DRIVERS face paying £70 fines for parking on pavements, even if they aren’t on double yellow lines.
The new law that sees those who park on the street slapped with a fixed penalty notice, may be introduced soon.
Drivers could be fined £70 for parking on the pavement and blocking a narrow road under the suggested new rules.
Pavement parking is already banned in London and could soon be a blanket rule across the UK.
While parking on the pavement may not seem like a major offence, drivers could be blocking the pathways meaning pedestrians are forced to walk on the roads.
Alex Kindred, car insurance expert at Confused.com, told the MEN: “What may seem a small inconvenience to some, might be a huge hindrance to others.
“But it’s important to remember that pavements are there for the use and safety of pedestrians only, and therefore should be respected by all other road users.
“However, without a clearer understanding of the law around pavement parking, it’ll be hard to implement fines to drivers who break the rules.
“The current laws around pavement parking can be quite confusing, which is why it’s difficult at times to prosecute drivers.
“With consultations ongoing for England and Wales, with Scotland already pioneering the way to make a big change, drivers should be wary that changes could come into force sooner rather than later.
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“Councils will be given a bigger responsibility and penalty charges could be issued.
“The laws around parking on pavements is just one of many new driving laws coming into effect this year, with road user safety at the forefront of each.”
This isn’t the only ruling set to change in the UK.
On May 31, councils in England and Wales will be given new powers to fine motorists up to £70 for minor traffic offences such as stopping in yellow box junctions, illegal turns and driving in cycle lanes.
Currently, only the police can enforce this – but new CCTV cameras will inform council officers of any offenders.
The Department of Transport has said this increased supervision will allow buses to be more punctual as well as to protect cyclists.
For London, councils are already able to issue parking fines for stopping in yellow boxes using cameras.
But parking law expert Shaf Jade has warned drivers what to look out for.
The yellow box junctions must have the approved devices, location, and the certificate to prove such an offence occurred – along with clear and enforceable yellow boxes in order for motorists to be eligible for a fine.
Mr Jade explains: “Now that these new laws are being introduced councils will be more trigger happy with their tickets.
“They expect motorists not to appeal and that’s why they issue fines.
“According to contravention code 31, entering and stopping in a box junction when prohibited allows councils to issue fines in yellow boxes. ‘When prohibited’ is the key term here.
“Drivers may park or stop in some situations where they believe the contravention does not apply, or in mitigating circumstances.
“If motorists receive a parking fine under any of these mitigating circumstances, there are grounds for appeal.”
And those who tend to use their phone while driving are facing paying huge fines as the new rule could see them getting penalised even if they check the time or a notification.
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Under the new Highway Code rules introduced in January drivers could also be slapped with £100 fines for stopping or parking in several specific places such as near schools, on bends, and where kerbs have been lowered to help wheelchair users.
Drivers could also be slapped with a fine if they decide to get behind the wheel while tired.