worried

[sad old git]

Hello.I live in a street of terraced houses and share a back lane with an opposite street.I keep my car garaged (due to vandalism) but need to take it out each day and return later in the day. My problem is that my neighbours let their small children run up and down the lane on their little trikes and some times motorised bikes.Sometimes if the weather is good the neighbours get out their deck chairs and sunan bathe or have a party.My question is what happens if I come round the corner,very slowly I might add and bump one of these children or worse. I really need to know the legalities of "back lane laws" so I know where I stand if something happens. .S.O.G

[brenda]

SOG-----read your post with some interest.There are many streets such as you describe where I live , an old mining village.I am not a legal person ,but am doubtful that there are specific "back street laws".
These lanes must form part of the road network where you are and be used for other vehicles as well , such as Ambulances , fire engines , delivery and workmans vans, and so on.
All these drivers will need to be as careful as you are as they go about their normal routines.
Children will always play in these lanes ,and whilst it may not be the wisest place,the responsibility for their care is ultimately that of their parents.
All I think you can do is to be as careful and vigilant as you can as you drive along the back lane.
If an accident were to occur , heaven forbid , then I think the normal proceedures for any accident would apply.
It must be a really tense situation for you every time you need to move your car , but I am not sure what can be done about the matter if anything.I am sorry not to be more helpful .Best of luck.

[brenda]

A further thought -- maybe your local council would be able to tell you more specific details about these lanes if there are any .

[ummmm]

Bib your horn before turning.

[boxtops]

I am sure you will have right of way, if it is an access to your garage. It sounds like a public right of way so your neighbours need to recognise it as such, it all sounds quite friendly at the moment. Do you know the neighbours? if so I wonder if you could say to them what you have said to us, about your concerns that you need to bring the car in. It's the motorised bike bit that concerns me - we used to have some private waste land behind us and the bikes became a real nuisance. Keep an eye on that bit - if it's actually classified as highway, then the kids would need a licence for a motorised bike... I applaud you for recognising the need to be careful - as umm says, if in doubt, hoot!

[ummmm]

I've always had back alleys at the rear.....I hoot when pulling out to the street as you can't see. Same with turning in.

[joko]

maybe flash your headlights too...and go very very slowly

[sad old git]

Thank you all for your help. As you suggested maybe the local council could give some advice on the problem. I try to give as much notice as possible when coming out into the lane and when returning; as ummm says a slight bip on the horn. So far things have been ok but with the start of the school holidays I tend to get a bit worried. I accept and respect that the children have to have somewhere to play (we played on bomb sites but there wasn't much traffic then) but I hope that the parents DO realise that they are responsible for their childrens safety and if I speak to them diplomatically about it I won't get a load of flak and get shot down in flames.Thank you all again. S.O.G