Disabled drivers in Hong Kong could do with greater sensitivity from police and traffic wardens
I have a walking disability. I use walking aids to move around and am unable to walk long distances, owing to my mobility issues.
Last month, I drove a rental car to Sai Kung. As car rental companies in Hong Kong do not provide disabled drivers with an official “disabled” sticker, I travel with one obtained from my country of origin. This “disabled” sticker was clearly displayed on the windscreen of my rental car.
I parked my car outside a shop for no more than 10 minutes, while I went inside to purchase a luggage item. When I exited the store on my two crutches, I found a traffic summons stuck on my windscreen and a traffic warden patrolling nearby. I called out to the warden and pointed to the sticker on my car. He retorted that I should park at the official disabled parking space, which was more than 150 metres away.
I asked him that if I had parked there, would he have been happy to carry me to the store and back again to my car, since I was unable to walk? He simply shrugged and walked off.
Subsequently, I happened upon a police constable and relayed the incident. The policeman shook his head and brusquely stomped off.