New Highway Code guidance has been introduced following new driving laws being passed, impacting where motorists can park their vehicles.
Significant changes to the Highway Code were last made in 2022 when the new "hierarchy of road users" was introduced to ensure drivers and pedestrians know how to be safe on the road.
The latest update included amendments to Rules 243 and 244, which deal with what drivers should do when waiting and parking.
Rule 234 clarifies that drivers should not stop or park in several places, including near a school entrance, at a bus stop, opposite or within 10 metres of a junction and on a bend, among others.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailingmotoring@gbnews.uk
The Highway Code was updated to include guidance about pavement parking in Scotland
PA
The new guidance states that motorists in Scotland "MUST NOT" double park or park where the kerb has been lowered to help pedestrians or cyclists, unless exceptions are allowed.
This follows Scotland's decision to ban pavement parking, double parking and parking at dropped kerbs through the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019.
Local authorities were given the green light to begin enforcing the law from December 11, 2023, with drivers facing fines of £100, although this could be cut to £50 if paid within 14 days.
Potential exemptions can now be considered for medical professionals, while local authorities can also designate certain areas where pavement parking is permitted when it's clearly marked.
The new rules have been backed by Scottish Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop and various road safety organisations and campaigners.
Measures were backed by a public information campaign featuring radio, outdoor and social media advertising to highlight the dangers of pavement parking.
Rule 244 now states: "You MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London or Scotland. Exceptions are allowed in limited circumstances.
"You should not park partially or wholly on the pavement 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."
There have been calls for laws to completely ban pavement parking across the UK to ensure people with mobility problems and parents pushing prams and buggies are not forced out onto the road.
Scotland is the first of the four UK nations to make pavement parking illegal nationwide, with Hyslop describing the practice as "unsafe, unfair and illegal".
While the Conservative Government under Boris Johnson launched a consultation looking at banning pavement parking, the Department for Transport has yet to publish results, despite ending in November 2020.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- Motorists with certain medical conditions risk prosecution and insurance issues for breaking DVLA rules
- Iconic British brand MOKE opens new UK production facility with electric car launch for 60th anniversary
- Drivers caught breaking Labour’s 20mph speed limits reaches 100k as road users fume 'no one is doing it!'
The APPGCW report called for rules to be introduced to crack down on pavement parking GETTYSpeaking recently to GB News, Liberal Democrat MP Olly Glover hinted that steps could be taken to ban pavement parking following a report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking (APPGCW).
The MP for Didcot and Wantage said tackling pavement parking was "important", but noted that there were many complexities in banning the practice.
