A disability advocacy group in New Zealand has praised a new increase in fines for people who park in mobility spaces without a permit. Starting October 1, the penalty for parking in these spaces without authorisation will rise from $150 to $750. This change is part of broader updates to parking fines and towing fees announced by the Government.
CCS Disability Action, which manages the mobility parking scheme, has been pushing for tougher penalties and consistent enforcement across all parking areas. BJ Clark, the group’s Access and Infrastructure National Manager, said this move could help the 170,000 users of the mobility parking scheme by discouraging people from using spaces they aren’t entitled to.
Clark noted that “mobility parking abuse is rife in New Zealand,” with nearly one-third of people using these spaces without the necessary permit. He emphasised the importance of accessible parking, saying it can be crucial for people to complete everyday tasks like shopping, attending medical appointments, or meeting family members.
Clark also pointed out that the increased fines align New Zealand more closely with countries like Australia, where similar penalties are around $500. He hopes that the additional revenue from these fines will be used to improve accessibility for people with disabilities across the country.
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