I live in a busy local town and I am increasingly irritated at the excessive level of parking on footpaths. Whilst walking my young children I am obliged to leave the footpath and walk on a busy road because of the careless and inconsiderate behaviour of the vehicle owner. Is it illegal to drive on and park on a footpath? Please advise.
It is illegal to park in a way which interferes with traffic flow or obstructs or endangers other road users to include pedestrians. The Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking ) Regulations 1997 sets out a number of parking prohibitions including:
No parking on a footpath (either partly or wholly )
No parking on a roadway marked with double yellow lines
No parking on a section of roadway where a no parking sign has been provided, for the period indicated
No parking within five metres of a junction
No parking opposite a continuous white line
No parking in any place, position, or manner resulting in interference to a fire brigade station, an ambulance station, or a Garda station
No parking at a pedestrian crossing or traffic lights, within 15 metres on the approach side or five metres on the other side
No parking at a school entrance
No parking on a grass margin or median
No parking obstructing any entrance for vehicles except with the occupier’s consent.
Driving on a footpath can result in the driver receiving a €60 fine if paid within 28 days or €90 fine if paid within the next 28 days together with one penalty point or three penalty points on conviction. Parking a vehicle in a dangerous position may result in a mandatory court appearance, five penalty points and a court fine.
This column is prepared by Dolores Gacquin, solicitor. Byrne Carolan Cunningham have offices in Athlone, Moate, and Lanesborough.
A person should always contact their solicitor to obtain legal advice specific to their own situation. The above column contains general information and cannot be relied upon as legal advice.
