Parking is a common occurrence for many people, and it can seem that there are countless handicap spots that are open, yet you have you park far away from your destination. However, improperly parking in a handicapped parking space can come with many consequences, both ethically and legally. In this blog, we will walk you through the consequences and impact of misuse of accessible parking spots, and how you can be a part of the solution.
Who Qualifies for Handicap Placards?
Individuals with the following conditions may be eligible:
- Limited mobility due to neurological, orthopedic, or musculoskeletal conditions
- Respiratory conditions that require oxygen therapy
- Cardiovascular diseases that significantly impair mobility
- Recent surgery or temporary disabilities
To get a handicap placard in Colorado Springs, you’ll need to complete the application form DR 2219, including a signature from a licensed medical professional. This is available online or at any DMV office. You can submit the application online, in person at any El Paso County Motor Vehicle Office, or mail (El Paso County Clerk & Recorder, Motor Vehicle, PO Box 2007, Colorado Springs, CO 80901).
For more information, visit Persons With Disabilities | Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle
Legal Ramifications
The Colorado Springs Police Department has a Disabled Parking Enforcement Unit (DPEU)
composed of 6 volunteers at any given time that patrol to ensure that disabled parking spaces are available for those who need them. The volunteers are authorized to issue citations for the following violations:
- Parking in disabled parking spot – $350 fine
- Expired disabled parking plate or placard – $100 fine
- Parking in a fire lane – $70 fine
- Sidewalk or pedestrian area – $50 fine
- Within 5’ of fire hydrant – $50 fine
According to one of their volunteers Roger McFarland, he has written a record of 33 tickets in one day. “We shouldn’t have to be writing that many tickets,” said McFarland (Tag along with the volunteers enforcing disabled parking in Colorado Springs).
Impact of Misuse
Beyond legal ramifications, there are serious ethical and social consequences to parking in a disabled spot without a permit. It shows a lack of consideration and effectively excludes those with disabilities from that space by wrongfully taking an accessible spot.
For Rochelle Wright, a bilateral above the knee amputee, after she
learned to drive with hand controls and got an accessible van she faced difficulty when she started venturing out into the community. When she parked, she needed a large enough space with the painted white lines to deploy a ramp so that she could get out, however it wasn’t always possible.
“A lot of times people park in those white lines, and we are trying to educate the community of the difficulties that present because it has got to the point where I couldn’t even get back in my vehicle because someone was parked so close to my van and I had to ask a stranger to get in and back it up,” said Wright.
What You Can Do
Don’t park in accessible parking spaces and respect the marked lines
It is not enough to merely not park in those designated spots, but it is also important to stay out of the white lines near disabled spots that are designed for individuals with mobility aids to enter and exit their vehicle.
Report violations
There are a few tools available to report violations in order to advocate for individuals with disabilities that need accessible parking. Here is how to report misuse of disabled parking spaces.
Parking Mobility app – Rochelle recommends downloading and using this app if you see people illegally parked to submit violations. The offenders don’t get a parking ticket, but they get a letter or notification to be more respectful.
Report to Colorado Springs through the GoCOS! App – After downloading the app, navigate to the reporting section and select the option for code enforcement and zoning violations. From there, fill out the form with the necessary details about the illegal disabled parking.
Call the Disabled Parking Enforcement Unit at (719) 444-7820.
Spread Awareness
Awareness is curative, so when the opportunity arises to spread awareness or educate, take the step to educate our community to be more mindful in a respectful way. Not every disability is visible, and you never know what someone may be going through.
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