The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána are supporting the Disability Federation of Ireland’s “Make Way Day” on Friday 24 September with a campaign to clamp down on illegal parking on footpaths and cycle lanes.
The campaign reminds drivers that parking on footpaths and blocking cycle lanes is an offence and poses a road safety risk to vulnerable road users.
“Illegal parking forces wheelchair users, the visually impaired, people with buggies, children and older pedestrians who do not have adequate room to walk safely on footpaths, out onto the road,” said Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton. “Illegal parking in cycle lanes forces cyclists out into mainstream traffic, where there is an increased risk of a collision occurring. I welcome initiatives such as ‘Make Way Day’ which focuses attention on need for drivers to be more considerate and socially responsible when parking.”
While most local authorities employ traffic wardens to enforce parking regulations and issue fines, members of An Garda Síochána also have this authority. In addition to fixed charges for breaching parking regulations, a driver can also be liable for penalty points.
If a driver has parked in a dangerous position, they could incur ‘penalty points’ up to a maximum of (5) on conviction and a ‘fixed charge’ ranging from €80 – €120. Driving in a ‘mandatory’ cycle lane is also an offence which can incur up to a maximum of (3) penalty points on conviction and a ‘fixed charge’ ranging from €60 – €90.
