Finding parking spaces in busy or central areas can prove nearly impossible or extremely complicated. Faced with this challenge, however, some citizens in Spain are resorting to the controversial trick of “reserving” a parking space for one driver and denying other vehicles access. This can result not only in a fine but also in a legal dispute.
In the municipality of Talavera de la Reina in Toledo, the media reported on a similar situation that led to a massive dispute. A man parked in a space that a woman had reserved for her daughter. This sparked a heated debate, both on and off screen: Is “reserving” a parking space legal or not?
What does the Road Safety Act say?
The Road Safety Act stipulates that pedestrians must obey all traffic signs and may not stop on the road or shoulder unless a suitable space is available. Therefore, occupying a parking space violates this rule and can be punished with a fine.
In this specific case, the woman in question refused to vacate her space when a man attempted to park there. She sat on the hood of his car. The man then began to move forward a few centimeters to clear the line of waiting vehicles and eventually parked. Outraged that her space had been “stolen,” she slapped the hood and insulted the driver.
After several minutes of heated argument and insults, the man finally managed to park. The woman threatened to call the Guardia Civil to determine “who was in the right.” According to the regulations of the General Directorate of Traffic, “reserving” a parking space can be considered a violation, as public roads are intended for both vehicles and pedestrians. Blocking a parking space could impede and disrupt mobility.
Fines for “Reserving” a Parking Space
Parking in places where there is a road can pose a risk to traffic and is a violation of traffic safety laws. “Reserving” a parking space, as happened in Talavera, can result in a fine. The lightest penalty for this practice is €80.
If an already parked vehicle blocks two parking spaces and disrupts the normal flow of other vehicles, the fine can be up to €200. In such cases, citizens may even have to resort to a towing service. In addition to the possibility of a fine, reserving parking spaces on public roads can lead to incidents like the one in the video. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to contact the police to report this practice.
