Let’s round up these cowboys and girls

This  chap ducked into a mobility parking space in front of me, at Auckland City’s Middlemore Hospital and jumped out of his car, seemingly as fit as a fiddle. I gave him a blast on my van’s horn and pointed to my card, which was on my dashboard. He responded by showing me his card and waved me on, rather angrily.  Now this guy may have an invisible disability but I have my serious doubts.
A lot of people have told me similar infuriating stories over the years, which has left legitimate mobility card users high and dry, with no place to park. My Middlemore Hospital confrontation happened a week or so ago and has played on my mind ever since. I asked myself two questions.  What exactly are the criteria to legitimately own a mobility parking card and what is the procedure to report abuse of this entitlement?

As stated on the CSS disability action website www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/ “A Mobility Parking Permit enables the permit holder, whether he or she is the driver or passenger, to park conveniently close to their destination in accessible reserved parking spaces or park longer than the stated time in some standard car parks and metered spaces. A permit holder must be unable to walk and be reliant on a wheelchair for mobility, or rely on mobility devices (eg. crutches, walking sticks, walking frames), or be unable to walk more than 200 metres unassisted because of the nature/severity of your  condition. If you have a temporary disability (e.g. a broken leg) you may also be eligible.

Here is the important bit. The website also reminds people that the permit is registered to you as an individual. It can only be used when you are in the vehicle and its not transferable to another person, although if you are a passenger in someone else's vehicle, you can still use your permit.

In 2009 CCS Disability Action carried out an extensive study of abuse nationwide and was instrumental in getting the fine raised from $40 to $150, so it’s well worth while reporting these dubious car park hi-jackers.

CCS Disability Action recommends reporting the card number of the offending individual to one of their many local offices, then his/her details could be checked out on their database.  It’s also the car park owner’s responsibility to patrol their own car parks.  Therefore it is suggested that the car park owners should be advised of the fact that unauthorized people are parking in the mobility spaces.

So come on people. Let’s report these cowboys. Once they are hit in the pocket with a $150 fine (or two), they will soon get the message

Ross Flood