‘Operation Enable’ is a multi-agency initiative between DMR Traffic, Dublin City Council, Dublin Street Parking Services, the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland and the Irish Wheelchair Association.
Operation Enable is a new initiative designed to target motorists who illegally park in disabled bays writes Geraldine Herbert
A new initiative known as Operation Enable has been launched from today by Gardaí in Dublin to remind motorists to respect disabled parking bays in Dublin City Centre. Vehicle owners are being warned that if they don’t, they face a serious fine, with an €80 fine for the first offence, rising to €120 if this is not paid in the first 28 day.
With the increased volume of traffic and the ongoing construction projects in Dublin City Centre at the moment, on-street parking is at a premium. An unfortunate consequence of this has been an upsurge in both motorists illegally parking in disabled parking bays and also instances of people misusing the parking permits themselves.
All the agencies involved in ‘Operation Enable’ are urging motorists not to block access to disabled bays. Tony Maher, National Transport Manager for the Irish Wheelchair Association states that “The availability of wheelchair accessible parking spaces is an essential lifeline for motorists with disabilities. Far too often these spaces are occupied by able bodied drivers.”
Richard Ryder, Marketing Manager for the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland adds that “The most common excuse given by motorists illegally parking in disabled bays is ‘I’ll only be a minute’ or ‘I’ll move if somebody comes along” adding “That’s never the case however and illegal parking like this causes genuine misery.”
Sergeant Peter Woods, DMR (Traffic) Division in Dublin Castle advises that this public appeal to motorists to respect the disabled parking bays in the city-centre will be followed up by targeted enforcement and adds that those who break the rules can expect to be prosecuted. “We will be working closely with Dublin City Council and Dublin Street Parking Services and actively checking permits and enforcing the regulations in respect of the Disabled Parking Bays in the city-centre area.”
Anyone caught using a fake badge can face a fine of up to €2,000 or three months in prison.
The campaign is supported by the Gardai, Dublin City Council, Dublin Street Parking Services, the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) and the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI).
Geraldine Herbert
1st March, 2017
