There are few clear rules in the UK saying drivers should not park on the pavement (人行道). But Scotland, a country of Britain, is planning a complete ban on pavement paking. And, earlier this year, the UK government admitted it was considering changing the law for the other parts of Britain.
Joe Irvin of Living Streets (the UK charity for everyday walking) says there is "no excuse" for the disagreement and has called on the UK government to act the same way.
"Pavement parking is really thoughtless—and if you think about people with wheelchairs, pushchairs, or sight impairment (受损), they have to go out on to the road," says Mr Irvin.
Steve Hynd, from Bristol, said his father, who uses a wheelchair, had recently ended up in hospital after a parked car had blocked his path.
"My dad's experience was near his care home," he says. "He was trying to wheel himself back inside and a car had parked up on the pavement. He tried to get arounditand fell out of his wheelchair."
"He went to hospital. He'd hurt his head and got a black eye where his glasses had gone in."
Groups such as the AA and RAC admit "some streets" should not allow pavement parking if it causes problems to emergency vehicles (紧急车辆)—but they do not believe in a complete ban across the country.
AA president Edmund King says, "We would be concerned if there was a total ban. It is clearly possible in some areas to park on the pavement while still allowing room for pushchairs or people in wheelchairs to pass. "
Hugh Bladon of the Alliance of British Drivers argues a complete ban would cause serious problems as some streets were so narrow.
The simple way to deal with the problems, Mr Bladon believes, is that all drivers must leave at least one metre between their car and the inside of the pavement to allow people with pushchairs and so on to pass by.
