Kuching City South Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato James Chan’s statement that the council may resort to clamping cars parked illegally in bays designated for disabled people is most welcome. These facilities are often abused by inconsiderate drivers who do not give a thought about the inconveniences they are causing.
Clamping may deter such acts to a certain extent. A hefty fine to go with it will increase the deterrent effect. However, these do not solve the immediate problem. The clamped car will still be occupying the bay, depriving others from using them. A better solution is to tow the offending car away and free up the bay.
Chan also said the accessible parking bays are only for genuine disabled drivers who drive their own car. They have to apply for a sticker issued by MBKS. Otherwise, they too will not be entitled to park free of charge in these bays. This is to find out the number of disabled drivers with valid driving licence and car. The amount of bays will be increased if there is a need.
The requirement of official stickers to use these bays is a good move to prevent abuse. Nevertheless, MBKS should bear in mind that not all disabled people who drive own the cars directly. They may be bought under the spouse’s or family member’s name. Additionally, the delay in issuing the stickers to cars carrying disabled passengers over concerns of abuse is disappointing, to say the least.
Not every disabled person can drive but every disabled person should have the right to go out and use accessible facilities in public places without hindrances. Ideally, there should be no discrimination between driver, passenger and car owners. Anyone who needs these bays should be allowed to use them.
Accessible parking bays are wider than regular ones for a reason. The MS 1184: 2014 Universal design and accessibility in the built environment – Code of practice (Second revision) requires the minimum dimension of accessible parking bays to be 3.6m by 5.4m as compared to regular bays which are typically 2.4m by 4.8m.
The extra width allows for the car door to be fully opened and to accommodate a wheelchair or walker by the side. Regardless of whether the wheelchair user is a driver or passenger, both require the same amount of space to get in and out of the car.
The common impression is that the disabled passenger can be dropped off and the driver can go look for a regular parking bay after that. Stopping the car to drop the disabled passenger off by the side of the road is dangerous. Both driver and passenger run the risk of being knocked down by passing vehicles.
What if the disabled person require support by the road side while the driver is away? What if the driver cannot find a regular parking bay after circling around for 30 minutes? What if the passenger is a child? Is it safe to leave a disabled child alone by the roadside while the parent go hunting for a regular parking bay?
As it is, disabled people have to struggle with a very inaccessible public transportation. Restricting cars with disabled passengers them from using the parking bays is akin to making it even more difficult for them to go out and lead a productive life.
Rules are made to ensure facilities are properly used. Accessible parking bays are for the convenience and safety of people who need that extra space. Flexibility, consideration and empathy should be applied in this case. Rules should not be so rigid that they become a barrier to disabled people’s active participation in society.
On the same matter, we must realise that people with mobility impairments are not limited to those who hold Kad OKU. Most senior citizens with walking difficulties are not registered as disabled persons. They too require the use of accessible parking bays when they are out and about.
And then there are those with temporary impairments, like a fractured leg, who have to use a wheelchair or crutches for a couple of months. They are not eligible to apply for a Kad OKU. They too need to use these bays and should be allowed to use them as well. To prevent abuse, they can be issued with a sticker that has to be renewed quarterly and revoked as soon as they have recovered.
The local authorities in Penang allow parents or caregivers to apply for parking stickers for using accessible parking bays subject to the submission of relevant documents. The stickers are valid for two years and can be renewed by returning the expired sticker.
In the United Kingdom, the blue badge parking permit is issued to either eligible passenger or driver, and can even be used in any vehicle the disabled person is travelling as a passenger. The permit is valid up to three years. It cannot be renewed automatically and has to be applied for again by showing proof of continued eligibility.
The models on inclusive parking policies in Penang and the United Kingdom that include disabled passengers and non-car owners are good examples to be emulated. A certain amount of misuse is acceptable initially in order not to segregate disabled people who do not drive. Fine-tuning the procedures along the way is better than the harsh decision in not allowing cars with disabled passengers to use the bays.
Having said all that, MBKS must still be lauded for making this effort in improving accessibility for disabled people in Kuching. There is still a lot that needs to be done but every small step taken is a step forward in the making of a more inclusive society.