A motoring expert has warned drivers to be aware of a new pavement parking rule – which could see road users fined up to £100 for breaking this little-known law
Motorists could be hit with a hefty fine for violating a lesser-known parking rule this summer, warns a leading expert.
Steven Edwards, motoring editor at used car search platform MOTORS, emphasised that drivers unfamiliar with Scottish roads might not know about the new pavement parking ban rules. Parking on pavements in Scotland is now illegal following the introduction of stringent new driving laws over the past year.
While England has no rules regarding pavement parking, Scottish officials have decided to tackle the issue, with tourists most likely to be caught out. Road Safety Scotland has confirmed that motorists will receive a £100 penalty if they are seen parking a vehicle on a pavement or even dropped kerbs.
Steven explained: “If you are travelling to Scotland this summer, you need to be aware of the new pavement parking ban, which could see you fined £100. Enforced from December 2023, it is now illegal to park your car on the pavement (including partial curb parking). The ban has come into place to make streets more accessible and safer for those in wheelchairs and those with pushchairs.”
Transport Scotland has confirmed there are a range of exemptions to the pavement parking rule in place, reports the Express. The pavement parking restrictions do not apply when allowing for the “normal operation of the emergency services” or “medical practitioners in emergency situations.”
Pavement parking crackdowns have been championed by Road Safety Scotland as a move towards safer streets, laying out exemptions only for emergencies, deliveries, collections and certain roadworks. They underscored the hazards of cars flouting the rules, stating: “Parking on the pavement affects people daily. It can force people onto the road and increases the risk of accidents.
“It is especially difficult for disabled people, parents with children and people with limited mobility to get past a parked vehicle. Parking safely in a designated space can help keep the pavements accessible for all.”
