CHANGES TO THE MOBILITY PARKING PERMIT SCHEME
In recent years, CCS Disability Action has been hard at work lobbying for improvements to the Mobility Parking Permit Scheme.
Most of the improvements have been in relation to changes to legislation. As you can see below this is a very complicated area.
In summary, we have lobbied for the following:
· New definition - only vehicles with a disabled driver or passenger, displaying a valid permit,
can use a mobility parking space (on-road parking only)
· The fine for misuse of a mobility parking space has risen to $150
· Still lobbying for property owners and other Road Control Authorities (RCAs) providing
off-road mobility parking to ensure that enforcement of mobility parking happens.
Fine Levels
CCS Disability Action has worked with the Ministry of Transport to make changes to legislation to increase the fine levels for the misuse of mobility parking spaces.
As a result, a new amendment to the Road Transport Rules came into effect on 17 January 2008.
Read our press release about the changes to the Road Transport Rule...
In summary, the new rule states that only vehicles where the driver or passenger are disabled, with an approved disabled person’s parking permit, such as a CCS Disability Action Mobility Parking Permit, prominently displayed in the vehicle are able to use a mobility parking space.
This applies to on-road public parking only and does not include private parking providers such as supermarkets and shopping malls.
On 26 June 2008, the fine for the abuse of a mobility parking space increased from $40 to $150.
Permit holders must ensure that their Mobility Parking Permit is valid and clearly visible or they too will receive parking infringement notices.
To read the Land Transport (Road User) Amendment Rule (No 2) 2007...
To read the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004...
Enforcement – Rules and Best Practice
Parking provision and enforcement, for either public or private use, is the responsibility of road controlling authorities or RCAs.
The Traffic Control Devices Rule, in relation to a road, states that an RCA:
a. means the authority, body or person having control of the road; and
b. includes a person acting under and within the terms of a delegation or authorisation given by the controlling authority.
These can be either:
· local councils (called TAs or territorial authorities in the Rule)
· regional councils
· other Crown entities that manage and maintain roads (e.g. Department of Conservation)
· private landowners providing car parks for public use, including supermarkets, hospitals,
airports and universities
· private landowners
An RCA may provide off-street public parking spaces; for instance, in multi-storey car parks for general use subject to a charge or conditions, or private parking spaces for use by specific invitation only.
Read the Traffic Control Devices Rule...
Public parking
Public parking is controlled by either the local RCA or a private company, that which, subject to the road user meeting the conditions imposed by either organisation, the general public are invited or have a right to use.
Private owners who invite the public to park on their property (e.g. supermarkets or hospitals) are considered RCAs and therefore have responsibility to manage the signing and marking of parking
Signage and Marking – Best Practice
CCS Disability Action believes that signage and marking for mobility parks needs to be consistent across all RCA and private parking providers offering off and/or on-road parking.
Overseas research shows that clear signage and road marking combined with enforcement such as fines, towing and clamping, have the greatest effect on reducing mobility parking abuse.
CCS Disability Action’s own research on road marking shows that abuse of mobility parks is reduced by as much as 13% when the parks are painted blue with yellow road markings.
CCS Disability Action believes that the following examples are best practice design in relation to signage and road marking for mobility parks.
Council Receives Award for Painting the Town Blue
In 2008, CCS Disability Action gave Gisborne District Council an award for their outstanding commitment to making mobility parking spaces highly visible across the city.
Learn more about the council’s award…
Research Studies
CCS Disability Action has completed three pieces of research on who uses and abuses mobility parks.
We have recorded abuse of mobility parks as high as 50% of vehicles using the parks.
To read more about the research...
We have completed research on the impact painted mobility parking spaces have on reducing parking abuse. With painted mobility spaces there was a 13% reduction in abuse levels.
Read our press release about this research…
Read more about the 2007 research and conclusions…
For more information about the research, mobility parking or the legislation changes, contact:
Peter Wilson
CCS Disability Action, National Development Manager
Tel: 027 292 1922
Email: peter.wilson@ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz