A disability rights advocate is calling for stronger enforcement against shameless motorists who illegally park in spaces reserved for people with disabilities, as concerns continue to grow over the widespread misuse of accessible parking across Bahrain.
Speaking to the GDN, Bahrain Association for Parents and Friends of the Disabled vice president Dr Abdul Rahman Al Hashemi said he remains frustrated that, even in 2026, many drivers continue to occupy designated disabled parking spaces without valid permits.
In response, Dr Al Hashemi has proposed a new initiative that would see people with disabilities trained through the General Directorate of Traffic to help monitor violations and issue fines to motorists illegally using these spaces.
Currently, accessible parking spaces in Bahrain are reserved for motorists displaying official permits issued by the Social Development Ministry following the submission of medical documentation and an application. “People keep calling for higher fines, but strict penalties are already in place,” Dr Al Hashemi said. “The real issue is that these fines are not consistently enforced.”
Previously, the General Directorate of Traffic’s Major Mubarak Boukis told the Interior Ministry’s Al Amn magazine that people misusing parking spaces could face fines of up to BD100, the withdrawal of their driving licences and the impounding of their vehicles.
Dr Al Hashemi stressed that stronger efforts are needed to ensure existing regulations are properly implemented, suggesting that involving members of the disabled community could form part of a practical long-term solution.
Under his proposal, people with disabilities would undergo specialised training programmes through the relevant authorities before being assigned to monitor accessible parking spaces across Bahrain.
“They could oversee hospitals, shopping malls and public facilities to ensure these spaces are being used by the people who genuinely need them,” he said.
Dr Al Hashemi added that the initiative would not only help reduce violations but also encourage greater social inclusion and participation for people with disabilities.
“By doing this, it will help stop people from parking in these spaces,” he said.
He noted that the issue has persisted for years and called for a collaborative strategy to strengthen enforcement, stressing that accessible parking spaces are essential for people with disabilities to safely and comfortably access public spaces.
“It discourages people with disabilities from visiting malls, shopping centres and other public facilities, which is simply unfair,” Dr Al Hashemi added.
Accessible parking spaces are designed to provide equal access to public life, promote independence and ensure sufficient space for individuals with mobility challenges or medical conditions to safely enter and exit their vehicles.
In many cases, disabilities can also cause chronic pain or severe fatigue while walking, making proximity to building entrances essential rather than convenient.
“If a disabled person cannot physically access a facility starting from the car park, they are effectively excluded from participating in that part of society,” Dr Al Hashemi said.
Another advocate also raised concerns over the issue in 2024, calling not only for tougher penalties but for stricter enforcement to deter motorists from violating the rights of people with disabilities.
Speaking to the GDN at the time, Bahrain Mobility International Barrier Removal Committee head Mohamed Saad said he had witnessed numerous cases of able-bodied drivers occupying accessible parking spaces, forcing people with mobility challenges to park far from the buildings they needed to access.
Mr Saad added that when he confronted some motorists over the issue, he was often told to ‘mind his own business’, reinforcing the need for stronger enforcement measures across the country.
He also called for a nationwide review of existing accessible parking facilities, particularly spaces that are too narrow for people to safely enter and exit their vehicles or transfer into wheelchairs.
At the same time, Mr Saad stressed the importance of recognising that some disabilities are not immediately visible, noting that many individuals with hidden medical conditions are legally entitled to use accessible parking spaces and can verify their eligibility through official documentation.
According to previously published GDN statistics, Bahrain is home to 3,990 individuals with physical disabilities, 2,210 with hearing impairments, 1,302 with visual impairments, 5,332 with mental and psychological disabilities, and 911 people living with multiple disabilities.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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