Vehicle Pulling Out And Blocking Pavement

[Mattk]

As a pedestrian it often annoys me when a car blocks the pavement in front of me waiting to pull out so I was wondering where the law stood on this?

[2sp_]

Do you mean when a car is coming out of a driveway across the pavement?

[Graham-W]

In general, it makes sense for the small squidgy thing to give way to the large metal thing. If you want to cross a road it makes sense to wait until it's clear. If the car is actually on the pavement, waiting to pull onto the road, I'd have thought the same rules apply. There are certain exceptions like pedestrian crossings where different rules apply..

[Nini74]

in all fairness, how do you expect them to exit the drive or lane or whatever without pulling over the pavement and then stopping to make sure its clear to pull out? i assume you mean pulling out of a driveway or something? if not, then sorry i misunderstood the question. Law on this is common sense as far as i'm aware.

[boxtops]

As far as I know, they are well within the law. How else would they drive out of the side access?

[rockyracoon]

Blimey, you wouldn't like the road I live on, sometimes it's busy so I have to sit and wait for other cars to pass before I can pull out, all part of life!

[FredPuli43]

Yes, annoying, when other people think they have equal rights to yours . Why do you think your right of passage is superior to theirs? If this supposed principle is applied universally, some drivers will never get on to the road at all in busy times.

[Quizmonster]

I suspect Matt means when the driver actually sees the pedestrian approaching his exit as well as the oncoming traffic but STILL pulls onto the pavement, thus forcing the former to wait. In other words, whatever happened to, "After you!"?

[Mattk]

"Why do you think your right of passage is superior to theirs?"

I'm not sure superior is the right word but as i see it the pavement is for people and the road for vehicles so I would've thought that people should have right of way seeing as the vehicle is crossing their thoroughfare.

I should add that I am not an anti-vehicle do-gooder but spend more time walking than driving these days. As QM says its when they see you and deliberately park right in front of you that causes most irritation.
Also, I'm not saying I haven't done it when roles have been reversed but was just curious if there is a relevant law .

[FredPuli43]

There is an offence of driving without reasonable consideration for other road users but, as regards pedestrians, it's reserved for such disagreeable behaviour as driving quickly through puddles and thereby soaking them. Can't see that preventing them from going on their way, however impolite that may be, is in that category

[DaisyNonna]

What about the car parked on the pavement, no driver in sight? Happens all the time here.