Legal height for parking signs ?

[Vivienfay]

Please does anyone know if there is a legal height for parking signs?

I recently cut my head open on a parking sign in a local authority car park. I dropped something and as i straightened up I hit my head very hard on this metal parking sign which I am sure should not be at head height but much higher. I now look at all signs and they all seem much higher. High enough to easily walk under.

I wrote to my local council but their reply was

" the signs are of a standard height and size and not regarded as dangerous for anyone taking due care and attention"

I am sure these signs are dangerous and should be raised higher but I cannot find any laws or guidance on statutory heights for signs.

Can anyone help please ? Thank you.

[ashmk]

Take photos and go and speak to a no win no fee company. Ok not the best advice and I'm sure someone would be along soon with a better one but failing that, that is what I would do. Sadly they are the experts in accidents.

[Jamberson]

What outcome are you after? Make the signs safer or get some money? (Serious question)

[green_and_mean]

[Vivienfay]

Thanks Ashmk but did take photo's and asked my solicitor to take this up but she told me that she couldn't find any legal height for signs - she said it was not worth pursuing - don't think it was worth her while financially to be honest.

[filrobbo]

I think the council are liable under health and safety regulations , it's the same as triping over an unevan foot path.

[green_and_mean]

I think the council are liable under health and safety regulations , it's the same as triping over an unevan foot path.

 

Totally ridiculous Councils are not even liable for uneven footways unless proven to be negligent. What are they meant to do raise everything above head height just in case someone bumps their head? What would have happened if you hit your head on a car wing mirror would you be suing Ford or the driver for your own carelessness?

[filrobbo]

So what happens if a child cuts there head on a sign that's to low or a blind person or is that them been careless .

Edited July 28, 2013 by filrobbo

[filrobbo]

A wing mirror is also desined to move so you don't injure your self.

[green_and_mean]

So what happens if a child cuts there head on a sign that's to low or a blind person or is that them been cerless.

 

What is the difference between a sign and anything else at head height? What if a small child runs into a table in McDonalds are you going to sue them for having tables?

[green_and_mean]

A wing mirror is also desined to move so you don't injure your self.

 

[Vivienfay]

What outcome are you after? Make the signs safer or get some money? (Serious question)

 

I want safer signs.

[Vivienfay]

I also thought about blind people . These signs have been positioned too low.

[Vivienfay]

I realise the need for signage but if you look at other signs in supermarket car parks and on roads they are not at head height - please just look.

 

This is a serious issue. I am not a careless person but I am disabled and this incident hurt me physically and emotionally. I was in A&E for a long time being treated.

[filrobbo]

I totally agree with you, they have duty to place signs were there are not adanger to the public.

[green_and_mean]

I totally agree with you, they have duty to place signs were there are not adanger to the public.

 

And where would that be? I once walked into a street light as I was too busy chatting does that mean I should sue the Council surely they shouldn't place street lights where people can walk into them? What about the tariff boards where are they going to be placed 10ft above the ground where no one can read them? If you are so sure they are negligent why use a no win no fee solicitor just sue the Council and claim costs.

[Vivienfay]

Thank you for your comment but we are not looking at street lights which could be identified by pedestrians and those who were visually impaired by the use of their stick.

I am sure that signage should be placed above 6ft - every other sign that I have observed is this height or higher and is still clearly visible.

This is not about making money. It is about ensuring safety.

[green_and_mean]

Thank you for your comment but we are not looking at street lights which could be identified by pedestrians and those who were visually impaired by the use of their stick.

I am sure that signage should be placed above 6ft - every other sign that I have observed is this height or higher and is still clearly visible.

This is not about making money. It is about ensuring safety.

 

So you can see a street light or a pole with a traffic sign on or a bench or a letter box or a road name sign or railings or a kerb or adverts on A boards or a pay and display machine but for some reason this parking sign is not visible until you hit it?? Maybe a photo of the sign might help but obviously don't get too close I wouldn't want to be sued for suggesting you go too near it.

[Jamberson]

I want safer signs.

 

Then I would suggest you don't consult solicitors. I would raise it with the Council informally, as a health and safety hazard. They will have people whose job it is to investigate things like that, and will give it consideration. They may or may not agree with you - after all, everything is a danger in theory. You could walk into a lamppost, or trip over a kerb. But I'm sure they will consider it if they aren't worried that you are about to sue them, and that any perceived admission might undermine their defence.

[Vivienfay]

Thanks Jambersom - i raised it with the council the same day I had the accident and was promised by the person I spoke to that he would send his men out to move the signs up. He felt sure that the snow and bad winter had caused them to slip down. He also promised to send forms to me so that I could give him all the details. That was in April of this year. I have received no paper work from this person and the signs remain at the same height. It was only when I contacted the Council last week to inquire as to why I had heard nothing that I received the reply that they

"concluded that the signs are of a standard height & size and not regarded as dangerous"

[Vivienfay]

So you can see a street light or a pole with a traffic sign on or a bench or a letter box or a road name sign or railings or a kerb or adverts on A boards or a pay and display machine but for some reason this parking sign is not visible until you hit it?? Maybe a photo of the sign might help but obviously don't get too close I wouldn't want to be sued for suggesting you go too near it.

 

Dear green_and_mean

 

Most signs of this type you are able to walk under. I am sure you may now begin to observe signage just to prove me wrong.

 

I did see the sign but did not assess it's height prior to cracking my head open on it as I had no idea I was going to have an accident. I did not set out to injure myself that day.

 

I did not walk into it. I dropped my glasses and as I straightened up I cut my head open on it. It is positioned too low.

 

My concern is that had it been positioned at a higher level ,which other signs I have now noticed are,

my head would not have made any contact with it as I straightened up.

[green_and_mean]

Dear green_and_mean

 

Most signs of this type you are able to walk under. I am sure you may now begin to observe signage just to prove me wrong.

 

I did see the sign but did not assess it's height prior to cracking my head open on it as I had no idea I was going to have an accident. I did not set out to injure myself that day.

 

I did not walk into it. I dropped my glasses and as I straightened up I cut my head open on it. It is positioned too low.

 

My concern is that had it been positioned at a higher level ,which other signs I have now noticed are,

my head would not have made any contact with it as I straightened up.

 

Maybe if you had your glasses on you would have seen it before you bent down? It was an accident, sorry you got a bang on the head but it was no ones fault just move on.

[Vivienfay]

Thanks but I need to get it sorted so no other person hurts themselves.

:O)

[green_and_mean]

Something like this maybe??

 

http://www.doobybrain.com/2008/03/07/lamppost-cushions-on-brick-lane-to-prevent-texting-injuries/

[Tony P]

Thanks but I need to get it sorted so no other person hurts themselves.

:O)

 

Yeah. Great sentiment.

 

What I find difficult it why your altruism has been dormant for a quarter of a year.

 

That was in April of this year.

 

And if anyone else got hurt during your dormancy should they be looking to you for redress, you having failed to protect them from themselves, following you becoming aware of 'your' problem?