Be Considerate!

Stealing disabled parking spots is on the rise

Lately, in the Klang Valley there has been a spike of cases where non-disabled drivers taking disabled parking spots. The lack of enforcement and with fake disabled stickers being available in shops only makes it easier for people to do so.

This caused a lot of grief amongst disabled drivers in finding parking spots.

Why is this problem cropping up?

Most drivers think that they can get away with it without getting fined. It speaks volumes about our general civic-mindedness nowadays, which is almost nil.

The current disabled parking sticker system is mostly based on trust. Sadly, the trust has been abused repeatedly by irresponsible drivers.

How do other countries fare compared to us?

UK: Blue Badge Parking Scheme

The Blue Badge Scheme is a service for disabled people to park close to where they need to go.

it is an offence for anyone to park at on-street Blue Badge parking spaces without a valid Blue Badge. Police officers and traffic attendants have the right to inspect Blue Badges. If you to fail to produce a badge for inspection, without reasonable excuse, you can get fined to maximum of £1,000.

Australia: The Australian Disability Parking Scheme (ADPS)

The ADPS features the nationally-recognised Australian Disability Parking Permit, with enhanced to reduce permits abuse. This permit is usable throughout all Australian states.

In some states, illegal parking in disabled spots will land you a fine of up to AUD519 and demerit points on your driving licence.

Meanwhile back here..

The local authorities need to keep up to speed in enforcing the law on disabled parking, preferably with heftier fines. The lack of enforcement will only cause more drivers to blatantly take up the disabled parking spots.

The whole disabled parking sticker system must be revamped. Disabled parking stickers must only be made available to legitimate disabled people*. This means, no more selling disabled stickers in shops.

In the end, the law can only do so much. It is up to each and every one of us to take heed of the needs of our disabled counterparts. Remember, a society is judged by the way it treats its most vulnerable members.

What kind of society do we want to be?

*disabled driver or when ferrying a disabled passenger

Pic credits: glamox.com