Overview

• Highway Code Rule 248 prohibits parking facing oncoming traffic at night unless the vehicle is in a marked bay.
• Reported penalties reach up to £1,000 for cars and up to £2,500 for vans and minibuses, according to industry guidance.
• Select Car Leasing’s Graham Conway says cars parked the wrong way are harder to see because rear reflectors do not face approaching headlights.
• Media reports cite police willingness to enforce the rule and note that many motorists remain unaware, particularly on narrow or residential streets.
• Suggested steps include parking in the direction of travel, choosing marked bays where possible, and considering visibility in unlit areas, with salvage firms reporting frequent night-time write-offs.