Countless times, people have been caught misusing a placard or witnessed someone doing so. While some may justify it as needing it but not having qualified for it, this is still illegal. Fraudulent users prevent individuals who genuinely require accessible handicapped parking spaces from being able to utilize these designated spots.
What is Misuse?
This is the action of using a disability placard (placard abuse) that has not been issued to you. You are allowed, however, to use someone’s placard who is in the vehicle with you or whom you are picking up. Misuse of a handicap placard can be known or unknown to the placard owner. It is best to keep track of your disabled placard and understand the consequences for the misuser and the owner.
What are the consequences?
Misusing a disability parking placard may seem minor, but it can have many consequences for the misuser and the permit holder. Many states have their laws regarding how they handle misuse. Texas law states that placard abuse will result in the misusers being fined up to $1250 with the possibility for up to 50 hours of community service. If you receive a ticket/fine, getting a lawyer to help you determine your best steps may be best. Additionally, the owner of the misused placard stands to lose their placard and rights to a placard. This places more importance on keeping track of and not loaning your placard to family/friends.
Reporting
Dialing 3-1-1 or calling your local authorities are the best options for reporting misuse. If you see the presumed misuser, it is best not to engage and allow authorities to handle the situation instead. This may not always be easy, especially if you need the parking spot being taken.
In conclusion, the concerns for local governments regarding fraudulent users of disability parking placards are multi-faceted. The economic implications, including lost parking revenue and reduced turnover for businesses, are significant. However, the primary concern is the impact on individuals who genuinely need accessible parking spots but are denied the opportunity due to the misuse of a disabled placard. It is crucial for authorities and the community to take proactive measures to address this issue and ensure fair and equal access to parking for everyone.
