SECTION TWO WHY DO PEOPLE MISUSE PARKING FACILITIES?
A number of factors have been shown to influence the misuse of reserved parking facilities intended for people with disabilities. These vary according to the type of facility and characteristics of the driver. They include factors such as car park design, the type of enforcement in place, journey purpose and driver or passenger mobility.
CAR PARK DESIGN
The way in which a car park is designed may influence the likelihood of people misusing parking bays for people with disabilities:
- Demand for parking exceeds capacity People might be inclined to use a bay reserved for a disabled person if the car park is busy or if other reserved bays ( e.g. Parent and Child) are not available.
- Bay width People might be inclined to seek out a wide bay - such as one reserved for a disabled person - to reduce the risk of their car getting scratched or bumped. This is often the case when bay widths are regarded as too narrow for modern cars. Parents with children often seek out wider bays so that they have enough space to get their children in and out of their car safely.
- Clear signage It is possible for people to park in a bay without knowing that it is reserved for a disabled person because of unclear signage and surface markings. Bays should be clearly signed (as shown in Traffic Advisory Leaflet 5/95 5) and have appropriate markings on the surface of the bay.
- Cost of parking Free parking for people with disabilities may encourage some people without disabilities to feel that misuse of such facilities is justified.
- Personal security Parking facilities in areas where there are 'dead ends' and unlit areas ( e.g. in multi-storey or 24-hour car parks) can be intimidating, particularly at night time. Car park providers should seek ways to reduce the risk of people parking in reserved bays because they are the only bays in illuminated areas or close to entrances. All parking provision should offer good lighting, safety and security.
- Positioning of facilities The location of reserved bays may encourage misuse, so it is worth considering whether reserved bays should be specifically located near to facilities ( e.g. cash machines).
Implementing changes in the design and lay-out of a car park may help to reduce the misuse of reserved parking spaces. Good car park design includes clear signage, adequate lighting, a single entry point, clear separation of reserved parking areas ( e.g. Blue Badge and Parent and Child), and adequate sized bays for non-reserved parking areas.
The main advantages are that these are low-cost measures, particularly if designed-in from the start or implemented when the car park is refurbished. The main disadvantage is that such measures would be unlikely to deter persistent abusers.
OTHER FACTORS
In addition to design factors, there are other reasons why a person might misuse parking spaces:
- Environmental conditions Poor weather often motivates people to misuse reserved bays as they want to park as close to an entrance as possible. Car park providers may wish to consider the benefits of providing non reserved bays in sheltered areas.
- Mobility Many people with reduced mobility (or those carrying passengers with a reduced mobility/temporary disability) feel justified in using reserved bays for people with disabilities despite not being eligible to do so. It may be worth considering signage that reminds people of requirements for eligibility and perhaps directing drivers to areas of parking that may be just as suitable ( e.g. in an area where there are no steps).
- Psychology Many people consciously decide to misuse a reserved bay when they are not entitled to use one. Their decision is often based on two factors:
1. The impacts on a disabled person - people who misuse parking spaces tend not to see their behaviour as having an impact on a disabled person.
2. The risk of getting caught - often people who misuse think that they will not get caught and will therefore continue with that behaviour.
Past behaviour is often a good indicator of future behaviour. It follows that if a car park provider operates a clear, reliable and consistent approach to the enforcement of reserved bays for people with disabilities then, over time, people will become aware of the consequences should they continue to misuse them.
