Be better neighbors: Use common sense, park safely in housing areas off base

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Roads are a lot smaller in England than in the States, and American vehicles are usually much bigger than British vehicles.

This, in turn, causes problems, as many Americans live in the local community and often have at least one large U.S. vehicle per household. Because the streets are narrower in the off-base housing areas, many people tend to park on the sidewalks in order to keep their cars off the road.

However, several vehicles parked in small areas - especially those larger in size - can cause severe issues.

More recently, this is becoming a real concern in the Red Lodge area, where many vehicles are parked either completely on the sidewalks, or areas which can cause a hazard, such as on or near a bend or junction, or outside schools.

The Mildenhall Safer Neighbourhood Team, which also covers the Red Lodge area, received several complaints of American vehicles parking unsafely and causing obstructions. Team Mildenhall Airmen and their families, along with other U.S. active-duty and civilian members, are reminded that it's illegal to cause an obstruction on the road or sidewalk, in accordance with the Highway Code.

The problem is more noticeable in areas where there are large amounts of American-specification vehicles, as they take up more space than most British vehicles.

The following excerpts are from the Highway Code:

Rule 243:
Do not stop or park
· near a school entrance
· anywhere you would prevent access for emergency services vehicles
· opposite or within 10 metres (32 feed) of a junction, except in an authorized parking space
· near the brow of a hill or hump bridge
· where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users and powered mobility vehicles
· in front of an entrance to a property
· on a bend
· where you would obstruct cyclists' use of cycle facilities, except when forced to do so by stationary traffic

Rule 248:
You must not park on a road at night facing against the direction of the traffic flow, unless in a recognised parking space.

"The Mildenhall Safer Neighbourhood Team said a vehicle can park (partly) on a pavement, providing there is room for a double-buggy or invalid carriage to get past safely," said Police Constable Paul Glover, Ministry of Defence community police officer for RAF Mildenhall, RAF Lakenheath and RAF Feltwell from Belfast, Northern Ireland.

"If someone has to physically walk into the road (to get around the vehicle) then you are blocking the pavement. A Section 180 Warning would then be issued, asking the owner to remove the vehicle," Glover said. "If they fail to comply with that, then they can get a fixed-penalty notice for obstruction."

Though the parking issues are by no means caused by service members only, the issues are rife in housing areas mainly occupied by Americans.

"If you're parked opposite someone else's drop curb from their driveway, and they can't get out, then you're obstructing the highway; or if you're forced to have to go into the main road off a cycle lane, then you're also causing an obstruction," Glover said.

He also explained that even if somebody's vehicle is parked in their driveway, if it sticks out onto the pavement, and causes somebody to walk onto the road to get around it, the owner of the vehicle could receive a fine for obstructing the pavement.

"It's really about being considerate," Glover said. "You get people who park opposite their house, then out of spite, somebody else will park in front of their house; that makes it very awkward for cars to get between the two. They then end up blocking the entire road, so no traffic can get through. If there's a fire truck coming down the road, or other emergency vehicle and the road is blocked, (it can cause major problems) and you can get in serious trouble for that."

Upon arrival to RAF Mildenhall, U.S. military, civilians and family members receive an in-depth, local training course on the Highway Code.

"They must pass a written test before they are issued a license to drive in the U.K. In addition, all members receive a copy of the Highway Code," said Master Sgt. Dominic Cilia, 100th Air Refueling Wing ground safety manager.

Cilia added that Air Force members who are 18- to 26-years-old receive additional driver-safety training, both from the safety office, and the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service.

When parking off base, in and around housing areas, whether a resident or just visiting, everyone should ensure they park safely. Park fully in a driveway if you have one. If you have to park on the road, make sure there is enough space on the sidewalk for people to get past, and for emergency vehicles to drive by if necessary.