Pedestrians, people with shopping trolleys, cyclists and other cars — in the parking lots of Lidl, Kaufland and Co., there is often uncertainty about who is allowed to drive, walk or push first.
Drivers are often unsure whether the rule "right before left" applies in parking lots of supermarkets and discounters and who is to blame in the event of an accident.
A judgment of the Federal Court of Justice has at least clarified this question clearly, as
echo24.de
reports: In parking lots without extra priority regulations, there is usually no "right before left".
In January of this year, the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) ruled that it would be better for safety if drivers were considerate of each other and had to agree on the right of way.
But what rules apply to all other road users?
Do pedestrians who are pushing a full shopping cart in front of them have to wait until the cars have agreed among themselves and the lane is free — or are people on foot generally allowed to start walking first?
echo24.de
takes a look at the chaos of right-of-way rules in parking lots at Lidl, Kaufland and all other shopping facilities.
Rule of mutual consideration in parking lots — shopping trolleys vs. car drivers
It is thus clear that "right before left" does not apply to parking lots.
This also applies if a sign in front of the discounter parking lot refers to the Road Traffic Act (StVO).
Instead, the rule of mutual consideration prevails.
This regulation includes all road users without exception.
There is no precedence over the law for any particular party.
Principle of mutual consideration - § 1 StVO: basic rules of the road traffic regulations
(1) Participation in road traffic requires constant caution and mutual consideration.
(2) Whoever participates in traffic must behave in such a way that no one else is harmed, endangered or hindered or bothered more than is unavoidable under the circumstances.
For better organization and from the point of view of blind habit, however, following the right-before-left rule is still recommended.
In the event of a dispute, however, the strongest road users are always the most dangerous.
If you heed the principle "the smarter give in", it is better to give the stronger the right of way when in doubt.
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The principle of mutual consideration applies in parking lots.
This regulation includes all road users without exception.
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