The Disability Information and Resource Centre

The Disability Services Office, in conjunction with the Adelaide City Council, would like to present to you a “Definitive Guide to Parking for People with a Disabled Person’s Parking Permit across the Adelaide CBD”

If you have a Disabled Person’s Parking Permit, whether it is temporary or permanent, you have a number of options available to you:

• A Disabled Person’s Parking Permit is valid for any vehicle provided it is being used for the transportation of the disabled person who is a holder of a permit.
• Having a Disabled Person’s Parking Permit displayed in the window allows the vehicle to be parked in disabled persons’ parking spaces which are sign posted and have the disabled symbol painted on the road surface or signs covering the area. If parking in a designated disabled parking zone the posted time limit applies (ie, no extra time).
• If you have a Disabled Person’s Parking Permit, you also have the option of parking in a non-disabled persons’ parking space. As long as you display the permit in the window, the vehicle may then be parked in any metered, ticketed space or time limit space of 15 minutes or more, for 90 minutes more than the time allowed for that space or for double the time that is allowed for that space (whichever of the two is greater in time).
• In conjunction with this, if you have parked on any ticketed kerbside non-disability parking space, you do not have to pay the fee for this park. You must pay for parking in off street car parks.
• You may not park in loading zones or non permissive zones.

Remember, in order to utilise these options your permit must be displayed inside the vehicle as near as possible to the registration label. Sounds confusing? Let’s go through some case studies to help clarify the situation…

Case Study 1

Dale wants to go shopping in town on Saturday. He finds a 2P parking space in Hindmarsh Square which will cost him $3.20 for 2 hours; however the space is not a designated disabled parking bay. Dale decides that the parking bay is close enough to his destination and that he will be able to gain access to and from his vehicle. As long as Dale displays his Disabled Person’s Parking Permit, he will not have to pay the $3.20 fee for the parking space and he can park in this space for a total of 4 hours instead of the normal 2 hours.

Case Study 2

Joy is having dinner in town with her family on Friday night. Joy has a Disabled Person’s Parking Permit, however she does not like to drive at night time so she is taken in to town by her family. As long as Joy is being transported by her family, she can display her Disabled Person’s Parking Permit in her family’s vehicle and they can utilise the same concessions that Joy gets with her own car.

In addition, people who hold a Disabled Parking Permit will be able to park for two hours free of charge in Adelaide City Council’s U-park carparks. Your Driver’s Licence and current Disabled Permit need to be shown to a Parking Attendant when paying for parking.

We hope that this is of some assistance to you in your travels around the Adelaide CBD and that the parking situation has been clarified for people with a disability. Please visit the Adelaide City Council website or call 8203 7457  for any further information about disability parking in the Adelaide CBD.

Parking permits are administered by Transport SA
Telephone: 13 10 84

Self propelled or motorised wheelchairs (sometimes referred to as mobility scooters) are increasingly used in the community.

Self propelled wheelchairs provide a great benefit to individuals with physical disabilities or health conditions that inhibit their ability to walk, by assisting them to maintain an independent lifestyle through improved mobility.

Under the Road Rules, a self propelled wheelchair is classified as a pedestrian (and is not subject to registration and licensing requirements) provided it cannot travel at a speed greater than 10 km/h (on level ground), has an unladen weight not exceeding 110 kg, and because of the drivers physical condition the driver has a reasonable need to use a wheelchair.

In this case, the following conditions apply to the use of self propelled wheelchairs on public thoroughfares in South Australia.

* The wheelchair operator must observe all the same road rules as apply to pedestrians.

* The wheelchair must not travel on the road except where a footpath is not available or is being repaired, or the footpath is unsafe due to damage.

* Third Party Bodily Injury Insurance is automatically provided to the wheelchair operator by the Motor Accident Commission, free of charge. However, if the operator is seen to be more than 25% responsible in an accident they will be required to pay an excess of $300.

* It is recommended that the wheelchair operator contact an insurance company to arrange personal insurance cover for fire, theft, and any damage that they may cause to property.

To increase safety and assist other road users, it is recommended that the following precautions also be adopted by wheelchair operators.

* Be alert when crossing the road, use an open area to make you more visible to motorists, and look to see that there is a safe exit on the other side.

* If the wheelchair operator is forced to use the road, the wheelchair should keep as close to the left hand side of the road as possible.

* Watch out for cars turning into or reversing out of driveways.

* Do not assume that other road users have seen you and will give way.

* Increase your visibility by displaying a small yellow or orange flag on your wheelchair, and wearing light coloured clothing.

* If the wheelchair is used at night, the device should display a white light at the front and a red light at the rear. It is recommended that reflectors are also fitted to the rear of the wheelchair.

* Always travel up and down ramps and inclines as straight as possible to avoid tipping the wheelchair over.

* When travelling in congested areas, use the slowest speed possible to ensure you do not have an accident with someone or something.

* Do not assume that other pedestrians have heard your approach and are aware of your presence on the footpath.

Source:  Transport SA