Disabled hope bigger fines will reduce illegal parking

Maurice Norton, displaying his mobility sticker, says the stiffer fines should work. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

Authorities hope a new law that more than triples the fine for those who park in disabled spaces will free the spaces for those who need them.

Under the law change, which came into effect yesterday and drivers who do not display a valid Disability Action permit will be fined $150, up from $40.

Disability Mobility Action parking scheme manager Peter Wilson hopes the increased cost will clear spaces.

"We hope the fine will change the behaviour of some of the people who are misusing the parks," he said.

"Unfortunately commonsense is not being used so we must bring in a penalty for those who don't play the game right."

Research commissioned by CCS Disability Mobility Action found 50 per cent of vehicles parked in spaces reserved for permit holders were parked illegally.

Auckland City councillor John Lister - deputy chairman of the council's transport committee - said the council had a zero tolerance approach to the misuse of mobility parking spaces and the $150 fine reflected the seriousness of the offence.

Mobility parking permit holder Maurice Norton said the change would work if enforced, and he was confident it would be.

He said drivers often parked illegally in the reserved spaces, which he found "very frustrating".

Mr Wilson said permit holders relied on have access to the parking spaces.