The parking blunder that could cost you $533

There’s good reason for drivers in Brisbane to start paying extra attention to where they park after fines were doubled in the Queensland capital.

Drivers busted sleuthing into a parking bay they shouldn’t be using can now be slapped with a $533 fine as part of a tough state government crackdown.

The penalty was doubled for drivers in Brisbane who dare to sneak into a disabled parking bay without appropriate certification.

The Brisbane City Council began enforcing the new regulation last week after the Queensland government increased its limit on possible fines, allowing the previous $266 penalty to be doubled.

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Brisbane drivers can be hit with a $533 fine if they park in a disabled bay. Picture: Supplied

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“Our enforcement officers will be out on the road, as they always are, so this will be an offence that they will fine people for,” the council’s infrastructure chairman David McLachlan, told ABC Radio.

People who selfishly parked in bays reserved for those living with a disability were described “arrogant and nasty” by Queensland’s Transport Minister Mark Bailey in parliament last year.

Hundreds agreed with his sentiment after a graphic announcing the new fine was shared to Facebook by NRMA Insurance last week.

“About time. People who park in disabled car spaces need to be taught a lesson. Lazy, arrogant and thoughtless,” one person wrote in a comment.

“Will make people think twice about being selfish ratbags,” another said.

“It is about common sense and courtesy and respect for those who need the disabled parking,” a third wrote.

Some took issue with the NRMA suggesting the increased fine would “make our roads safer” and argued that parking was a separate matter.

“It’s not designed to make our roads safer, it’s designed to keep people without permits out of the parking spaces,” one person pointed out.

“It’s got nothing to do with road safety. It’s to enforce the law against the mongrels who use these spaces illegally,” another added.

The same offence carries a $600 fine in the ACT, a $581 fine in NSW and $165 fine in Victoria.

Originally published as The parking blunder that could cost you $533