Misusing disabled parking spot can be expensive

Accessible parking spots for those with permits are available at town and municipal buildings and at many businesses. They are appropriately placed for people with physical disabilities or other mobility issues that make it difficult for them to travel distances. These parking spots are available only to those who have a permit to use it.

Applications for permits are available online or at the Registry of Motor Vehicles branch. In order to obtain a permit, you must fill out an application form that must then be certified by a medical practitioner. There is no fee for this application, though some doctors might charge.

Permits are also available on a temporary basis for those who have recently had surgery or an injury.

A permit is to be used by the person who applied for it. They are to be clearly visible on the rearview mirror or plate of the vehicle using accessible parking spots.

Fines for misusing the parking permits are enforced in Digby by Special Const. Richard Parry, town bylaw and traffic enforcement officer, as well as by RCMP.

In the municipality, such parking spots are enforced by RCMP with support from property owners.

Fines for parking in these spaces without a visible permit begin at $132 and increase with each offence. It is at the discretion of the officer whether to issue a warning or a fine for each offence and situation.

Those who are clearly in violation may not be so lucky. Violations occur when a vehicle is parked in a handicapped space and using a permit that does not belong to them. They also occur when a vehicle without a permit is parked in these spaces.

So what can you to report an illegally parked vehicle?

In town, contact Special Constable Parry at 245-8478 or go to town hall to make a formal complaint. If you are at any of the local businesses, you can go inside and speak to the manager about it.

I spoke with Nora Harvey at Wal-Mart who welcomes complainants who know a car is illegally parked in one of the spots.

You can also call the police. They may wait for the driver of the vehicle to exit the store and issue a ticket accordingly. They can also use information such as plate number to locate the driver. You may be directed to give some personal information as you may be requested to appear in court should the driver make a formal appeal to the charge.

If a permit is misused, the police will file complaint to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, which will then revoke the permit. Unfortunately, the person losing out in this situation is often the one who requires it in the first place.

If you have questions, you can contact me at 245-2579.

Dawn Thomas is Seniors’ Safety coordinator for the Town and Municipality of Digby