Government toughens up on disabled parking fines

25/6/04
Tougher penalties will soon face people who illegally park their vehicle in a disabled persons bay.
Local Government Minister Tom Stephens said the new penalties would deter those who continued to violate parking laws.
Under the Local Government (Parking for Disabled Persons) Regulation 1988 penalties would double:

• from $60 to $120 for standing or parking a vehicle in a disabled parking bay; and
• from $70 to $140 for the unauthorised use of an ACROD sticker.

"State and local laws require parking to be reserved for people with severe disabilities to provide easy access to services and reduce the potential risk of injury," Mr Stephens said.
"Increased penalties and stricter enforcement of these penalties will help ensure convenient and safer parking for people with disabilities."
The Minister said the penalties had not been increased since 1995 and would apply from June 26, 2004.
The move followed the Gallop Government's successful public awareness campaign to safeguard designated parking bays for people with disabilities during the pre-Christmas shopping period last year.
For more information, contact the Department of Local Government and Regional Development on 9217 1500 or visit the website at http://www.dlgrd.wa.gov.au
More information about parking permits for people with disabilities can be found at http://www.acrod.org.au/divisions/wa.
Minister's office: 9213 6500