Australia —
Tougher penalties will soon face people who illegally
park their vehicle in a disabled persons bay.
Local Government Minister Tom
Stephens said the new penalties would deter those who
continued to violate parking laws.
Under the Local Government (Parking
for Disabled Persons) Regulation 1988 penalties would
double:
- from $60 to $120 for standing
or parking a vehicle in a disabled parking bay;
and
- from $70 to $140 for the
unauthorised use of an ACROD sticker.
"State and local laws require
parking to be reserved for people with severe
disabilities to provide easy access to services and
reduce the potential risk of injury," Mr Stephens
said.
"Increased penalties and stricter
enforcement of these penalties will help ensure
convenient and safer parking for people with
disabilities."
The Minister said the penalties had
not been increased since 1995 and would apply from June
26, 2004.
The move followed the Gallop
Government's successful public awareness campaign to
safeguard designated parking bays for people with
disabilities during the pre-Christmas shopping period
last year.
For more information, contact the
Department of Local Government and Regional Development
on 9217 1500 or visit the website at http://www.dlgrd.wa.gov.au/
More information about parking
permits for people with disabilities can be found at
http://www.acrod.org.au/divisions/wa.
Minister's office: 9213 6500
