Outrage as number of people parking disabled spaces escalates – with 50 NSW motorists fined every day
- People with disabilities are worried they could be hurt if they can't park their car
- 17,115 motorists were fined in NSW for parking in disability parking spots
- The worst area is Sydney's CBD where 1550 drivers fined in the past 12 months
An increasing number of drivers are stealing disabled parking spots.
In the past year a record 17,115 motorists were fined for the offence in New South Wales - with penalties totalling $9.6million.
Nearly 50 motorists are caught each day, causing outrage among the disabled community.
Nearly 50 motorists are fined each day for parking in spots reserved for people with disabilities. The worst location is Sydney's CBD where more than 1550 drivers were fined for parking in disability spots over the past 12 months (stock image)
Vickie Hudson, 53, a paraplegic from North Sydney said the lack of parking spots could be dangerous if drivers aren't paying attention.
'I'm worried a car will crash into me, they cannot see me over their bonnets when I'm in my chair - I'm terrified I'll be killed,' she said to The Daily Telegraph.
The worst location is Sydney's CBD where more than 1,550 drivers were fined for parking in disability spots over the past 12 months.
'I'm worried a car will crash into me, they cannot see me over their bonnets when I'm in my chair — I'm terrified I'll be killed': Vickie Hudson, 53, a paraplegic from North Sydney believes the lack of parking spots put her at risk (stock image)
Campaigners say there are not enough disabled spots in Sydney - the CBD has only 47 disability parking spots.
That number may be even fewer due to the impact of light rail roadwork constructions and the changes to on-street parking associated with it.
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Physical Disability Council NSW chief executive Serena Owens said able-bodied drivers who take disability parking spots are stopping those with disabilities from performing daily tasks.
'As always accessible parking continues to be an issue for people with disability, and as our population continues to age, and more and more people are being provided with accessible parking permits, this will only become of greater concern,' she said.
'Additionally, the provision of permits to those whom may not need them, and misuse of both the accessible parking spaces and permits by some adds to the lack of availability too.'
The Sydney CBD (pictured), one of the busiest locations in the area, has only 47 disability parking spots. That number may be even fewer due to the impact of light rail roadwork constructions and the changes to on-street parking associated with it
