Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 10, 1990 TAG: 9007100379
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The fine will increase to $60 if not paid within 10 days.
The fine now for parking in handicapped spaces on city streets is $5 and $25 for spaces in shopping centers and on other private property.
The new fine, approved Monday night by City Council, will apply for all handicapped spaces.
Two weeks ago, council had considered imposing a $100 fine for violations, the maximum allowed by state law. But it delayed action until city officials could confer with the Mayor's Committee for the Disabled.
Representatives for the committee told council Monday night that they support the $50 fine recommended by City Manager Robert Herbert and City Attorney Wilburn Dibling.
Earlier, Dibling had recommended a $25 fine for illegal parking in handicapped spaces on the streets so that 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 all 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 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.
By making the new fine effective Sept. 1, Herbert and Dibling said 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.
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 downtown. Handicapped advocates have complained that the city does not have enough.
On a related matter, council voted to increase the fine for handicapped parking violations at Virginia Western Community College from $5 to $25. College officials said they think a $25 fine would be an adequate deterrent for students.
by CNB