Motorists who try to save some time by parking in disabled parking spaces may be paying with their wallets.
The city’s access ability advisory committee has asked council to have staff review the fine amount for those who park in a designated disabled parking stall without displaying a disabled permit. The committee would like the city to increase the fine from $80 to a more significant amount.
Coun. Betty McIntosh said there was a “lively discussion” at the committee, which occurred after a committee member noted that Herbert Spencer Elementary School has had problems with student drop-off infringing on disabled parking stalls. She said motorists use them and say they’ll be right back, but people requiring those parking stalls don’t have access to them when they arrive.
“It’s not infrequent,” she said about the situation on Second Street. “It is almost every second day.”
McIntosh said the committee felt the fine had to be sufficient to discourage motorists from using those spaces at locations around the city.
“The access committee is wanting to make a statement,” she said. “We don’t have enough disabled parking spots.”
Roger Emanuels, the city’s manager of design and construction, said the street traffic bylaw is in the process of being updated. Staff are concerned that if the fine is too high compared to other municipalities it may be contested in court, so they are trying to find a rate that is consistent with fines in other cities.
McIntosh said she understands staff’s hesitation to impose a $450 fine, a sum discussed by the committee, but noted the advisory group wants the fine to be large enough to dissuade people who are strong and healthy from parking in spaces that are reserved for disabled people and are signed as such. A fine of about $200 has also been suggested.
Mayor Wayne Wright said he’d like to know if the city is currently fining motorists who park illegally in the disabled parking spaces.
Staff will report back to council on potential fines and enforcement of disabled parking spaces in the city.
