Would you clamp someone Else's car?

Question

I recently went abroad for a week. On the morning I got up to drive to the airport someone had parked across my drive and I couldnt get out. I had to order a taxi, repack my lugage and pay for a 70 mile journey to the airport (and back a week later). If I had a wheel clamp I might have put it on the car - would you have done that ?

Answer 1

Probably not. Although it happens a lot here in the UK, the car owner might have rights to sue for something like ‘trespass to property’. Some car owners would get very mad and being claimed by a private person. I guess clamping isn’t common in the USA, because the car owners probably own guns.

Answer 2

The last person that parked across my driveway was a very unhappy bunny by the time I had finished with him.

Came out of the front door one morning to find a Vauxhall Vectra parked completely across the entrance, and as its a shared access nobody could get in or out.

We contacted the police and after half an hour (quick huh?) they arrived only to tell us they didn't know who the car belonged to and couldn't contact anyone.

They also advised that they couldn't remove it without sticking a lable on it for 24 hours as it wasn't causing an obstruction on the main road, and off they went on their way.

At this point, 3 people are waiting to get out not including myself, so out came faithful Land Rover, which was driven over the back fields and out onto the main road.

Backed the Landy up to the side of the Vauxhall and attached meaty tow rope to front of car and proceded to drag it round 90 degrees until the front was now sticking out into the middle of the road and freeing our driveway.

Phoned the feds to report an obstruction and it was amazing how quickly they got it removed then.

So in your case, Yes I would have clamped it, and I would have waited for the owner to get shirty and lay a small claims court summons on him for the inconvenience.

Answer 3

if the car is parked illegally on private land, and there are adequate signs informing of the potential clamping then you cna clamp a car

otherwise you cannot.. its illegal

it doens't matter how much that selfish t*t cost you, arguably you could sue them for compo (assuming you had enough evidence.. a photo or two would help, a witness statement would help), but I wouldn't hold my breath.

even if you did you would have to subtract the cost of the journey + parking had you driven to the airport yourself.

Answer 4

had the same sort of situation as Rook... but it was an A#*$e of an estate agent showing a "client" around the house next door that shares MY drive.

Asked him nicely to move his Audi A6 ..nothing....asked again, not so nicely, pointing out that I have aCherokee with a VERY STRONG bull bar. Muppet made the mistake of saying "You wouldn`t dare"     WRONG ANSWER,  result,

one Audi with no front bumper and the cops (who he called !) basicaly said to him "Tough, you were blocking the right of way"

Answer 5

yes and no

i would love to but some crazy people might retaliate hardcore and find you and smash your car or kill you! next time that happens just stick your key in his keyslot and on some cars that will set off the alarm, in other words make his alarm come off make him come out.

Answer 6

No, I'd have found out who the car belonged to and made them move it. I'm not sure if it is legal for you to clamp other cars, even if they are in your way outside of your property

Answer 7

I totally sympathise with you, unfortunately if you had a wheel clamp, and used it, you would probably find that you would be in more trouble than the a*****e who blocked your drive.

I had a 4x4 park right accross my drive last Friday morning so I could not get out.  Two hours after i discovered it the owner returned, a 'Lady' with a couple of bags of shopping.

When, with remarkable restraint I pointed out quite calmly that she was causing an obstruction SHE got very narky and said it was a public highway and she could park any where she liked!  Lovely Lady!

In  your case, considering the inconvenience and expense you were being put to, just before the taxi was due to arrive, i would have popped out and let the air out of all 4 tyres!

Answer 8

i would have got few mates around, and bumped it into the middle of the road -  then some 1 would have phoned the council got it removed,  sod paying £ 70 quid u mug!

Answer 9

Here in the States, private people can't put boots (we call them boots, we call boots trunks) on other people's cars.  If you managed to obtain one and used it, you'd be headed for a pile of trouble.

Answer 10

YE that sopunds awesome i would do that it would be FUN and i like taking my anger out on poeple