Drivers caught misusing parking spaces for the disabled in public carparks now face heftier fines, reported The Straits Times.

Fines for first-time offenders have been quadrupled from $50 to $200 since December, with the authorities saying that they are monitoring the situation and will consider stiffer measures if necessary.

The Ministry of National Development (MND) and Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) revealed the higher penalties last week, in response to media queries. "The higher fines help to deter abled people from using the accessible lots. People with disabilities will then not be deprived of such lots," they said in a joint statement.

Besides stiffer fines, the Government is looking to do more. The MSF and SG Enable, a government-established agency to help people with disabilities, are piloting a new design of accessible parking labels to boost visibility and help in enforcement. The new labels, currently used by members of the Handicaps Welfare Association (HWA), are set to be introduced in the middle of the year.