Anyone who holds a driver’s license can tell you that inconsiderate motorists on the roads are par for the course, however, those who take advantage of disabled parking spots may well be the most brazen.
Statistics have revealed that over 15,000 fines are issued each year for parking in disabled spots across NSW with the most being issued in the northern Sydney suburb of Chatswood, where the fines easily outnumber the permits issued.
Across the state 363,773 disabled people have valid Mobility Parking Scheme permits which they depend on for access to their jobs and the community.
Statistics have revealed that over 15,000 fines are issued each year for parking in disabled spots across NSW
Drivers who take advantage of disabled parking spots may well be the most brazen road cheats
The most fines being are in the northern Sydney suburb of Chatswood
City of Sydney council rangers have issues 3920 fines to vehicles illegally parked in the reserved spots over the last three years
Across the City of Sydney council rangers have issues 3920 fines to vehicles illegally parked in the reserved spots over the last three years, which can reach $500 and come with a demerit point.
Board president of the Physical Disability Council NSW, Chris Sparks, told the Sydney Morning Herald that of people taking disabled parks, ‘The frustration is it impinges your ability to be independent and get out and about and go about your business.’
Board president of the Physical Disability Council NSW said the ‘frustration is it impinges your ability to be independent’
Fines can reach $500 and come with a demerit point
‘My only way of getting around and participating is by driving,’ said Chris Sparks
Serena Ovens, CEO Physical Disability Council, NSW of said that drivers blocking disabled spaces is routine
‘I’ve learnt to rely on a motor car. I live in a regional area – Bega – and we have no accessible public transport, so my only way of getting around and participating is by driving,’ he said.
Chief executive of the same organisation, Serena Ovens, said that drivers blocking disabled spaces is routine and that there are not enough spaces for the people that actually need them.
‘We need to drive public awareness about why accessible parking spaces are there and the fact that people can’t make a judgment based on what they see … many people have hidden disabilities that are not manifested in a physical way.’
The Australian Disability Parking Scheme was brought in by the Federal Government recently in and effort to bring some consistency across states in the way disabled parking permits are issued and managed.
Permit holders can park in parking spaces showing the international symbol of access and can receive concessions in most public parking spaces where the sign or meter shows specific time limits.
She also said there are not enough spaces for the people that actually need them
The Australian Disability Parking Scheme was brought in by the Federal Government recently in and effort to bring some consistency across states
Permit holders can park in parking spaces showing the international symbol of access
They can also receive concessions in most public parking spaces where the sign or meter shows specific time limits