12/12/2007 The Asahi Shimbun
In July 2006, Saga Prefecture started issuing parking permits for people
with
disabilities.
The idea is to reserve parking spaces for people whose mobility is limited.
The space is marked with the International Symbol of Access, a stylized
image of a
person using a wheelchair.
Other local governments have followed suit with similar moves and I
hope the
system will spread across the nation. In order to prevent inappropriate use,
I urge
concerned authorities to establish a uniform nationwide system.
Currently, more than 3.5 million people hold certificates that recognize
physically
disabilities of some kind. According to the National Policy Agency's statistics
on
driver's licenses, as of 2006, some 208,000 people with disabilities had
a driver's
license for cars remodeled for people with disabilities. The number was
up 14,000
from 2000. The total number of parking spaces for the disabled is not
known, but
there is no doubt it is on the rise.
This is partly because a new barrier-free law for promoting easier
access to public
transportation infrastructure for the aged and the disabled went into force
in
December 2006. It calls on operators of parking lots to make them accessible
to
disabled drivers and passengers.
Actually, however, the spaces are often occupied by thoughtless drivers
or delivery
personnel. As a result, people who really need them can be left stranded.
Some people with disabilities have internal disorders that are not readily
apparent.
Therefore, it is not always easy to determine from appearance alone whether
someone using such reserved parking space is really eligible.
One of the problems is that there is no standard as to who is eligible.
Parking lot
operators are also racking their brains on how to prevent inappropriate use.
Saga Prefecture's parking permits are based on a clear standard. Thus,
if anyone
without a permit uses a parking space designated for people with disabilities,
that
person is violating its rules.
There are two kinds of permits. A green permit is issued to people with
walking
disabilities and is good for five years.
A red permit may be issued to people who are temporarily disabled because
of
injuries. Pregnant women also fall into this category. It is valid for up
to one year.
Holders are required to hang them on the rearview mirror inside their cars.
The
prefectural government also provides special cards that can be placed under
the
windshield wiper blades asking drivers without permits to move their cars.
Already, more than 4,000 people have been issued permits and the number
of
facilities that joined the prefectural system has topped 500.
Actually, some commercial facilities were already issuing permits before
the
prefectural government took action. However, since the permits issued by
the
prefecture carry the governor's name, they are more effective. As a result,
violations
at such facilities have also declined.
"The prefectural permit stands out and the cards asking violators to
move their cars
are also very effective," a store operator said.
The Saga system has attracted the attention of other local governments.
Since June,
Yamagata, Nagasaki and Fukui prefectures have introduced similar systems
and
Kumamoto Prefecture plans to introduce one by the end of fiscal 2007.
But the permit system also has a drawback. Since it is not legally binding
and carries
no punishment, it cannot stop blatant violations.
I have been looking into the situation of parking spaces for people
with disabilities in
Europe since 2001. Europe, centering on members of the European Union, has
a
unified system of parking permits issued by a public organization, which
has the
power to impose penalties on violators.
Depending on the countries, the fines vary from the equivalent of several
thousand
yen to tens of thousands of yen. In Asia, South Korea has a system to fine
violators
as do many American states.
Essentially, Japan should also follow the examples of those countries
and establish a
nationwide system. Depending on the seriousness of violations, penalties
should also
be imposed.
Unfortunately, however, the central government has shown a lackadaisical
approach
to this idea. Under such circumstances, I think the attempt by Saga Prefecture
is
commendable.
I hope that similar systems will spread across the nation and eventually
develop into a
unified nationwide system.
* * * The author is a city planner.(IHT/Asahi: December 12,2007)