Disabled park plan foiled

By Shaun Inguanzo
A NOBLE Park quadriplegic man’s plan to combat able-bodied motorists parking in disabled spaces has been quashed by a law that could send him to jail.
Star reported last week that Michael Wright, 28, had created special cards to leave on windscreens of motorists who wrongly park in disabled spaces as a non-confrontational way of telling them they had disadvantaged a disabled shopper. But the City of Greater Dandenong this week released excerpts from the Road Safety Act 1986 and Environment Protection Act 1970 stating that tampering with a person’s car or leaving material on windscreens was illegal.
Mr Wright said he was shocked and disappointed to learn he could be imprisoned for up to 14 days and receive hefty financial penalties if he placed cards on peoples’ windscreens urging them to think twice before taking a disabled space next time.
“It is one of those things where obviously I don’t want to break the law so I don’t want to endorse giving out the cards now,” he said.
“But really I just wanted to stop people breaking the law in the first place.”
Mr Wright said it was ironic that councils could place parking fines on windscreens legally, but his attempt to stop the law being broken could see him punished.
“The amusing thing that came to mind is what if someone has an accident and dents a car?” he said. “Are you allowed to leave a note on their windscreen saying contact me on this number? Under the laws, you would be breaking the law in doing that.”
Mr Wright said he had no further ideas to combat the problem, which leaves disabled shoppers without a parking spot at major shopping centres.
“I have been told by different shopping centres that there is really nothing they can do about it,” he said.
Keysborough Ward councillor Roz Blades, who had been supporting Mr Wright’s campaign, said the council would ensure his efforts were not in vain. “The city has every admiration for Michael and will work towards trying to assist disabled people,” she said.
Mr Wright has recalled the 500 cards he sent to disability advocacy groups prior to publicity of his campaign.