Clampdown on blue sticker abuse pays dividends

The number of blue stickers issued to people with mobility problems was cut by 20 per cent between June and October 2006, following a clampdown by the National Commission Persons with Disability (KNPD).

Of 251 applications between June and October 2006, only 110 were granted and a further 54 were given on a temporary basis. A further 54 were turned down and a 33 applications were withdrawn.

The stickers entitle the person to use parking spaces reserved for the disabled.

As from last year, applicants for a blue sticker must be vetted by the KNPD's doctor, against more clearly defined criteria. The commission set a one-time Lm5 fee for applicants, which includes review in the case of a temporary sticker, although the fee must be re-paid for a new application if the previous one was turned down.

The number of stickers withdrawn after the death of the holder has also increased substantially, through the joint efforts of the KNPD and the police.

Between January and July 2006, 102 blue stickers were returned, and affidavits were taken by relatives of 29 others on the basis that the sticker had been lost. The clampdown is being made to curb abuse of the limited number of reserved disabled parking spaces so that genuine cases are not inconvenienced.

The recommendation is that one in every 10 parking spaces is reserved for blue ticket holders although this is a rather simplistic rule of thumb for such a complex situation, KNPD executive director Alfred Bezzina admitted. "Imagine if you were to force a large supermarket to have 30 parking places for disabled persons," he said.

However, there is clearly a problem, judging by the number of complaints received from people with mobility problems who simply cannot find vacant reserved spaces. The KNPD believes that the first step is to ensure that blue stickers are only issued to those who genuinely have mobility problems and then to ensure that the stickers are used when the person is actually in the car.

"We know of too many cases of relatives using the blue stickers only so that they can park wherever they want to. All you have to do is sit and watch the people parking in reserved spaces at St Luke's Hospital. Although mobility problems may not always be immediately visible or noticeable, there is clearly abuse," Mr Bezzina said. Another problem was that the stickers were not returned once the person had died. "We are investigating reports of a student who is using a blue sticker issued for his aunt who is now dead," he said, shaking his head.

In the meantime, another issue has emerged that has raised the ire of those with severe mobility problems who have reserved parking spaces outside their homes.

Two years ago, the KNPD had agreed with the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) it was a shame that reserved parking spaces were sometimes left empty for most of the day. The ADT subsequently ruled that these could be used by holders of blue stickers. However, the well-intentioned move has angered those who found their spaces occupied by blue sticker holders. The KNPD subsequently reversed its decision and has recommended that the ADT withdrew the concession. An ADT decision is pending.

"If there were enough public parking spaces, blue sticker holders would not have clamoured to use reserved spaces," Mr Bezzina said. "We are doing all we can to ensure that the concessions are used by those who need them."