Rise in drivers caught abusing disabled bays

MORE than 1,300 drivers have been reprimanded for illegally using disabled parking spaces in Dundee.

Statistics released as part of Dundee City Council’s annual parking report revealed a significant increase in the number of drivers obstructing disabled drivers during the past year.

In excess of 1,000 drivers were handed fines after being caught parked i n their neighbours’ residential disabled bay.

A total of 226 drivers also received charges for being illegally parked in disabled spaces within counciloperated car parks, an increase of 110 compared with the previous year.

In all, 1,312 drivers were reprimanded for taking disabled drivers’ spaces during the past 12 months.

The figures have been met with frustration by disability rights campaigners.

Jennifer Wilson, who has campaigned for increased disabled changing areas in Dundee and whose daughter Lacey suffers from a bowel and bladder condition, said: “People should be fined if they are using spaces wrongly.

“It’s hard enough for disabled people to get out and about as it is. It’s unfair to park in a disabled bay if you are not disabled.”

Ian Smith, I nclusion Scotland’s local policy and engagement manager, said: “The key thing from our perspective is that drivers who don’t have the right to be parked in these spaces are denying the rights of disabled people t o get access to the services they need.

“A lot of people thought this was something they could maybe get away with. But a change in enforcement policy has made it easier for local authorities, leading to more people being caught. The hope now is that it doesn’t go up next year and that people behave.”

A council spokesman said the figures increase represented a rise “in business activity” within Dundee.

She said: “Parking restrictions are in place to help ensure safety f or pedestrians and motorists.

“These figures reflect an increase in business activity in the city. Mobile patrols have been introduced and this has proved to be a positive change for improvement to make Dundee’s streets safer to use.”