BLUE Bay calling cards will be topped up in Augusta-Margaret River so businesses can politely discourage drivers who illegally park in 'disabled' car bays.
First distributed by the Augusta-Margaret River Shire in 2012, the cards can be placed on car windscreens to give a friendly warning to drivers who do not display a valid Australian Council for Rehabilitation of the Disabled (ACROD) sticker when parking in the designated ACROD bays.
The bays are generally larger in size than standard car parking bays to allow greater room to get in and out of vehicles with equipment or aids and are identified by blue and yellow ground markings and signage featuring a wheelchair icon.
Augusta Margaret River Shire development trainee Emma Godridge said only vehicles displaying a valid ACROD card as issued by the National Disability Services WA are permitted to park in ACROD bays.
“Anyone else using these bays is doing so illegally and could well be preventing a person with disability from accessing essential services and social engagement opportunities,” she said.
“The Blue Bay calling cards give people a courteous and polite means of reminding people about the impact of their actions to others and requesting greater consideration in the future.
“They also warn the driver they are at risk of a possible fine from Shire Rangers.”
Ms Godridge said the Shire has had a great buy-in from the community in the project to date and she hoped more businesses would join in this coming year.
For information on how to access these cards, contact Emma Godridge on 08 9780 5255 or email amrshire@amrshire.wa.gov.au
