Living in a house without a driveway can be a parking nightmare, especially when you have multiple cars. While roadside parking might seem like a free-for-all, the reality is you don’t actually own that space, and disputes over parking spots are common among neighbours. This situation has sparked a heated debate after a man in New Jersey found himself frustrated by his neighbour’s parking tactics.
The man, who posted on Reddit, explained that his neighbour recently bought a new car and, with his driveway already full, has been trying to reserve a spot on the road. He’s been using cones to mark out a space, but the issue is, the cones are placed between his neighbour’s house and the house next door, not in front of his own home. This forces other residents on his side of the street to park on the other side, which has caused problems for the man who gets home late and often has to park further away. He expressed his concerns about car break-ins in the area.
The man called the police but didn’t get any resolution. He’s hesitant to move the cones himself, fearing retaliation from his neighbour. Commenters on the post pointed out that placing cones on the road to reserve a parking space is illegal in many places, including New Jersey and the UK. The Highways Act 1980 in the UK explicitly states that obstructing free passage on a highway is a punishable offence.
Many commenters encouraged the man to report the issue to both the police and the local council. Others had their own solutions, suggesting he move the cones to his neighbour’s lawn or even claim them for himself. The frustration over the situation highlighted the increasing sense of entitlement when it comes to parking, with some commenters expressing surprise at the level of selfishness they witnessed.
This incident highlights the challenges of sharing public space and the importance of respecting established rules and regulations, particularly when it comes to parking on public roads.