197Stopping on a path, dividing strip, nature strip, painted island or traffic island

197 Stopping on a path, dividing strip, nature strip, painted island or traffic island

(1) A driver must not stop on a bicycle path, footpath, shared path or dividing strip, or a nature strip adjacent to a length of road in a built-up area, unless—

(a) the driver stops at a place on a length of road, or in an area, to which a parking control sign applies and the driver is permitted to stop at that place under these Rules; or

(b) the driver's vehicle is a motor cycle and the driver stops in a place where the motor cycle does not inconvenience, obstruct, hinder or prevent the free passage of any pedestrian or other vehicle; or

Rule 197(1)(c) amended by S.R. No. 7/2023 rule 5(1).

(c) the driver is using a vehicle for the purpose of the operation of a detection device prescribed for the purposes of section 66 of the Road Safety Act 1986; or

Rule 197(1)(d) inserted by S.R. No. 7/2023 rule 5(2).

(d) the driver's vehicle is—

Rule 197 (1)(d)(i) amended by S.R. No. 11/2026 rule 3(1).

Rule 197 (1)(d)(ii) amended by S.R. No. 11/2026 rule 3(1).

1 Bicycle path is defined in rule 239. Built-up area, dividing strip, footpath, nature strip and parking control sign are defined in the dictionary. Motor cycle is defined in the Road Safety Act 1986. Shared path is defined in rule 242.

2 A separated footpath is a particular kind of footpath—see rule 239.

Note 3 to rule 197(1) inserted by S.R. No. 7/2023 rule 5(3), amended by S.R. No. 11/2026 rule 3(2).

3 Relocatable digital RSC and mobile digital RSC are defined in the dictionary.

(1A) A driver must not stop on a painted island.

2 Rule 85 deals with the give way rules applying to a driver entering a turning lane from a painted island and rule 138 deals with keeping off painted islands.

(1B) A driver must not stop on a traffic island.

Traffic island is defined in the dictionary.

Rule 197(2) amended by S.R. No. 135/2021 rule 61(1).

(2) This rule does not apply to the rider of a bicycle, an electric scooter or animal.