With increasing population density, car ownership and ageing population, parking space is at premium. Councils, to their credit, provide, “White Line” (WL) outside disabled residents’ homes, making it criminal offence to block. As such, only police can give tickets or tow cars away. Traffic wardens (TW) have no authority to issue parking fines.
But on most part, uncaring people blatantly ignore it; block such homes at will, as on most part residents are reluctant to call police, as police have more serious and urgent matters to attend to.
I had a lengthy discussion with one of our Councillors, urging him to decimalize such offences, thus giving power to TW to issue parking fines, in line with parking on Double Yellow Lines, Overstaying Parking Meters or Parking in Residents’ only zone.
As most Councils charge for installing WL, they should also provide additional service, installing notices such as “Disabled Access, No Parking.” Most residents would be willing pay for such additional services. It should also be regularly patrolled, bringing in much needed revenue to Council coffers from persisting offenders.
I hope AV could have broadly based “Agony Aunt” column where readers could air their problems, in line with immigration advice AV provide. With changing attitude, increased selfishness, lack of respects for elderly, life is becoming difficult for OAPs who are being bullied, exploited by their own families, friends and neighbours without lacerating their conscience. Perhaps this is the onset of “Kaluga” as our scripture’s predicted!
Kumudini Valambia
By email
