Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, July 9, 1990 TAG: 9007090227
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A3 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Under a recommendation going to council tonight, the fine would increase to $60 if not paid within 10 days.
City officials and representatives for the Mayor's Committee for the Disabled worked out an agreement on the $50 fine.
Currently, the fine for parking in handicapped spaces on city streets is $5 and $25 for spaces in shopping centers and other private property. The new fine would apply for all handicapped spaces.
Two weeks ago, council considered imposing a $100 fine for handicapped parking violations, the maximum allowed by state law. But it delayed action until city officials could confer with the committee for the disabled.
Earlier, City Attorney Wilburn Dibling Dibling recommended a $25 fine for illegal parking in handicapped spaces on the streets so the penalty would be the same on both public and private property. But handicapped advocates said a larger fine is needed to deter illegal parking in the spaces.
Handicapped advocates asked council to approve either a $100 fine or a progressive fine system: $50 for the first violation, $75 for the second violation and $100 for the third.
City officials said progressive fines could be difficult to enforce because police officers who ticket illegal parkers would have no way of knowing immediately whether the violation was the first, second or third. They said officers would need the information so they could include the amount of the fine on the parking ticket. Motorists can pay parking tickets by mail.
If council approves the $50 fine, it would become effective Sept. 1. This would give the city time to print new parking tickets and to publicize the new fine and the public's need to observe handicapped parking regulations, City Manager Robert Herbert and Dibling said.
They said the city also would post information about the fine on signs for handicapped parking spaces on streets and other public property.
They said the city also will review the number and locations of handicapped parking spaces in the downtown area. Handicapped advocates have complained that the city does not have enough handicapped spaces downtown.
Herbert and Dibling also have recommended that the fine for handicapped parking violations at Virginia Western Community College be increased from $5 to $25. College officials think a $25 fine would be an adequate deterrent for students, they said.
by CNB