Traffic Department warns able-bodied motorists not to break the law by utilizing the disabled-parking spots in St. John’s

The Traffic Department is issuing a warning to able-bodied motorists not to flout the law by utilizing the parking zones that have been designated around the city for persons living with disabilities.

Last week, the Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board formally announced that its pledge to create special parking spaces across the city for persons with disabilities has been fulfilled, and that it has already marked out the areas selected.

All this was made possible through the passing of legislation –the Vehicles and Road Traffic Disabled and Reserved Parking Regulation, No. 11, 2023 – which has been signed off by the relevant minister and published in the official Gazette.

Superintendent of Police Elson Quammie, who heads the Traffic Department, says that able-bodied persons who insist on parking in the designated areas can be fined or imprisoned. 

A maximum fine of $500 or a prison term of six months are the penalties for those who disobey the law.

While several streets in the city – including Redcliffe, St. Mary’s, High, Newgate, Long and Nevis Streets – have been marked for disabled parking, affected persons must have a doctor’s letter to prove they are, in fact, physically challenged and also permission from the Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board.

The traffic head says the Transport Board will issue a special blue sticker with an emblem, so that officers can determine right away that the vehicle officially belongs to a disabled person.

Quammie says there is also a provision in the law relevant to reserved parking for the disabled; this will require permission from the Traffic Commissioner and an annual fee of just over $1,000.

The senior officer is admonishing disabled persons to go to the Transport Board and get the proper certification to park in these areas.

The named city streets are now boldly marked with the word “Disabled” to indicate their purpose.