Law proposal which provides for the increase in fines for those who illegally park in disabled spacesEDEK MP Andreas Apostolou testified in Parliament on Thursday (5/10).
The parking spaces marked in blue belong only to people with disabilities who are holders of the special parking card issued by the Department for Social Integration of Persons with Disabilities (TKEAA). Whether the point of reference is public parking spaces, or private spaces, in apartment buildings, offices and shops, the Legislation provides for the reporting of responsible vehicle drivers.
According to the law, the fine for illegal parking in handicapped spaces it is €300. This amount may be high, but apparently it is not a deterrent since we all often witness illegal parking by reckless drivers.
What does the proposed law provide for?
Wanting to put an end to illegality, EDEK MP Andreas Apostolou prepared and filed a bill which is expected to be discussed in the Transport committee in the next period. Speaking to OffsiteNews, Mr. Apostolou said that "after discussions I had with the associations of people with disabilities and chronic patients, it became clear that illegal parking in places with disabilities. I think it is imperative to open the debate on increasing the penalties."
As stated in the explanatory statement of the proposed law "the amendment of the Law on the Regulation of Extrajudicial Offenses is considered necessary in order to resolve the problems related to the right to unhindered movement of persons with disabilities, which is a basic condition for their participation in society" .
According to the proposed law, if someone illegally parks for the first time in a disabled space the fine increases from €300 to €500. At the same time, however, in the event that someone person repeats the offence, the EDEK deputy recommends that no fine be issued but that the person be subject to prosecution under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles and Traffic Regulations, which provide that anyone who violates them is guilty of an offense and is subject to a prison sentence of up to one year and/or a fine of €1.708.
OffsiteNews also contacted Mr. Dimitris Lambrianidis, president of the Paraplegics Organization of Cyprus, who expressed his satisfaction with the submission of the bill. "The increase in the fine is a positive development and we hope that it will prevent illegal parking in disabled spaces."
At the same time, Mr. Lambrianidis emphasized that a way should be found so that there is control in relation to the use of the blue card. "Relatives of disabled people have been observed using the blue card without the disabled person being in the vehicle and parking in the designated spaces."
During the discussion of the proposed law, a large dialogue is expected to open in relation to people with disabilities, parking spaces and the blue card, for which it is possible that there will be some differences in relation to its beneficiaries.
Source: Offsite.news
