Disability driver Bob Holloway is appealing to Central Coast Council to show a little commonsense over parking infringements after being fined while helping an elderly woman attend a medical appointment.
“I’m a pensioner, retired on the Central Coast, and I thought a way to help the community is by being a volunteer for the Community Transport Central Coast as a driver,” Holloway said.
“I know firsthand how difficult it can be for people with debilitating illnesses as I was diagnosed with leukaemia nine years ago as was constantly visiting medical facilities during my own treatment.
“This is my way of giving back to the community.
“Recently I received a $283 fine for double parking while helping a partially blind, very senior local lady, who also had walking difficulties needing a walker, to get to her eye doctor.
“Needless to say I challenged the fine, but it was not reviewed positively in my favour by Revenue NSW.”
While Revenue NSW acknowledged Holloway was transporting a visually impaired passenger and there was no available nearby parking, they declined to cancel the fine.
“Double parking can create blind spots for motorists and pedestrians, as well as cause other drivers to travel on the opposite side of the road,” they advised Holloway.
“You must not stop a vehicle on a road next to another vehicle parked parallel to the kerb.
“Drivers must still follow the road rules in place at the time as parking is not guaranteed at any location.”
Holloway said the incident occurred at 10.36am on August 15 outside 127 Erina St, Gosford.
“I needed to get close to the entrance to safely drop off my passenger who is aged between late 80s and early 90s,” he said.
“There is limited parking and unfortunately on the day the closest parking was approximately 200 meters away from the entrance.
“Directly in front of the entrance is a ramp to help patients using wheelchairs or walkers to safely get to their appointments.
“I decided to double park in front rather than risking injury (to my patient).”
Holloway said there could have been many trip hazards for the frail, partially blind senior on a 200 metre walk to the specialist offices.
“I took every possible precaution to ensure our safety by using the car’s flash emergency signals, staying within five metres of the vehicle so the vehicle was not unattended, constantly looking for any signs of traffic (there was none) and returning to the vehicle within three minutes to continue driving,” he said.
“I know it’s incorrect to double park but in this case there was no hindrance or inconvenience to traffic or pedestrians and every precaution was taken.
“As I continue to volunteer as a driver for the Community Transport Central Coast I would not change this decision.
“If this was anyone’s mother, father, grandmother or grandfather who was partially blind and with walking disabilities, I would think their families would expect the best and most appropriate assistance necessary when transporting them.
“I think Council should show compassion and commonsense to locals and services that help people with special needs.”
A Council spokesperson said parking officers undertake an important role in ensuring roads are safe for all road users and pedestrians as well as ensuring equitable access to parking options (amongst other matters), with discretion applied where appropriate.
“While Council commends those members of our community who assist the elderly or those with a disability, double parking can obstruct the vision of road users and pedestrians to oncoming traffic and can create a significant safety risk,” the spokesperson said.
“While there are several exemptions provided for mobility parking permit holders to facilitate access to parking options such as extensions to timed restricted parking and temporary use of no parking zones, this does not apply to double parking.
“Council notes that the same considerations were made by Revenue NSW when Mr Holloway sought an internal review of the fine and the fine was upheld.
“Mr Holloway can elect to have the matter heard in the Local Court if he wishes to pursue the matter.
“Council is also open to further discussing the provision of parking options across the Central Coast.
“Council’s Traffic Team are available to discuss such concerns and can be contacted via email at ask@centralocoast.nsw.gov.au (attention Infrastructure Service Unit, Traffic Team).”
Terry Collins