Mobility Parking Abuse Is A Widespread Issue

Mobility Parking Abuse Is A Widespread Issue

“The Acting Prime Minister’s drivers are among the 42% of people who use mobility parks illegally,” says Peter Wilson, National Manager of the Mobility Parking Permit Scheme, CCS Disability Action.

“We’ve researched this issue by actually sitting and watching mobility parks around the country and we were very disappointed by the number of people using the parks that shouldn’t be. This is an incredibly wide spread issue and people need to be aware of the impact this abuse has on people with a disability just trying to go about their day.”

Mobility parks are wider than standard parks to allow a person to get out of the car and into their wheelchair. In many cases mobility parks are also located closer to services and venues. It isn’t an option for many of the 100,000 permit holders in New Zealand to pop along to another park down the road.”

People who abuse the mobility parks think that as they’re just popping into the shop and will only be 5 minutes, it doesn’t matter. CCS Disability Action research shows that 80% of people who abuse the parks do so for less than 15 minutes. But this is enough time for someone who really needs the park to not be able to get to their appointment or to the shops.

Mobility parks are available for people with a Mobility Parking Scheme Permit, and are used predominantly by people with long term impairments. However, a short term permit is available for people who have a temporary impairment, such as a broken leg. If Minister English would like to visit his GP for an assessment he may well be eligible for a temporary mobility parking permit for $30.

CCS Disability Action campaigned hard to have the fines increased to $150 last year. This fine increase has reduced the amount of abuse from 50%, but illegal use of mobility parks is still as high as 42% in some areas.

“Mobility parking gives people access to the community – being able to get to work, to the bank and to get to the shops,” says Mr Wilson.

“Any use of a mobility park by someone who is not the approved user of a valid permit creates a barrier to community participation for a large section of the community.”

ENDS

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