Legal change will let you use your mobile to park your car

DRIVERS will be allowed to use a mobile phone to park their car under legal changes being proposed by the Government.

Ministers have begun a public consultation on changing the Highway Code to permit motorists to use remote-control parking technology on public roads or in public car parks. The technology, which is fitted to some luxury models, enables drivers to use a key fob or a smartphone app to press buttons so their car moves backwards and forwards into a space while they are sitting in the vehicle or standing near it.

The Department for Transport said there was ‘ uncertainty’ over whether motorists could be prosecuted under existing laws for using a hand-held device to control a vehicle. The Government believes remote-control parking technology can help drivers with small garages or mobility problems.

rule changes to allow the use of systems that can control speed and positioning on motorways are also included in the proposals. Transport Minister Jesse Norman said: ‘The Government is determined that Britain should lead the way in embracing the safe deployment of new vehicle technology. Features such as remote-control parking and motorway assist have the potential to transform car travel.’