If you’re a motorist, it’s likely that you’ve faced a few dilemmas when it comes to parking on pavements. In fact, a quarter (25%) of motorists told Confused.com that they were unsure about the rules, so it comes as no surprise that the law is being tightened.
If you’ve used a pavement to avoid blocking a narrow road or simply for your own convenience, your decision could land you with a £70 fine. The law around pavement parking is just one of many new driving laws coming into effect this year, and drivers who don’t obey could face both a penalty charge notice (PCN) and points on their licence.
Whilst some drivers might think that pavement parking is only a minor offence, pavements are there to provide a safe footpath for pedestrians. When the footpath is blocked, pedestrians might have to use the road in order to get around vehicles – and that’s a safety risk. More than seven in 10 (72%) people told Confused.com that they’ve had to do this in the past, and more than two in five (44%) said they felt in danger by doing so. The issue can be particularly worrying for people with disabilities or for those with young children too.
You might not realise, but it’s already illegal to park on pavements in London and some parts of the UK. And although some changes are still under consultation for England and Wales, it’s predicted that local councils will have more authority when it comes to fining drivers. Scotland’s rulings are expected to come into force in 2023.
Confused.com’s car insurance expert, Alex Kindred said:
“What may seem a small inconvenience to some, might be a huge hindrance to others. But it’s important to remember that pavements are there for the use and safety of pedestrians only, and therefore should be respected by all other road users.
“However, without a clearer understanding of the law around pavement parking, it’ll be hard to implement fines to drivers who break the rules. The current laws around pavement parking can be quite confusing, which is why it’s difficult at times to prosecute drivers.
“With consultations ongoing for England and Wales, with Scotland already pioneering the way to make a big change, drivers should be wary that changes could come into force sooner rather than later. Councils will be given a bigger responsibility and penalty charges could be issued. The laws around parking on pavements is just one of many new driving laws coming into effect this year, with road user safety at the forefront of each.”
