Outrage over a Woolworths shopper’s park spurs debate—is this illegal?
- Replies 11
Drivers hold some of the biggest societal responsibilities in keeping our community safe. However, occasionally a reminder of the rules and laws is required.
Motorists nationwide have expressed their disdain after a Woolworths shopper parked their mobility scooter in a space designated for disabled drivers, sparking a fierce debate on social media.
A fellow shopper uploaded a photo of the scooter parked outside the Bendigo supermarket and shared it in a post to a Facebook group dedicated to calling out drivers who ignore the rules of disabled parking bays.
The driver who shared the photo recalled that they were trying to pull into the vacant disabled parking space, but found that the scooter was already there.
They also thought that this act was ‘surely not legal’, and clarified that the mobility scooter wasn’t displaying a disabled parking permit when they saw it.
The photo ignited a debate online about the regulations of parking mobility scooters in disabled parking spaces. However, many agreed that it is not legal to do so.
‘It isn’t legal. They are not registered vehicles and can be left outside the front of the store or taken inside the store if they want,’ one group member commented.
The outraged Facebook user also claimed that not everyone who uses a mobility scooters has a disability,alleging that some opt to use them out of convenience.
According to VicRoad guidelines, however, the devices are strictly for disabled users. The guidelines state: ‘Motorised scooters and powered wheelchairs are therapeutic devices. They should only be used by people who are unable to walk or have difficulty walking.’
The comprehensive manual regarding the use of mobility scooters goes on to state the rules for parking the devices.
‘You cannot use vehicle car parks to park your motorised mobility device, even if the parks are designated as parking spaces for people with disabilities.’
A spokesperson from the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning confirmed to reporters that mobility scooters should not be parked in car parks.
‘Under Road Rule 203, all drivers must display an accessible parking permit to lawfully park in a disabled parking space,’ they explained.
They further added that riders of mobility scooters that travel below 10 kilometres per hour (km/hr), are still defined as a pedestrian and must travel and park on the footpath.
This comes after a woman who uses a wheelchair regularly was forced to park in a basement of her building and climb up two steep ramps – a path that had left her in tears several times, all because someone had illegally parked in the disability parking spot she always used. You can read more details about her story, including the powerful note she left for the driver, here.
In NSW, mobility scooters are categorised as ‘motorised wheelchairs specially built to transport people who are unable to walk, or have difficulty walking’. According to the NSW road rules, motorised wheelchairs do not require registration in NSW or a licence.
Additionally, the motorised wheelchair user is still considered to be a pedestrian and is expected to comply with the NSW Road Rules that apply to their circumstance.
In Queensland, a mobility scooter must be registered as a motorised wheelchair, and it may be registered to an individual or an organisation. These may include nursing homes, shopping centres, and educational institutions. According to the QLD road rules, a mobility scooter must be registered if the device is used on a footpath or road area in Queensland.
Additionally, they must use the footpath or nature strip at all times or, if the footpath or nature strip is unsuitable, travel as close as possible to the left or right side of the road. Users should also face oncoming traffic if possible to do so. They should also comply with road rules as they apply to pedestrians. As such, parking in a car park would not be permitted.
Although each state and territory has its own regulations, some basic rules apply across Australia. These are:
How do you feel about this, members? Were you aware of this road rule?
Additionally, have you ever witnessed someone illegally park in a disabled parking space? How did you respond? Share your story in the comments below!
Motorists nationwide have expressed their disdain after a Woolworths shopper parked their mobility scooter in a space designated for disabled drivers, sparking a fierce debate on social media.
A fellow shopper uploaded a photo of the scooter parked outside the Bendigo supermarket and shared it in a post to a Facebook group dedicated to calling out drivers who ignore the rules of disabled parking bays.
This photo of a mobility scooter parked in a disabled space sparked a debate online. Credit: Facebook
The driver who shared the photo recalled that they were trying to pull into the vacant disabled parking space, but found that the scooter was already there.
They also thought that this act was ‘surely not legal’, and clarified that the mobility scooter wasn’t displaying a disabled parking permit when they saw it.
The photo ignited a debate online about the regulations of parking mobility scooters in disabled parking spaces. However, many agreed that it is not legal to do so.
‘It isn’t legal. They are not registered vehicles and can be left outside the front of the store or taken inside the store if they want,’ one group member commented.
The outraged Facebook user also claimed that not everyone who uses a mobility scooters has a disability,alleging that some opt to use them out of convenience.
According to some Facebook users, some people who drive mobility scooters use them out of convenience. Credit: neelam279/Pixabay
According to VicRoad guidelines, however, the devices are strictly for disabled users. The guidelines state: ‘Motorised scooters and powered wheelchairs are therapeutic devices. They should only be used by people who are unable to walk or have difficulty walking.’
The comprehensive manual regarding the use of mobility scooters goes on to state the rules for parking the devices.
‘You cannot use vehicle car parks to park your motorised mobility device, even if the parks are designated as parking spaces for people with disabilities.’
A spokesperson from the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning confirmed to reporters that mobility scooters should not be parked in car parks.
‘Under Road Rule 203, all drivers must display an accessible parking permit to lawfully park in a disabled parking space,’ they explained.
They further added that riders of mobility scooters that travel below 10 kilometres per hour (km/hr), are still defined as a pedestrian and must travel and park on the footpath.
This comes after a woman who uses a wheelchair regularly was forced to park in a basement of her building and climb up two steep ramps – a path that had left her in tears several times, all because someone had illegally parked in the disability parking spot she always used. You can read more details about her story, including the powerful note she left for the driver, here.
In NSW, mobility scooters are categorised as ‘motorised wheelchairs specially built to transport people who are unable to walk, or have difficulty walking’. According to the NSW road rules, motorised wheelchairs do not require registration in NSW or a licence.
Additionally, the motorised wheelchair user is still considered to be a pedestrian and is expected to comply with the NSW Road Rules that apply to their circumstance.
In Queensland, a mobility scooter must be registered as a motorised wheelchair, and it may be registered to an individual or an organisation. These may include nursing homes, shopping centres, and educational institutions. According to the QLD road rules, a mobility scooter must be registered if the device is used on a footpath or road area in Queensland.
Additionally, they must use the footpath or nature strip at all times or, if the footpath or nature strip is unsuitable, travel as close as possible to the left or right side of the road. Users should also face oncoming traffic if possible to do so. They should also comply with road rules as they apply to pedestrians. As such, parking in a car park would not be permitted.
Although each state and territory has its own regulations, some basic rules apply across Australia. These are:
1. Only people who have a disability or experience difficulty walking should use mobility devices.
2. Wheelchairs and scooters should be speed limited to 10 km/hour on level ground.
3. People using mobility devices are classified as pedestrians and must follow the same road rules as other pedestrians.
4. Mobility equipment must not be driven on the road if there is a footpath or nature strip available.
5. It is illegal to ride a scooter or wheelchair when under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
6. Wheelchairs and scooters do not require registration unless you live in Queensland.
Additionally, have you ever witnessed someone illegally park in a disabled parking space? How did you respond? Share your story in the comments below!
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