Under what circumstance may you drive over a footpath?

Driving over a footpath is generally prohibited to ensure pedestrian safety and accessibility. However, one recognized exception occurs when you need to gain lawful access to a property. This scenario often arises if the property has a driveway that leads directly from the road to the entrance, and there are no alternative routes. In such a case, using the footpath is permissible when done cautiously, ensuring that pedestrians are not endangered and that you are moving at a very slow speed.

This permission highlights the importance of maintaining lawful access to private properties while prioritizing pedestrian safety in all other respects. It is crucial to remember that this exception is applied under specific conditions and with due regard for the surrounding environment, which is not applicable in scenarios like parking temporarily, avoiding a hazard, or overtaking another vehicle, where driving on footpaths would likely risk pedestrian safety and contravene traffic laws.