Changes to Disabled Parking Scheme including larger accessible on-street car parking bays
Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar has introduced new regulations for the Disabled Parking Scheme (11th April 2011) which came into operation on the 1st June 2011. The changes follow a comprehensive review of the existing scheme carried out by the Department in 2010 (which included consultation with local government, disability organisations and various consultants). Some of the key changes to the new regulations include:
- Changing the medical eligibility criteria for the Disabled Person’s Parking permit.
- New measures to reduce the fraudulent use of permits.
- Some disabled parking spaces will be made wider to make sure they are suitable for wheelchair users and people with disabilities.
- Local authorities will get new powers to put time restrictions on disable parking spaces.
- There will also be designated set-down and pick-up spaces for drivers carrying disabled passengers.
Further details on Irelands Disabled Parking Scheme which operates under the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997, as amended in 2011.
In line with the recommendations of the 2010 Review of the Scheme and the introduction of the amended regulations, amendments have already been made to the dimensions of disabled parking bays to provide for wider parking bays. The new dimensions are set out in Chapter 7, of the Traffic Signs Manual 2010.
