Should Pavement Parking Be Banned

As you drive around you’ve no doubt noticed pavement parking is something quite normal.  Even properties with driveways are overflowing onto the side street.   It seems all the residents are enjoying the freedom of owning their own vehicle but at what price?  Should Pavement Parking Be Banned?

With an ever growing number of cars on the road is it practical for a total ban on pavement parking or could this just be a broad brush approach to a local problem.

At the moment driving lessons and also the UK driving Test require off road parking.  If your wheels end up on the curb your pretty likely to fail your test.

As It Stands At The Moment – Should Pavement Parking Be Banned 

lets try and clear things up for you drivers panicking about whether or not it’s ok to park on the pavement. 

What’s the legality of popping a couple of wheels up on the side?

As it stands at the moment,  NO it’s not illegal unless your in London.

But are things about to change? 

Legality of Pavement Parking – Should Pavement Parking Be Banned 

The confusion comes from rather complicated wording originating from the highway code.  It states – 

Motorists Must not park on the pavement in London and this law has been in operation since 1974.  If road users fail to comply they could find themselves a £70 fine heading their way.  The confusion comes from the next statement that says –

Motorists should not park on the pavement unless signs permit it. 

Does this suggest it’s only advisory and not technically illegal to do so?  Creeping through tight gaps of cars on our travels, pavement parking in most areas doesn’t seem to be anything we can’t handle.

Highway Code Exact Wording At The Moment

Rule 244 states ”YOU MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London, and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it.

Parking on the pavement can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments and people with prams or pushchairs.” 

Highway Code Must Not / Should Not Definitions

MUST NOT

legal requirements in The Highway Code are identified by the words MUST NOT.  Depending on the severity, offenders breaking these rules could be given penalty points, cautioned, banned from driving or in some very extreme cases imprisoned.  

SHOULD NOT

SHOULD NOT would not directly result in prosecution but it could be used in a court of law when establishing liability.

Only the latest revision of the highway code would be used when considering liability.

Opinions of A Pass Me Faster Instructor – Should Pavement Parking Be Banned

YES

Carl S Pass Me Faster Hartlepool –  

Although the everyday kung fu pavement panda has no qualms nipping and popping their way around badly parked cars what about the more vulnerable.  You should really ask yourself how would say a disabled person riding on a buggy or the blind or partially sighted fair up.  

We also have the problem of school areas.  How many double buggies need to be forced into danger  before the solution of ‘obstruction of the highway’ becomes a civil enforcement.

Councils are striving for the options of a default parking ban with each individual area assessed.  If  certain areas would benefit pavement parking without hindrance to vulnerable pedestrians then so be it.    

NO

Gary Quail Pass Me Faster Whitby – 

For a start I think it would be pretty unreasonable to expect local councils to be able to enforce such a large scale ban on parking.  How could they possibly displace the thousands of cars already using pavements.  Where would they go and would it cause further congestion problems for other areas of roads narrowed by this new legislation.

I do see the argument from both sides and selfish drivers knowingly blocking footpaths deserved to be booked but a total ban seems non logical to me.

Should Pavement Parking Be Banned – Conclusion

At the moment it seems hard to see how such a ban could possibly work.  Tightening up on irresponsible parking could be a better way forward over an outright ban.  There is a call for certain exemptions if a total ban was introduced but how would this enforced.

The transport committee recognises a drawn out time scale for a national ban on pavement parking is quite likely.

Maybe a government awareness campaign could kick start things in the right direction.

We’d love to here your thoughts on the proposed pavement parking ban in the comments section below.

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