New increased fines for drivers who park on footpaths, in cycle lanes and in bus lanes are set to go into effect from February 1st.
From now on, drivers found parked illegally in any of these areas will be subject to a fixed charge penalty of €80, up from €40 previously.
The changes to the fine system are intended to "encourage a more considerate use of road space" according to the Minister for Transport and the Environment, Eamon Ryan.
Parking on footpaths, cycle lanes and operational bus lanes is already illegal in Ireland and the new rules are a beefing-up of existing laws rather than an introduction of new ones.
According to Minister Ryan:
"Parking on footpaths puts vulnerable pedestrians, such as wheelchair users and those pushing buggies, at significant risk by forcing them off the footpath and into traffic. Parking in bus and cycle lanes endangers cyclists and undermines State investment in sustainable public transport infrastructure."
The new charges have been broadly welcomed, especially by disability advocacy groups.
Speaking in The Irish Times, June Tinsley, the head of communications at the National Council for the Blind of Ireland said that: "the increase in parking fines is a welcome deterrent but it will be meaningless without adequate enforcement."
Parked cars, she said, "like other temporary obstacles" created significant difficulties for those who are blind or visually impaired.
John Fulham, the Paralympian and the Irish Wheelchair Association's public engagement manager echoed Tinsley's concerns.
"The key will be enforcement. If people know they will be fined €80, they will not park on footpaths."
Higher fines, however, are not the only thing that Fulham believes are needed to get people to change their behaviour. As well as more drastic action such as increasing the use of tow trucks to remove and impound illegally parked cars, an attitude shift among the general public towards other road users is really what is required.
"It's not solely about traffic wardens and gardaí enforcing the laws. People need to consider others."