Parking at night
We're here in Kettering at Telford Way today with safety banners finally being erected after the tragic death in 2023 of Kettering born, 23-year-old, Kelsey Walsh.
It may seem like a small detail, but when you park facing the wrong way at night you're creating a serious hazard.
Vehicles are designed with reflective materials, tail lights, reflectors, and license plates that make them visible from behind where other drivers naturally expect to see them. When a car is parked facing against traffic, its' reflectors are essentially invisible, and headlights from oncoming traffic can actually blind drivers rather than help them see. This becomes especially dangerous on narrow or poorly lit roads. Drivers coming around a bend or cresting a hill aren't expecting a dark silhouette of a vehicle parked the wrong way, and by the time they see it, it just might be too late.
Beyond safety, there are also legal consequences. In many places, parking against traffic flow is illegal and can result in fines, endorsements and even seizures of vehicles. These laws exist not to inconvenience us but to protect us and others on the road. Whilst working on this project, people have commented that they weren't aware of this rule and this may be your reminder to take a review of the Highway Code.
So the next time you're tempted to pull into a space quickly from the wrong direction, stop and think. Take the extra few seconds to park correctly. It's not just about following rules, it's about keeping everyone safe.
The family of a 23-year-old driver killed in a road collision on a Kettering industrial estate have teamed up with Northamptonshire Police and local businesses as part of a new parking safety campaign.
The campaign aims to tackle those drivers who continue to put lives at risk on the Telford Way Industrial Estate in Kettering through dangerous and inconsiderate parking, despite letters raising awareness and repeated fixed penalty notices.
Kelsey's story
Shortly after 6am on January 24, 2023, Kelsey Walsh’s Renault Kangoo Maxi van collided with the front of a stationary trailer which had been left unattended and parked incorrectly on the Telford Way Industrial Estate.
The trailer was parked facing against the flow of traffic meaning its rear reflectors, designed to catch the headlights of oncoming vehicles, were facing the wrong way, leaving it an invisible hazard.
For the past two years, Kelsey’s family have campaigned for change, working with North Northamptonshire Council to ban lorries over five tonnes from parking on the industrial estate.
Kettering’s Neighbourhood Policing team, with the help of the Safer Roads Team and local foodservice company Sysco GB, have created informational banners at the entrances to Telford Way Industrial Estate to raise awareness of Highway Code rules 248 and 250.
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.
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Rule 250
Vehicles and trailers over 2500kg, and all vehicles with projecting loads, MUST NOT be left on a road at night without lights.
Vehicles are designed with reflective materials – taillights, reflectors, and license plates – that make them visible from behind. When a car is parked facing against traffic, these reflectors are invisible, creating dangerous situations on narrow or poorly lit roads.
Drivers coming around a bend or cresting a hill aren’t expecting to see the dark silhouette of a car facing the wrong way, and by the time they see, it might be too late.
Breaches of these rules can result in a fine of up to £2500, penalty points on your license and even disqualification. These rules exist to protect us and others on the road, not to be an inconvenience. Next time you’re tempted to pull into a space from the wrong direction – take a few extra seconds to park correctly, it might save someone’s life.