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Last updated: 25 March 2026

When you’re making multiple drops, it’s easy to fall into “I’ll be two seconds” mode. But unsafe parking is still driving risk — and one real London case shows how quickly a simple omission can turn catastrophic.

The case: a runaway van killed two pedestrians

In April 2009, delivery driver Larkland May parked a Mercedes Sprinter on Pudding Lane in the City of London to make a delivery. The van was left unsecured and, after another vehicle made contact, it rolled downhill and struck two pedestrians, who died from their injuries.

May was later convicted of two counts of causing death by careless driving.

Sentencing outcome

Reports of the sentencing said May received:

• A 32-week prison sentence suspended for two years
• 150 Hours of unpaid community work
• A three-year driving ban
• And £700 in costs

What the Highway Code says about securing a vehicle on a hill

The Highway Code is clear on hill parking. Rule 252 says if you park on a hill you should:

• Park close to the kerb and apply the handbrake firmly
• Select a gear (forward gear when facing uphill; reverse gear when facing downhill)
• Turn your steering wheel (away from the kerb when facing uphill; towards the kerb when facing downhill)
• Use “park” if you have an automatic gearbox

This is a simple “belt and braces” approach: if one safeguard fails, another may prevent the vehicle rolling into danger.

A quick “secure the van” checklist for deliveries

Use this every time you stop — even for short drop-offs:

• Handbrake fully on (don’t rely on a light tug)
• Select the correct gear (or Park) before you exit
• On slopes, turn the wheels correctly as per Rule 252
• If you’re loading/unloading on a gradient, consider extra measures (safe positioning, chocking where appropriate for work conditions, and never leaving a vehicle to “hold itself”)

Why this matters for work vans

For fleets and sole traders, a runaway vehicle incident can mean:

• Severe harm to the public
• Criminal investigation and prosecution
• Major downtime and operational disruption

The lowest-effort prevention is discipline: make “handbrake + gear + wheels” a non-negotiable habit.

Sources

1. GOV.UK — Highway Code: Waiting and parking (Rules 238 to 252), Rule 252 (handbrake, gear, wheel direction on hills).
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2. Evening Standard — “Driver of runaway van that killed two is spared jail” (sentencing: 32-week suspended sentence, 150 hours unpaid work, 3-year ban, £700 costs).
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3. The Independent — “Man guilty over runaway van deaths” (incident summary/location/date and conviction context).
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