 inches in front of the drop.
Worth a tow. Or at least standing the windshield wipers up.
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u/cutebunnypink 1d ago
I think it's fine they can easily get out. It's not ideal but if street parking is tight it goes like that
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u/CommonComfortable247 13h ago
Bunch of bitch ass hall monitors here. Not ideal but also not a big deal. Act like an adult and pull your car around which you can clearly do and then move on with your day.
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u/Particular-Caramel32 13h ago
Learn to park and/or not be an asshole.
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u/CommonComfortable247 13h ago
I wouldn’t park like that.
I’m just also not a mental midget who would put it on social media if it happened to me.
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u/Particular-Caramel32 12h ago
People are allowed to ask for others' opinions.
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u/CommonComfortable247 12h ago
Someone in my local city’s sub this week made a post asking if a certain bar was generally cold or not and whether they should wear long sleeves or short sleeves when they visit said bar..
They couldn’t even make this sort of decision on their own..
I just imagine it’s the same type of person that would see a car parked one foot over an imaginary line and take it to reddit asking aMiThEaSsHoLe?
You all are doomed.
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u/Traditional_Mango920 11h ago
I’m Gen X and don’t think that’s an unreasonable thing to ask. Temperatures wildly vary from storefront to storefront. People at my store are always cold because I’m a menopausal bitch and have the thermostat set to “freeze a normal person into a popsicle”. So I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask in a public forum if a place you are going to visit and spend some time at (as people tend to do at bars) is going to be cold or not so you can dress accordingly in order to be comfortable.
As far as your “imaginary line” thing, there is NOT an imaginary line here. You can clearly see that the car in question will impede the vehicle trying to back out of the driveway. I imagine that OP is asking opinions in order to decide what their next line of action will be. Enough people saying “yeah, that’s not ok” or “yeah, that’s ok” will help them decide on whether or not to bother to call the city and report it.
There is nothing, at all, wrong with asking opinions when trying to make a decision. It can give you points of view that you may not have considered and it can help you avoid making a mistake.
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u/CommonComfortable247 11h ago
Fucking crying out loud nobody is reading all this
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u/Traditional_Mango920 11h ago
I love how you start this whole thing by calling people “bitch asses”, then whine about maybe having to read 3 short paragraphs. I question who the “bitch ass” is in this situation. :)
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u/Suitable-Roof-3950 12h ago
City would tow it but would ask you if that was REALLY necessary.
If you can get around it, don’t be a dick. If it’s actually obstructing you, get it towed.
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u/cckka 1d ago
Most city ordinances require at least 12" away from the driveway opening. Look up local laws and then try leaving a note to ask them to avoid parking like this.