An Adelaide mum’s warning has sparked a debate about whether illegally parking on a footpath should be reported or simply ignored.
A car parked on an Adelaide street’s footpath has sparked fierce debate about whether the illegal move should be reported or simply ignored.
It started when a mum took to social media as a last resort to warn the owner of a vehicle parked on a footpath in the northern suburbs.
“I tried to knock on your door and just let you know you can’t park on the footpath because, ya know, it’s self explanatory,” she said in the post.
“I refuse to let my six-year-old and one-year-old ride on the road sooooo soz not soz if any damage happens.”
It ignited neighbour fury, with many explaining in the comments that the illegal act was “extremely frustrating”, “inconsiderate” and “self-centred”, while others suggested people should just simply “walk around”.
Parking on a footpath is illegal.
“How the hell are parents able to walk safely with prams etc?,” one person said.
“I’m a parent with a pram and just walk around, it’s not that deep,” another countered.
“Like a normal person – you wait until it’s safe to walk on the road. Common sense would tell you that if you had any,” another suggested.
Several people said it was important to think of others, including those with disabilities and wheelchairs who were not able to move around so easily.
But some had a simple answer for that too.
“Yeah, cause they don’t have the brain capacity to cross the road, yikes,” one said.
“Wow, people will complain just to complain, won’t they,” said another.
Dozens of people suggested reporting it on the national Snap Send Solve app, which allows frustrated Australians to dob in their neighbours for dodgy acts.
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Others chose to see the funny side of it, with one suggesting the mum should “let your kids use the car as a cool jump”.
It is illegal to park on a footpath, shared path or nature strip in Australia, national road rules state, unless a sign indicates it is allowed.
Local councils are responsible for issuing fines, which ranged between $97 and $120 in both Salisbury and Playford councils in Adelaide’s northern suburbs throughout the 2025-26 financial year.
As well as the Snap Send Solve app, residents can also contact their local council to report vehicles stopped or parked on a footpath.
If a vehicle is unregistered, posing an immediate or severe traffic hazard, or in an emergency outside council jurisdiction, they can contact SA Police’s non-urgent assistance line.
The RAA asked its followers on Facebook if it was illegal to park over their own driveway. Picture: RAA Facebook.
Earlier in the year the RAA took to social media to remind drivers it is illegal to park across driveways – even if it is their own.
RAA safety and infrastructure senior manager Charles Mountain was not surprised many were unaware of the road rule – which could cost drivers almost $100 if they broke it.
“It’s important drivers don’t park across driveways – even their own – or footpaths because it can block access for other residents, emergency services or pedestrians,’’ Mr Mountain said.
“Even partially parking over a driveway can make it difficult, if not impossible, to access, particularly on narrow residential streets where there are lots of vehicles parked on the street.”
SA’s re-elected Labor Government is pushing to make it mandatory for new homes to have larger garages in a bid to get parked cars off overcrowded, narrow suburban streets.
Under the vehicle parking reforms, one-bedroom homes would be required to have one off-street car park while those with two or more would need to have at least two parking spaces.
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