The prevalence of able-bodied drivers parking in disabled parking bays has caused quite a stir on social media lately.
Among the numerous complaints received, a community member sent in pictures of a silver Mercedes Benz parking in a disabled parking bay at Rock Cottage at about 5.50pm on 24 January.
JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Edna Mamonyane commented, “We have only a few disabled parking bays on public roads. The drivers that park there must ensure that they have a valid disabled parking sticker.” Supt Mamonyane further explained that, should the motor vehicle not have a valid sticker, it will be towed away. This will result in the owner paying for not only a fine for the infringement but the impound fee as well which, according to Supt Mamonyane, could be around R2 000.
However, the most complaints were received regarding parking bays at shopping centres. Supt Mamonyane said, “This is private property and we do not patrol those areas unless we have a working relationship with the shopping centre.”
Gauteng Provincial Association for Persons with Disabilities (GPAPD) access and placement officer, Fanie Swanepoel said, “It is a good and important thing to try and educate the community. It is ultimately up to the shopping centre to follow City of Joburg’s bylaws.”
• No person may park or cause or permit to be parked any vehicle or allow a vehicle to be or remain in a pay-and-display parking ground unless immediately upon entering the parking ground:
• The person displays such ticket by affixing it to the inside of the driver’s side of the front windscreen of the vehicle in such a manner and place that the information printed on the ticket by the pay-and-display machine is readily legible from the outside of the vehicle.
It must be noted that currently every municipality/traffic department has their own criteria for the issuing of the parking disc for persons with disabilities.
Persons with physical disabilities that are in need of authorised disability parking disks, can submit the attached application form to:
Jubilee House Director office, Wemmer complex , Village Road entrance on 22 Loveday Street,
in Selby. For further details, contact them at 011 490 1513 or 011 490 1505.
Documents needed:
•Application form –please obtain form from traffic department
•Copy of the ID of the applicant
•Medical certificate stating the candidate’s disability and the permanent status or duration thereof.
The disc gets issued in the applicant’s name and can be used in any vehichle.
Details: GPAPD Gauteng West office, 011 838 3012.
