Illegal use of a blue or red disabled parking placard hangtag will result in a $250 parking ticket under new legislation Mayor Greg Nickels announced on June 11.
The proposal aims to end the unlawful use of placards that denies disabled individuals accessible parking and hurts patrons’ access to local businesses and activities.
“Abuse of disabled parking placards has real consequences for the disabled, denying them accessible parking for their daily work, shopping and medical appointments,” Nickels said in a statement. “This proposal will give our officers more tools to ensure disabled drivers, residents and visitors can more easily park on our city’s streets.”
The Seattle Police Department recently reviewed disabled parking hangtags used citywide and uncovered significant problems. Abuses found were placards that were expired, issued to people since deceased, or reported “lost” to the Department of Licensing but still in use.
When contacted about possible misuse, 85 percent of drivers were found to be inappropriately using placards.
Under current law, parking enforcement officers can issue tickets only directly to a driver, even in cases where an officer can verify that the placard is invalid, (i.e., expired, reported lost or stolen or permit holder listed as deceased).
Officers cannot simply leave a ticket on the vehicle. Under the new legislation the mayor has sent to the council, officers will be able to cite the vehicle. By providing better enforcement tools, the legislation will ensure more parking spaces are available for disabled patrons with legitimate placards and other parking customers.
The city expects this legislation will create incentives for voluntary compliance with current parking regulations.
Disabled parking privileges are issued by the Washington State Department of Licensing, provided drivers meet criteria as certified by a physician. A disabled license plate goes with the car registered to the disabled person; the placard is portable and may be used on multiple vehicles as long as the disabled person is in the vehicle while it’s being used.
