Advanced Education and Skills
February 14, 2012
Violators to Face Tougher Penalties for Illegal Blue Zone Parking
Through changes to the Buildings Accessibility Regulations and the Designated Impaired Mobility Regulations, Service NL is increasing the fines for illegally parking in blue zone parking spaces. In addition, these changes will strengthen the requirement that signs identifying spaces designated for persons with physical disabilities be clearly identified, permanent and kept in good repair.
“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador takes these types of violations very seriously,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister of Service NL. “As a result of our review of the regulations, we have more than doubled fines in an effort to create a greater deterrent against illegal parking by those who are not entitled to park in these spaces. With these new fines in place, law enforcement officials will have a much stronger tool to use when targeting these offenders.”
In addition to the fines for parking in designated spaces without the proper permit increasing from the current range of $45 to $180 to the new range of $100 to $400, the new regulations also state that signs identifying blue zone parking spaces are to be permanent and visible at all times.
“As a government we are committed to ensuring that people with disabilities are included in all aspects of society, and this includes ensuring that they have adequate access to designated parking,” said the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities. “These new regulations will help remove barriers for members of the community who have experienced difficulties with parking, especially during the winter months when signage may not properly identify these parking spaces.”
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to ensuring access and inclusion throughout the province. This can be achieved through improved regulations, policies and programs so that persons with disabilities have the same opportunities as other citizens.
“While we recognize that more work needs to be done, we are pleased to be able to respond to these specific concerns raised by people with mobility disabilities in order to improve accessibility to parking within our communities,” said Minister Davis.
The new fines come into effect on April 1, 2012. The regulations on signage will come into effect for new and proposed buildings on February 15, 2012. Existing properties which are subject to the Buildings Accessibility and Regulations will be required to comply by September 30, 2012.
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Media contacts:
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Hugh Donnan Director of Communications Service NL 709-729-4860, 725-6511 hughdonnan@gov.nl.ca |
John Tompkins Director of Communications Department of Advanced Education and Skills 709-729-0753, 728-7762 jtompkins@gov.nl.ca |
2012 02 14 2:30 p.m.