Doesn’t the traffic code apply to the Parliament parking lot?

Drivers hog spaces designated for vehicles belonging to the disabled

G. BOURDARAS

Seeing expensive automobiles taking up parking spaces clearly designated for use by disabled drivers is infuriating. The same applies to ordinary cars and their owners who clearly do not have disabilities. The occurrence is common enough on Greek roads, but when it takes place in the car park underneath Parliament, it raises serious questions, especially when work is in progress to make parliamentary sessions accessible to people of limited mobility. It seems that somebody in the Parliament building has no respect for the law, or it could be that whoever constructed the garage did not allow sufficient spaces for cars with able-bodied drivers, or then again perhaps the cars belong to disabled drivers who have neglected to place the special signs on their windshields.

Even if inspections are conducted and fines imposed, the sums involved are no real deterrent. Article 34 of the traffic code stipulates a 150-euro fine for parking illegally in a space reserved for a disabled driver’s car. This represents one 20th of a deputy’s monthly income from meetings in Parliament.

The phenomenon reveals a lack of respect for the law by people who, by reason of their position, have access to the car park. The sight of deputies, even ministers, leaving the car park without wearing their seat belts is just one more aspect of this attitude.