People with severe mobility issues should have a personalised parking spot, according to the disability commission, which is in talks with the transport watchdog on the issue.
Personalised parking bays, which are marked by the car’s number plate, would go against Transport Malta’s policy.
“We believe that there are people with severe mobility impairment, who drive their own car, especially wheelchair users, who should be given personalised reserved parking,” KNPD chairman Oliver Scicluna told this newspaper.
However, he cautioned against a free-for-all: “On the other hand, giving personalised reserved parking to everyone would create a jungle.”
Mr Scicluna was contacted after a woman, who has walking difficulties especially when it is windy and over long distances, was granted a parking space reserved for people with a disability in front of her apartment.
However, the parking spot is not reserved specifically for this woman, whose condition has been described by her doctors as “severe”.
This means that other drivers with a disabled badge, who sometimes are not disabled themselves but have a disabled relative, can park on this reserved spot.
When the transport watchdog was contacted, a spokesman said TM consulted directly with KNPD on issues of reserved parking for people with a disability.
The reserved bays – which are not personalised and may be used by any blue badge holders – are approved after residents submit an application with the Board for Reserved Parking for Disabled People. The personalised parking bays are not approved by the board, the spokesman added.
Mr Scicluna noted that since personalised parking spaces were not in line with TM’s policy, KNPD asked TM to investigate the reports it received about personalised parking spaces.
The commission was only responsible for the reserved parking appeals board, he added.
KNPD is aware that some local councils grant permission for personalised bays.
“I think that if there is a policy in place we should respect it. If we disagree, we should push for change and not create chaos by giving permission,” Mr Scicluna said.
Asked about concessions, Mr Scicluna noted that restricted exceptions should be acceptable, and KNPD was holding discussions with TM to see how the situation could be tackled.
This same issue is also being discussed at EU level since it seems that most member states face a similar situation when it comes to abuse of blue badges and reserved parking. “It is a fact that we are being stricter in issuing blue badges while respecting the criteria. The total number of blue badges has gone down by about 1,000 from last year.
“Obviously, there is the need for higher fines, more enforcement and more respect from the public,” Mr Scicluna added.