Higher parking fines do not go far enough

I refer to the report, “Higher fines for parking offences from July: HDB, URA” (June 24).

Often, motorists abuse the loading and unloading bays in Housing and Development Board (HDB) estates. For example, at my block in Bukit Panjang town, there are two such bays and two parking spaces for persons with disabilities.

I often see drivers parking in the loading and unloading bays, and in the spots meant for persons with disabilities. They leave their cars there for 30 minutes to several hours.

On weekends, motorists park their cars there overnight as they mistakenly believe that no enforcement happens at those hours.

From time to time, parents like me have to take our young children up to our flats before returning to our vehicles.

Unable to stop at the loading and unloading bays even for a few minutes, we are forced to hog the sheltered drop-off points or obstruct the refuse centre in front of the lift lobby.

The higher fines that will soon be imposed on drivers who park their cars illegally — S$70, up from S$50 — are hardly severe enough to make motorists think twice about inconveniencing others.

How is S$70, which is but a fraction of the cost of owning a car, effective as a deterrent?

Perhaps the authorities could look into raising the fines, such that drivers are hit in the pocket.  

For a start, double the fines that will kick in — S$140 will be a more effective penalty for illegally parked cars.

Alternatively, the authorities could require drivers to turn on their vehicles’ hazard lights when using the loading and unloading bays. Motorists will not want to drain their car batteries by parking in these bays for one to five hours with their hazard lights blinking.

Motorists who consider the interests of other road users need not take offence at these suggestions, since they are unlikely to break the rules.