Double trouble on city's streets

IT is a practice which is irritating, selfish, and could even cost a life.

Yet while the city's parking enforcers are quick to pounce on motorists who have over-stayed by minutes or inadvertently strayed on to a yellow line, they are powerless to combat the hardcore band of double- parkers.

Fire crews across the city have been forced to make detours or carry equipment past double-parked cars, adding precious minutes to emergency response times.

Elsewhere, there's a growing problem with carelessly parked vehicles causing congestion, and which forces cyclists out into the middle of the road.

Today, city council chiefs released a list of 20 streets which are among the worst for careless parking as they launched a "Kerb Your Enthusiasm" campaign in a bid to educate motorists about the dangers.

They are also lobbying the Scottish Government for a change in the laws to allow the city's parking attendants to dish out £60 fines to offenders.

Currently, the police have to deal with vehicles which are causing an obstruction, but as officers often have other policing priorities, many go unchecked.

The campaign, which will see thousands of leaflets given to residents and drivers, today won the backing of all of the emergency services, who warned the practice was putting lives at risk. Jim Fraser, a group manager with Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, said lessons still had not been learned from an incident in May 2005, when 18 residents were trapped in a burning building in Waverley Park, near Meadowbank.

Emergency vehicles were delayed on their way to fight the fire when they had to squeeze their vehicles between rows of double-parked cars.

He explained: "That was a really serious fire and the delay meant substantial damage was caused to the building.

"Fortunately there was nobody seriously injured as a result, but people need to realise they are potentially putting lives in danger when they double park.

"It is definitely getting worse across the city and this is increasingly frustrating for firefighters. We have the option of bouncing the cars out of the way but this is both time and labour-intensive."

Peter Connor, head of the Lothian region of the Scottish Ambulance Service, added: "The implications of double parking can be catastrophic if it delays an ambulance en route to a life-threatening call. This is a very important campaign, and hopefully, people will take heed of its message and act accordingly."

According to parking chiefs, Leith, Abbeyhill, Merchiston, Comely Bank and Dalry are among the worst areas for double parking. Double parking or parking on pavements are not specific offences, but police and parking wardens can have unattended vehicles towed away. Drivers must then pay £150 to get their vehicle back.

The driver may also be reported for an obstruction or dangerous parking offence, and the penalties for these offences are a £30 fine and a £60 fine with three penalty points respectively.

Parking attendants can issue tickets to double-parked vehicles if they are parked next to yellow lines, but drivers often successfully appeal against these fines.

Councillor Phil Wheeler, the city's transport leader, said: "Double parking and parking on pavements is irresponsible and I hope that drivers will learn that from this campaign.

"It can put people's lives at risk as well as costing money when damaged pavements have to be repaired because vehicles have been parked on them."

Parking on pavements can also put people's lives at risk by forcing wheelchair users and prams into the road to get past vehicles.

Faye Gatenby, of Capability Scotland, said: "It is often difficult for people who use wheelchairs.

"Obstacles such as drivers double parking and parking in front of dropped pavements can turn what should be a straightforward trip into a hazardous expedition.

"As a society, it is our responsibility to make sure our towns and cities are accessible.

"If we don't, disabled people will be discouraged from using them either for work or leisure and businesses and service providers will lose out on potential customers and employees."

She added: "We hope this campaign will make people think about the impact their actions could have on other people in the city and will encourage everyone to be more considerate when they are parking their cars."

In London, police have passed responsibility for dealing with double parking to councils.

It is understood that informal talks have been taking place between the city council and Holyrood over the last two years, but the Government today revealed it was still waiting for a formal approach on the matter.

However, a spokesman said they would welcome the "decriminalisation" of double parking, as it would allow the police to concentrate on front line duties.

COURTESY COSTS NOTHING
BEING considerate when parking is just one of many things to remember to be a courteous driver. Organisations across the world have their own views on points of road etiquette, but some advice is echoed across the board.

• Pay extra attention to children and motorbikes.

• Don't tailgate other vehicles.

• Avoid excessive use of the horn, loud music and unnecessary revving of the engine.

• Resist the urge to make gestures at other road users.

Neil Greig, Scottish Policy Manager for the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: "Respect is a big thing. Drivers should treat other drivers how they would like to be treated."

• Edinburgh City Council website