parking illegally in handicapped space

[mgabriele]

Pennsylvania - some one I work with is using his mother's handicapped tag (which we also believe is expired) to park in the handicapped spot every day. He has even admitted to us that he does this and he thinks it is funny. In the meantime, he is taking a space from someone that legitimately needs it. Can you tell me what the fine would be for doing this. If I go to the police dept and report him, would I be taken seriously. It just galls me that he has the nerve to do this and then to boast about it.

[moburkes]

Originally Posted by mgabriele

Pennsylvania - some one I work with is using his mother's handicapped tag (which we also believe is expired) to park in the handicapped spot every day. He has even admitted to us that he does this and he thinks it is funny. In the meantime, he is taking a space from someone that legitimately needs it. Can you tell me what the fine would be for doing this. If I go to the police dept and report him, would I be taken seriously. It just galls me that he has the nerve to do this and then to boast about it.

Who cares what the fine is - just know that its expensive. Don't GO to the police station, just call. Yes, they'll take you seriously.

[pcgumshoe]

Handicapped parking violations can be steep. However, the more important thing here (that may make it worse for the offender) is that if he is found using the handicapped placard in violation of the permissible uses, the placard may be revoked. So, your work associates mother might get awfully pissed at her son when she needs to park next to Safeway, but has to roll in the rain from farther away.

Police do take this seriously and have special units set up (often with volunteers) who patrol looking for violations.

Knowing your states law concerning when the placard holder must be present will be important especially if you want to have him caught. It is my belief that all states (but I can only go by California) require that the placard holder be present when you are leaving the parking space. In other words, let's say that you are going to pick up your mother at a doctors appointment, if you were out driving around you could pull up to handicapped parking with her permit and go inside and pick her up. However, if you were dropping her off at her home and there's a handicapped parking there, if you were to come out and leave without her, you'd be violating the parking. Do you understand that?

I'd let the Police know what time he gets off work and have them show up around that time, then he'd likely get a ticket AND the placard (or plate) might be confiscated for misuse.

Penalty could be from $250 and up.

[Zigner]

Originally Posted by pcgumshoe

It is my belief that all states (but I can only go by California) require that the placard holder be present when you are leaving the parking space. In other words, let's say that you are going to pick up your mother at a doctors appointment, if you were out driving around you could pull up to handicapped parking with her permit and go inside and pick her up. However, if you were dropping her off at her home and there's a handicapped parking there, if you were to come out and leave without her, you'd be violating the parking. Do you understand that?

Ok, for your example - please back it up with a citation, as it doesn't make sense. By your logic, if you park at a handicapped spot to drop off the placard-holder, then return to your car without said placard-holder, you are violating the law, and that is not necessarily true.

(CVC section 4461(b) reads (in part): A person to whom a disabled person placard has
been issued may permit another person to use the placard only while
in the presence or reasonable proximity of the disabled person for
the purpose of transporting the disabled person.)