Disabled driver ticketed for parking by yellow lines
I got a $100 ticket for parking on a double line near Hurley’s supermarket entrance door. I am handicapped and try to park as close as I can to where I am going, as the dedicated handicapped parking is a good distance away at Hurley’s. I am of the opinion that the ticket is invalid simply because the RCIPS has no jurisdiction over private roads and property, only over public roads. Can you kindly confirm if my opinion is correct and, if it is, how to get the ticket invalidated?
Auntie’s answer: I am afraid the law is not on your side. A previous column covered a similar question though I do not believe the person asking the question was disabled (see Parking by double yellow lines).
For clarity, I will go over the points of the Traffic Law that are relevant to your question and which confirm that the carpark at Hurley’s is not considered private.
The law defines a public place as “a place to which the public has access – (a) as of right, without payment; (b) upon payment; or (c) upon invitation, express or implied, and includes commercial property to which persons attending for commercial purposes are allowed access by the owner of those premises, upon payment of a fee or not”.
Additionally, under the law a road “means a public place where a vehicle may be driven or parked and such areas adjacent to that place as may be prescribed”.
With those two points in mind, parking by double yellow lines at Hurley’s would be an offence, no matter where along those lines you parked. The only exception is: “A person may park a goods vehicle along yellow lines for a period of up to fifteen minutes for the purpose of loading or unloading the vehicle, except in an area set aside for disabled parking or where there is a sign prohibiting the loading and unloading of a vehicle.”
Therefore, the police do indeed have jurisdiction and the ticket you were issued is valid.
The law mentioned in this column can be found on the CNS Library
Category: Ask Auntie, Parking Questions
I am sorry but this is funny in that the only person to get a parking ticket is handicapped, while all the other able bodied muppets can park where they like. Only in Cayman.
I just wish that when the the Papa John’s delivery drivers invariably park on the double yellow at Grand Harbour they wouldn’t ALSO block the handicapped ramp. If I can park across the traffic lane in an actual parking space then so can they. And it would be nice not to have the ramp blocked so it would be easier since I need to use a walker.
Should have been $500. Stay off the double yellows before someone gets killed!
so they can ticket those at country side fosters?
The law is different in the UK.
There, disabled drivers displaying the blue badge (which is much harder to obtain than in Cayman – an interview with tests is required) may park on double yellow lines anywhere in the country except in the London boroughs of Westminster, City, Camden, and Kensington and Chelsea.
Genuinely disabled Caymanian drivers should make a fuss about this.
Hurleys disabled spaces are at most 50 ft from the door and as always are the most prime spot. If you can’t make it that far how are you going to navigate the store? Just askin’.
Double yellow lines are generally there for safety and not for decoration. In the case of Hurley’s you have people coming out of the shop and (assuming they parked in the designated spots) have to cross a traffic lane while carrying bags or pushing large carts. Cars parked directly outside the shop along the double yellow lines obscure the view of those pedestrians. Its unfortunate that the blue spot couldn’t be closer but its important that everyone is safe.
Citizens always have the right to challenge government. However all should not that this is not the US or GB or EU. It is Cayman and all are required to abide by OUR laws, rules and regulations.
This isn’t the UK so your point is moot.