'Moral and social responsibility' to leave disabled spaces free
The government should consider doubling the fines for individuals who park in spaces allocated for disabled drivers.
That’s according to Tullamore’s John McFarlane, who has experienced first hand the frustration and inconvenience caused by inconsiderate members of the public parking in spaces allocated for disabled drivers.
Speaking this week, John, who is a member of the Disable Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI), says that the behaviour of some drivers leaves a lot to be desired.
“Not being able to get to the shops because an able bodied person has pinched a blue badge space is bad enough. But recently, I was parked legally in a blue badge space on the main street of a local town. I have to access my vehicle though the back doors but a car pulled in so close, on double yellow lines, I couldn’t open the doors to get in and I was stuck in the rain for twenty minutes until the driver returned. I was soaked, frustrated and angry and their response was 'use the driver’s door like everyone else does’ and drove off.”
John says that people are more likely to park in a disabled space at supermarkets and other private car parks. He also believes that the problem is exacerbated by some security staff working in these locations.
“Their attitude is that they are not there to police the carpark,” John claims.
While drivers have a “moral and social responsibility” to leave disabled parking spaces for those that need them, John says that the powers that be could do more to tackle the problem.
“Where prosecutions can take place there is a fine of €80 for misuse of spaces. It would be preferable if those fines could be increased to really deter abuses perhaps by doubling the fine. This was found to be the case in America where they took the fine from $100 to $400 per offence.”
The DDAI is hosting a free motorshow and conference in the RDS, Dublin on Friday, September 16 and Saturday, September 17.
The conference will cover key topics including the recent changes to the Car Tax Relief Scheme and Fuel Grant Scheme, finance options, securing wheelchairs and disabled passengers in transport and the cost and availability of vehicle adaptations for disabled drivers and passengers.
Founded in 1970, the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI) is a registered charity with over 5,000 members, working for disabled people, promoting independence and equal opportunity through mobility, education and training.