KEY POINTS:
Able bodied motorists parking in disabled parking bays will be looking at harsher penalties if a law change pushed by advocacy groups is passed.
Transport officials, the New Zealand Parking Association and disability support group CCS held recent talks with Transport Minister Annette King to discuss concerns relating to mobility parking.
A CCS study this year found that more than half of all cars in mobility car parks were parked illegally.
New Zealand Parking Association chairman Colin Waite said discussion centred on making mobility parking a specific provision in the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 with its own penalty.
"Taking the mobility parking privilege away from local authority bylaws will allow a more consistent level of service and delivery as well as putting in place definitive instructions on how the mobility parking permit is to be displayed and used," Mr Waite said.
"I would also like to see the infringement fee ($40) increased to where it is punitive and a penalty for those who abuse the scheme.
"We need to get real and have a decent sanction for those who offend. Our $40 is chicken feed compared to England and Scotland $2926, New South Wales $454 to $545, and Chicago $784."
CCS research showed that of the cars parked illegally in mobility parks, 11 per cent were trade or business vehicles.
Almost half of the drivers appeared to be under 40 years of age, male or female.
"This findings are appalling, disturbing and it's basically taking away the right of access to the community for a large number of people within our society" Mr Waite said.
- NZPA
