free parking at a meter or scoring a prime blue-zone space by displaying a fake, stolen or borrowed disabled parking tag could soon cost a lot more.Posted on 01/04/2010 12:27:03 PM PST by SmithL
Scamming free parking at a meter or scoring a prime blue-zone space by displaying a fake, stolen or borrowed disabled parking tag could soon cost a lot more.
A state law that took effect Friday allows cities to charge anywhere from $250 to $1,000 for violating disabled parking laws. And San Francisco, where finding a parking space can induce extreme behavior, is wasting no time. On Tuesday, the Metropolitan Transportation Agency will consider raising its fines for fraudulent use of disabled plates, placards and tags to $825, from $100.
Fines for lesser offenses, such as parking in a disabled space without a disabled parking pass or blocking access to a blue zone, would rise by 10 percent to $330.
The board will also consider allowing parking control officers to issue disabled citations, which, in the past, could only be written by police officers. That change was also enabled by the new state law.
Abuse of disabled parking permits in San Francisco is a serious problem that steals money from the agency's already lean budget . . .
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
I honestly see nothing wrong with this. Don’t park in a handicapped spot illegally and you won’t have a problem.
Good! Two months ago, I was walking from my car (parked in BFE). When I was about a 100ft from the building, I was almost hit by a young 20 something female pulling into a handicap space. She hopped out of her car (complete with handicap tag) in her miniskirt and high heals and followed me into the building. That’s Crap! Not her...she was cute...but the parking, that was Crap.
I don’t disagree but at the same time we have to recognize this for what it is. This is what I like to call, “not raising taxes on the middle class” (raise fines and fees instead).
Yup, this certainly is the most pressing issue in San Fran Sicko.
Homeless peeing on the streets? No problem.
Illegals using up the medical system? No problem.
Female senator who has the IQ of an earthworm? No problem.
But, gotta fine those parking violators.
There shouldn’t be handicap parking, the government should not mandate that the three best parking spots at the auto parts store, remain permanently empty.
“I honestly see nothing wrong with this.”
The city handed out these placards like candy - more placards than there are city parking spaces, if I remember the news correctly. Now, after getting people hooked on the parking “heroin”, they decide to crack down.
I don’t see anything wrong with enforcing the law either, but this is another example of a stupid government creating a problem (on purpose, in my opinion) and then finding a solution in fines that enrich the public coffers.
I don't think this is the same problem. I am going to guess that in California, like most states, you need a doctor's authorization to receive such a placard. If this is true, and placards are being handed out to people who do not need them, then the blame for that should be directed at the doctors who signed off on this. Of course, policing that is next to impossible.
I agree. But I also like optional fines like these, as I never pay them.
Excellent idea. Imagine that, cracking down on the people who abuse the system?!
I honestly see nothing wrong with this. Don’t park in a “whites only” spot illegally and you won’t have a problem.
It is discrimination, and I am SICK of it! Why do old people pay lower property taxes? get extra money and care from the government, and get their own special spots close to the door, just because they have reached a certain age? WTF!
grrr...... sorry you just hit a sore spot of mine.
When I see this, I assume they're MORALLY handicapped.
No, it's courtesy - officially enforced.
It allows those with handicaps to go places they otherwise wouldn't or couldn't.
You wanna make old people with walkers hoof it from the back forty of a mega parking lot ? Does it really hurt you that there's a few spots close by for those folks and heart patients ?
I'll agree I'm sick of abusers of handicapped parking. But then they're morally handicapped so maybe they really need it.
MOST in San Fran are mentally disabled.
I have a tag, need it and use it. It burns my bacon when I see someone in obvious good health, no problem walking taking a space that is needed by someone that is disabled. I wish the law was enforced with more vigor.
I had to drop off a handicapped person at a clinic, then leave their car at the nearest handicapped space (with the sticker) for them to use later on (I worked down the street).
I kept looking over my shoulder thinking I would get lynched walking away from the car.
I suggest they get one of those free hum-arounds the government is giving away to every fat person in America.
well grrr right back- after a debilitating auto accident not of my fault, and totally unavoidable- I was not an old person and I still need a handicap tag. If I have to walk half the parking lot in a mall, I simply skip shopping if I can not find a spot reasonably close otherwise. And no, if I do not need to park in a handicap spot, I don’t. Someone else might need it.
Sorry, I meant to type “state” instead of city. I should look things up instead of relying on my feeble memory. Here you go:
Like I wrote in my first post, I don’t have a problem with them enforcing the parking laws. Don’t park where you’re not supposed to. I don’t.
They are ONLY cracking down on fake, stolen or borrowed disabled parking tags, not ones granted legitimately.
I’m all for it.
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