Increased fines for bad parking

Increased fines have been introduced for motorists parking on footpaths, cycle lanes and bus lanes.

The fines were introduced by Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan, who signed regulations doubling the fixed charge penalty for motorists caught parking on footpaths, cycle tracks and bus lanes.

New penalties will come into effect on February 1 and will see an increased fine from €40 to €80.

“I’m very pleased to announce these increased penalties which will both promote active travel and encourage a more considerate use of road space. Parking on footpaths puts vulnerable pedestrians, such as wheelchair users and those pushing buggies, at significant risk by forcing them off the footpath and into traffic. Parking in bus and cycle lanes endangers cyclists and undermines State investment in sustainable public transport infrastructure.

“These increases should help improve the safety of all vulnerable road and footpath users, by creating a more effective deterrent to these specific forms of illegal parking,” Minister Ryan said.

NOT ACCEPTABLE

Green Party councillor for Cork City North East, Oliver Moran, welcomed the changes.

“Since being elected, and even before then, myself and my colleagues have been campaigning to have the penalty for motorists blocking other road users like this to be increased.

“This isn’t simply a matter of over-staying in a legal parking bay, it selfishly takes road spaces from other road users, often the most vulnerable,” Cllr Moran said.

Cllr Moran noted that he has witnessed children having to step out into traffic to get around cars that were parked on footpaths, busses filled with people being held up by a person leaving their car in a bus lane, and cyclists having to merge in quickly with fast-moving traffic in order to avoid a van parked on a cycle lane.

“In 2018, the fine for parking in a disabled bay increased from €80 to €150. It’s good to see blockers being called out now as being different to people who simply overstay in a legal parking bay. It’s been normalised for too long. It needs to be made clear that it isn’t acceptable and enforcement from the city must now follow,” the city-based councillor concluded.