Blue Mobility Parking Spaces

A recent study shows that by making Mobility Parks more visible by painting them blue, illegal use of these spaces is hugely decreased with the great outcome being that more disabled people are able to use them to access and contribute to their communities.

MEDIA RELEASE FROM CCS DISABILITY ACTION
Friday 22 February 2008

VIVID MOBILITY PARKING SPACES DETER MISUSE
Research from CCS Disability Action shows that painting mobility parking spaces with vivid colours deters misuse.

Six mobility parking spaces were monitored during a study supported by Land Transport New Zealand, Waitakere City Council, Auckland City Council and Fulton Hogan.  The spaces were monitored by Research NZ prior to being painted and twice again afterwards.

Before being painted, 55% of people using the mobility parking spaces were doing so illegally, without a valid mobility parking permit.

The parking spaces were then painted blue with yellow road markings by research partner Fulton Hogan.  Three months later the rate of misuse had dropped to 51%.  The parking spaces were monitored again three months later and the level of misuse had dropped to 42%.

During the same period the number of vehicles using the parking spaces with a valid mobility parking permit had risen from 40% to 52%.

Peter Wilson, Mobility Parking Permit Scheme Manager, finds the research encouraging.

“This study shows that increased visibility affects the rate of misuse and genuine mobility parking users benefit from the freed up spaces,” says Peter Wilson.

Recent amendments to Land Transport Rules mean people using mobility parking spaces without displaying a valid CCS Disability Action mobility parking permit will face consistent national penalties with fine increases expected to be set at $150 by the Ministry of Transport.

“Mobility parking permit holders rely on these parking spaces to access and contribute to their community.  Hopefully increased fines and more visible parking will mean more permit holders being able to access parking spaces in their communities”.

While the legislative change has a huge impact on access to public mobility parking there are still concerns with privately owned car parks and their mobility parking.

“It would be great to see private parking owners making their mobility parking spaces more visible and adopting some of the principles in the new legislation.  Blocking disabled people from getting on with their business, shopping and leisure activities is still a big problem in New Zealand.”

*ENDS*

For more information about the research, mobility parking or the legislation change contact:
Peter Wilson
Mobility Parking Permit Scheme Manager
CCS Disability Action, National Office
Wellington
TEL 027 292 1922
EMAIL

Do you think that painting the mobility parks in Whangarei blue would increase their visibility and decrease their illegal use?  Post your comment below; we can present your views at the next DSRG meeting.