Coloured disability parks mean blues for cheats

Hogging parking spaces reserved for disabled drivers has just got harder in the Far North.

Mobility parking spaces are being painted bright blue to make them stand out and discourage able-bodied drivers from using them.

The Far North District Council has so far painted 14 parking spaces in Kaitaia, Kerikeri, Paihia, Kaikohe, Moerewa and Kawakawa with funding from the council's Disability Action Group. More will be painted as money becomes available.

Group chairman David Senior said mobility parking spaces were meant for people who couldn't walk more than 200m unaided and who had a mobility parking permit.

Yet many able-bodied motorists used mobility parks, claiming not to notice the signs reserving them for disabled drivers. That excuse wouldn't wash when a mobility park was painted bright blue.

"It may not seem like a big deal, but depriving a disabled driver or disabled passenger of a mobility parking space can mean they're unable to carry out an important errand such as shopping for food or visiting a doctor."

Mr Senior said he hoped it would deter parking cheats and appealed to the public to report misuse.

A developer had voluntarily painted all 12 of his mobility parks blue after an approach from the group. The cost of painting a standard-sized disabled parking space of 3.5x5m was about $500, he said.

The fine for illegal use of a of mobility parking space is $150; call the council on 0800 920 029 or (09) 401 5200 to dob in a cheat.

Mobility parking permits are issued by CCS Disability Action and require a medical certificate. Go to http://mobilityparking.org.nz or call 0800 227 2255.