Disabled rights activists are calling on Government to change the law to clamp down on people who park in disabled spaces.

Currently, if "handicapped parking" signs are in private places such as grocery stores, Police and traffic wardens have no powers to book drivers who park there without a disabled permit.

But Police and traffic wardens can ticket those who ignore the law in the City of Hamilton.

Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association (BPHA) wants Government to change the law so that the "handicapped parking" signs outside the City are changed to "handicapped parking by permit only".

This would allow Police and traffic wardens to ticket offenders and hit them with a hefty fine for ignoring the signs.

It would also bring Bermuda into line with other countries such as the United States, Canada, Britain, and the rest of the European Union.

Keith Forbes of BPHA said it was important to have the same rules as these countries because Bermuda attracts tourists from these areas.

Overseas visitors are unable to drive in Bermuda, but they can bring their disabled parking permits from their host country and give them to taxi drivers or Island residents who are showing them around the Island.