Many states are now noticing the fraud that is prevalent in handicap accessible vehicle parking, and are cracking down to give people larger fines and make it harder to fake handicap parking placards.
South Carolina put a low into effect earlier this year which required the disabled person to have a photo on their placard. Other states that have had new laws go into effect in 2010 are North Carolina, and California.
A new website has also been set up by a Californian woman that had a terrible time parking with her handicapped grandfather. Handicapped Fraud.org has users send in tips that she then sends to the officials at the particular state’s department of motor vehicles.
The founder of the handicapped fraud website, Maureen Birdsall, recommends that when someone sees a driver abusing the system, they shouldn’t confront them, though. Some people who use handicapped parking have invisible disabilities, and it would be very upsetting for them to feel as though their illness or disability was not valid.
Some of the changes in handicap parking across the United States are:
-Connecticut: Republican Governor Judi Rell initiated a media campaign; new technology to make it easier to make sure someone has a valid handicap vehicle parking placard, and window stickers instead of the placards that hang on rear view mirrors.
-California: January 1st, a law went into effect that gives cities the control over whether they increase penalties for handicap parking violations. These fines can be up to $1,000. Also, parking officers can issue them now, where before violations could only be issued by law enforcement. After the bill went into effect, the city of San Francisco raised its fine to $750 from $100.
-North Carolina: Handicap parking placards will now have expiration dates that are in a very large font. This way they can be seen over fifteen feet away.
If you notice handicap accessible vehicle fraud be sure to report it.
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