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Motorists unlawfully parking in mobility spaces on the day tougher fines came into force had a variety of excuses for their actions yesterday.
The Herald spent some time observing drivers at the Westfield shopping mall in St Luke's, Auckland and in one case saw a motorist carrying a number of shopping bags returned to his vehicle.
Most approached declined to give a reason for parking where they were but others gave excuses including, "picking someone up," and "waiting."
When new rules came into force yesterday, the fine for people who park illegally in an on-street mobility impaired parking space jumped from $40 to $150.
New Zealand Parking Association chairman Colin Waite said: "It is infuriating for disabled people to see people abusing these special parking spaces and the tougher fine should significantly reduce the problem for them."
The only motorists allowed to use these parking spaces are people or drivers whose disabilities meet a strict criteria and who cannot walk unaided, including the visually impaired, or have difficulty in walking and are displaying recognised parking permits.
Mobility card holders spoke enthusiastically about the changes and agreed it was frustrating for them when mobility parking spaces were occupied by non card holders.
Mr Waite said Thursday was D-Day for "lazy and self-centred" motorists who unlawfully parked in mobility spaces and he would be recommending to parking wardens around New Zealand to adopt a zero tolerance to mobility parking offending.
"Those motorists found parking in a disability parking space and not displaying a permit will soon find their behaviours becoming quite expensive," he said.
