During the summer months, the Portuguese coastal localities, namely the bathing destinations, are filled with visitors. With the increase of the temporary population, informal behaviors in the public space also emerge, many of them related to parking. In this case, we will tell you about one in particular, to which it should be specially attention: the presence of a carboy in a parking place.
In the most popular bathing zones in the country, it is often found objects placed in empty spaces on the public road. Apparently harmless, these elements are not always merely accidental or the result of chance.
One of the most recurring examples is the use of carboys to occupy parking spaces. The gesture, although simple, has a specific function and is far from innocent. This practice, although widely known, has no legal basis and continues to divide opinions between residents, traders and visitors.
Which means a carboy in a parking place
Put an empty, usually plastic carboy in a parking space on the public road serves as an informal reserve sign. In most cases, the goal is to prevent this place from being occupied by others, especially by those who are only passing, says RFM.
The phenomenon is repeated mainly in historical centers, coastal villages and bathing zones during the high season. Many traders and residents thus try to ensure place for their own or client vehicles.
Other objects such as chairs, makeshift cones or buckets with stones are also used. The carboy, however, became the most recognizable signal.
It’s not cool, but it still happens
According to article 9 of the road code, the occupation of public space by unauthorized objects is illegal. The public road is of common use and cannot be reserved by individual initiative. It also says Article 8 – Purpose and use of public roads for special purposes, that “any use of the public road that may affect normal traffic” (works, events, occupation with objects, etc.) requires prior authorization from the competent entity (City Council or managing authority). The lack of license or non -compliance with conditions implies fines of 700 to 3,500 euros, according to Article 8 and 4. Bottle, when preventing parking, fits in this article.
Local authorities are competent to remove these objects and apply fines to those identified as responsible for the obstruction. However, in practice, inspection is reduced, especially in periods of great tourist affluence.
This lack of direct intervention contributes to continuity of practice, often already regarded as habit in certain locations, says the same source.
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Tourists ‘avoid’ confrontations
Those who arrive from outside rarely feel comfortable removing an object that is occupying a parking place. Many visitors choose to look for alternative, even if legally could use the space.
The fear of reprisals, such as risks in the car or empty tires, leads to silent tolerance to these gestures. The same is true of foreign enrollment, which tend to avoid direct confrontation. In some cases, the residents themselves explain that it is better not to move, thus reinforcing a kind of non -written “informal agreement”.
A habit rooted in very specific areas
This type of marking of places happens mainly in locations with high demand and little parking offer, where the Algarve fits. Small villages with narrow streets, urban beaches or old zones are the places where this type of makeshift signaling is noted.
It is particularly visible in locations such as Sesimbra, Nazareth, Costa da Caparica, Ericeira, Lakes, Albufeira or Monte Gordo, among others. The phenomenon intensifies between July and September, refers to the above source. For the rest of the year, the practice practically disappears, returning only with the arrival of tourists and the consequent increase in pressure on urban space.
Civism and Authority Questions
The recurring presence of these objects raises questions about the use of public space and authority on the ground. Apparent permissiveness ends up generating inequalities between residents and visitors.
Alongside this, not all mayors or police forces consider the priority issue, especially when there are other urgent problems to manage during the high season. Still, the placement of obstacles on the public road without authorization can be sanctioned by law, both in urban and bathing context.
Widespread but discreetly tolerated
Although not provided for in regulation, the use of carboys as a way of reserving place has become a code recognized by many. It has no legal value, as written in Article 9, but is rarely ignored.
Some city councils have already systematically removed these objects in places where the problem became frequent, but continuous action depends on the availability of services. Meanwhile, the carboy remains, in many locations, a silent tool to ensure a place, even when the place actually belongs to anyone in particular.
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