Motorists could face harsher penalties and fines for driving on pavements this summer, according to a local police authority warning. Drivers caught on the pavement may be prosecuted under stricter enforcement measures.
Under rule 145 of the Highway Code, driving on or over a pavement, footpath, or bridleway is prohibited except for gaining lawful access to property or in emergencies.
Offenders can be fined between £50 and £130, with higher fines possible depending on the situation.In a recent post on X, Bailiwick Law Enforcement cautioned drivers in Guernsey about the penalties for driving on pavements.
“We’d like to remind motorists to ensure that if they need to mount the pavement while driving to pass an obstruction, they must do so incredibly slowly and dismount as soon as they can”, the post read.
“It is entirely unacceptable to drive at anything but a crawl along a pavement: it puts pedestrians at risk and makes exiting driveways and lanes dangerous. If you’re caught cruising down the entire length of a pavement, we can and will consider prosecution.”
Nicholas Lyes from the RAC acknowledged widespread concerns among drivers about other road users blocking pavements.
“In a number of cases, drivers may be forced to park up a kerb so they are not restricting or blocking traffic flow on narrower road”, he said.
“If the Government does look into this, it should be clear that pavement parking is only acceptable where drivers need to do it so as not to block traffic flow on the road nor pavement access for vulnerable users and pedestrians. This is all about getting the right balance.”
Currently, rules on pavement parking are enforced in London and Scotland, with local authorities granted powers to manage vehicles left on pavements.
The new Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, may consider extending pavement parking measures nationwide. Haigh has previously spoken on the need to protect vulnerable people from dealing with cars parked on pavements, highlighting the dangers to partially sighted individuals, the elderly, wheelchair users, and parents with pushchairs.
In Scotland, parking rules recently changed to ban vehicles on pavements, with drivers now risking a £100 fine for such offenses, as well as for parking at dropped kerbs or double parking.
Motorists are urged to comply with these regulations to avoid penalties and ensure pedestrian safety.
