NCDC cracks down on illegal parking

 By GYNNIE KERO
CITY manager Leslie Alu has warned motorists in Port Moresby that it is illegal to park vehicles on footpaths and traffic islands, or double-park on streets in the central business district.
Alu said vehicles would be towed away and impounded, and the owners fined.
“Parking on central business district’s newly-paved footpaths, traffic islands, or double-parking, driving onto the wrong side of the road to park, are dangerous to other motorists and compromise the safety of pedestrians,” he said in a notice recently released.
“This amply demonstrates your thoughtlessness for others and disregard for the law.
“You are hereby formally warned by the NCDC (National Capital District Commission) that if you persist with this flagrant disregard for the safety of others, your vehicle may be towed away in your absence and without notice, impounded and you will be fined accordingly.
“Please park your vehicle safely and correctly in the parking bays marked.”
In January, the National Road Safety Council said parking along roadsides and on footpaths was illegal under the new Road Traffic Authority Act.
Road Traffic Authority’s acting chief executive officer Nelson Terema said under the Road Traffic Authority Act, parking along roadsides and on footpaths was illegal and (offending) drivers would be penalised.
“Most of the roads built in the city do not have footpaths. Where can pedestrians walk when drivers park their cars along roadsides and on footpaths? Will they walk on the road? People must use their common sense to respect traffic.”
Deputy city manager Honk Kiap had said
Kiap said the increase in the number of vehicles in the city had resulted in the congestion problem.