$129 fine for parking at slots reserved for disabled in Oman

From Match 1, the fine for parking in slots for the disabled has been increased from RO10 to RO50. “The rights of the disabled should be respected. We took into account their rights and decided to increase the fine,” an ROP official said.

The ROP has repeatedly appealed to the general public against using such parking slots. “Their rights need to be respected considering their inconvenience when they have to park away from the entrances of any building.”

Tariq al Khabouri, founder of ODDA said that the increase in the fine will go a long way in cracking down on offenders and reducing such cases.

Khabouri said that he had suggested the authorities that offenders should get jail terms. “I am now happy and thank ROP for increasing the fine which will at least ensure that offenders think twice before parking in such slots.

“Putting offenders behind bars for 24 hours and confiscating their driving licence for a week would be an ideal punishment. I also want people to come forward and fight for the rights of the disabled. There is a need to change the mindset of people because ROP cannot do everything alone. The ROP and the public need to work together to tackle this problem.”

Khabouri, who has been fighting for the rights of the disabled for more than 30 years, said there is a need for more such parking slots. “Two or three parking slots for the disabled at any place are not enough. There is a need for more.”

In other developments, the ROP has exempted the disabled from certain road safety regulations. According to Article 19 of the Road Safety Regulations, people with disabilities are exempted from car registration, driving test, renewal and transfer of car licence fees, once a year.

The conditions under which the disabled are exempted include the monthly salary which should not be above RO350 as per a document issued by the competent authority.

Khabouri said, “We welcome this exemption because most of the disabled cannot afford such expenses. I thank ROP for the same.”