Careless parking represents a serious hazard to pedestrians, especially those using wheelchairs for mobility purposes or those suffering from a visual impairment. It is also an inconvenience for people with pushchairs and buggies who cannot squeeze through small gaps, as well as being an offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 to park vehicles on verges or footpaths without good cause.
Councils can take enforcement action through use of a Penalty Charge Notice when there are waiting restrictions (yellow lines) on the highway adjacent to the pavement.
We would ask you to think about how your actions could impact on others before you park.
Okay, so there are times when you’re in a hurry. Maybe you’re late. You pull up and park beside a parked car and run up to your friend’s flat.
Or your doctor’s office is on a narrow street. You can only find room at the end where the space is really tight. You pull up and park with your wheels on the pavement.
We know it’s sometimes a relief to find a parking space, but think before you park.
Double parking can block fire engines and ambulances, costing valuable moments in emergencies.
Do not drive or park on the pavement. Children are taught that the pavement is a safe place to be. Blocking the pavement, even if only half-on, makes it difficult for pedestrians and especially hazardous for disabled and elderly people, those who are visually impaired and people with pushchairs and double buggies.
It can force them off the pavement and into the road – creating a possibly dangerous situation. Rule 218 of the Highway Code says:
"Do not park partially or wholly on the pavement unless signs permit it".
Parking on the pavement also ends up costing money, because pavements aren’t designed to hold the weight of vehicles. Flagstones often break, crack or wear more quickly if motorists park on them.
Do not park where you are prevented from doing so by restrictions - single yellow lines with time restrictions, double yellow lines and school keep-clear zig-zags.
These restrictions are often deliberately placed to allow safe crossing of the road. You may be glad of them when crossing to your car.
Under section 19 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) are banned from parking on the pavement, although section 19 is subject to a number of exemptions: in particular, an HGV may be parked on the pavement when loading/unloading is taking place.
If you park a vehicle with one or more of its wheels on a pavement or verge and the area is not exempted from the ban or waiting restrictions are in place, you risk receiving a £70 Penalty Charge.
Nationwide, the police are able to take action when a vehicle parks on the pavement and is deemed to be causing an obstruction or is parked dangerously.
Get the Flash Player to run this video clip.
Yesterday me and Mam went to the shops.
But someone had parked on the footpath.
We tried to get through the gap.
But the driver hadn’t left us enough room.
We were trapped by all the fast cars.
When the driver saw what had happened…
…they drove off and parked properly
Keep us safe. Park right first time.
For general queries or comments about road safety
Phone: 0191 2115961
E-mail: road.safety@newcastle.gov.uk