Punishing the dozy parkers
Another day another public menace given short shrift by the authorities!
Yesterday we reported how a drive-by litter lout was stung by a £150 fine for dropping cans from his car.
There are few things which annoy people more than litter louts, but those who abuse parking rules run them a close second.
And of those who flout the parking rules, it’s the disabled bay abusers who really drive people crazy.
Fortunately, as we reveal today, Sunderland appears to be clamping down on the worst offenders.
Motorists have been fined more than 1,600 times in the last three years for abusing disabled parking bays. And the clampdown has the added benefit of boosting city coffers.
The fines dished out have helped rake in £41, 447. Councillor Amy Wilson, cabinet member for Environment and Transport, has played a straight bat in explaining the authority’s position on parking abuse.
She said: “Parking enforcement is part of this strategy and The Highway Code also sets down a series of obligations for motorists when it comes to parking,” she said. “The council keeps its parking policies and enforcement under continual review.
“In recent years, the council has increased its enforcement resources, stepped up the enforcement of Blue Badge misuse and enforcement outside of weekday business hours.”
It’s a low key response to a huge improvement in tackling this vexing issue.
Three years ago only 121 disabled parking bay abusers were issued tickets.
Over the last year they’ve snared 759. That’s a significant improvement which we’re happy to shout from the rooftops. Let’s look to hammer more in the coming year.