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Driver's 'inconsiderate' park highlights common oversight

A driver's 'infuriating' park next to a disabled parking bay in South Australia has sparked anger online, highlighting a common oversight some motorists make.

A disabled woman took to a Facebook page dedicated to disabled parking bay complaints to share an image of her car in a disabled parking bay in Noarlunga Centre on Wednesday.

To the right of her vehicle is another SUV in an ordinary parking space, however it is encroaching into her space.

"This behaviour is driving me nuts and hurting me! This is happening more and more," she said.

She explained she parked to the left side of her space to allow her to fully open her car door to be able to access her vehicle.

The disabled motorist lambasted what she called a recurring problem. Source: Facebook
The disabled motorist lambasted what she called a recurring problem. Source: Facebook

Dozens were quick to reveal they too had endured similar scenarios.

"I feel you, [it's] so bloody rude, I have had the similar experiences," one person said.

"It’s not just about being able to open the door wide which of course is really important, but also about how does the wheelchair fit between the cars," another wrote.

"They do know that some people who use these parks need to fit a wheelchair between, but they don’t give it a second thought."

Facebook users described such parking as "inconsiderate" and "infuriating".

A similar issue was flung into the spotlight when an image of a young boy unable to access his car's ramp in the US went viral across the world, including Australia.

Shanna Mondy's photo of her son unable to get up the ramp into their van went viral in 2018. Source: Facebook/ Shanna Mondy
Shanna Mondy's photo of her son unable to get up the ramp into their van went viral in 2018. Source: Facebook/ Shanna Mondy

Another motorist had parked on the hatched area immediately to the side of their space which is designated for side access to vehicles.

The boy's mother Shanna Mondy told Popsugar she knew many people who were unaware of the purpose of the marked space.

"So I really just want to raise awareness to help all people who are wheelchair-bound and might not be able to get into their car or van".

Disability rights organisation calls for more awareness

People with Disability Australia CEO Sebastian Zagarella told Yahoo News Australia motorists must not simply think a disabled parking space is solely for closer access to a location.

“Respecting disabled parking bays by making sure people park between the lines in parking spots next to the disabled parking bays, helps ensures people with disability can get in and out of our vehicles," he said.

“Disabled parking bays are an important accessibility feature to ensure people with disability can access the community just like everyone else."

Wrongly parking in a disabled parking bay in South Australia is punishable with a $487 fine, while failing to park a vehicle wholly in a parking bay can trigger a $144 fine and can be enforced by councils or police.

Similar fines are in place across Australia.

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