Call for tougher action on drivers caught parking in disabled spaces
Selfish motorists are making it far more difficult for people with a disability to find a parking space — and the number of people getting caught is staggering.
- Huge spike in number of disabled parking permits
- Number of drivers eligible for disabled parking in South Australia
- Low-life motorists: New crackdown on disabled parking
- Adelaide’s disabled drivers being shut-out by permit abuse
The number of motorists caught parking without a permit in disabled spaces across metropolitan Adelaide jumped by more than 50 per cent last financial year, new figures show.
The alarming increase has sparked calls for more disabled parks to be provided and for drivers caught breaking the rules to be slapped with the loss of a demerit point.
In 2018/19, 3549 motorists were pinged for parking in disabled carparks across 18 council areas, including Adelaide, Burnside, West Torrens, Unley and Gawler.
This was up from the 2343 fines handed out the previous financial year.
Dignity Party president Rick Neagle said some drivers were “flushed with funds” and showed little consideration for people in genuine need of the disabled parks.
“Give the licence holder loss of a demerit point because it is a bigger penalty and that would deter a lot more people from parking in an accessible park designed for others,” Mr Neagle said.
“The problem is getting larger.”
Disability Advocacy & Complaints Service of SA chief executive Kendall Field said fining motorists went part of the way towards solving the problem.
“The bottom line is, there also needs to be more accessible parking and a greater understanding and acceptance of disability within the broader community,” Ms Field says.
“Accessibility is critical to achieving genuine inclusion in our community.”
Of the supplied data, Adelaide City Council issued the most fines, at 941. This was up from 644 the previous year.
Walkerville had the biggest rise in fines handed out, jumping 272.7 per cent from 33 in 2017/18 to 123 a year later.
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Salisbury, Playford, Campbelltown, Norwood Payneham & St Peters and Mitcham all recorded drops.
All councils reported a proportion of fines were waived because the driver simply forgot to display a disabled permit, and encouraged drivers to be more vigilant.
The State Government sets the $371 fine.
Adelaide City Council spokesman Steve Zaluski said his council’s 46 per cent jump in fines was “concerning”.
“The increase in driver noncompliance shows a lack of consideration for drivers who need to use these bays,” Mr Zaluski said.
“Disability parking bays are specifically designed for drivers who hold a disability parking permit and these drivers are not always able to use a standard parking bay.”
Most fines were handed out at shopping centre carparks, including Westfield Marion and Burnside Village.
Other problem areas included Brougham Place in North Adelaide, Adelaide Airport and the Adelaide Showground.
University of South Australia urban and regional planning program director Andrew Allan said parking was at a premium at busy shopping centres.
“There are some people that will say ‘it is only going to be for five minutes’ … and use (a disabled park) like a normal parking space,” Mr Allan said.
He said councils needed to make sure disabled spaces were clearly marked and not faded.
Jasmine Williams, whose daughter April, 6, has a rare degenerative condition and cannot walk or talk, said it was often difficult to find a disabled park.
“There is not enough disability parks — we find that quite often,” Ms Williams, of Surrey Downs, said.
“But some people (who park illegally) just don’t care to be honest … its frustrating.
“We never expected to be in the position where we have this need, whereas others don’t and there is not really much empathy.”
Charles Brice, of Adelaide, broke his neck in a motorbike accident in 2010 which left him quadriplegic.
He supported the call for drivers caught parking in disabled parks without a permit to lose a demerit point.
“It needs to be policed more, whether it is demerits or what have you,” Mr Brice said.
“It would definitely be a deterrent.”
The State Government is consulting on its First Disability Inclusion Plan, which aims to support people with a disability, until the end of the month.
The plan includes “designating more accessible carparks” for people with a disability.
Transport Minister Stephan Knoll said: “The availability of parking for people with disability is an important part of a liveable community.”