The Disabled Drivers Association (DDAI) has initiated a movement to introduce a novel text alert mechanism to inform attendants about unauthorised parking in disability bays. The association is urging councils across the country to employ this system in order to tackle the issue of disabled parking spaces being misused. As part of their campaign launch, the DDAI commissioned a survey which discovered that nearly every respondent (94%) would be supportive of such an alert service.
Interestingly, the same poll revealed that less than half of the populace (42%) had ever challenged a perpetrator committing this parking offence. The reasons given for not challenging included a fear of hostile interactions, potential verbal or physical abuse, shyness, or the belief that such interference might simply not be worth the potential backlashes.
One individual participating in the survey voiced their frustration by labelling the perpetrators as not just rude, entitled and considerate, but capable of demonstrating aggressive behaviour as well. The survey, completed by over 2,600 respondents, had a female majority of 68%.
The DDAI is set to formally kick-off its text alert campaign at their Annual General Meeting at the Connacht Hotel in Galway this coming Saturday. A similar text alert system is currently operational in several locations in Dublin, including Lucan and Rathfarnham, and additionally in Gorey, Co Wexford. Under existing laws, it is an offence to occupy a designated parking spot in public areas without a valid permit, and culprits could be fined.
DDAI’s marketing manager, Richard Ryder, highlighted that the issue of unauthorised parking in disabled bays is widespread, irrespective of the penalty threats, emphasising the urgency for a practical solution. In a statement, he said “we are urging city and county councils to begin using a Text Alert Scheme in their areas. It’s safe, it’s easy, and it’s a significant deterrent”.