Parking authority announces crackdown
Posted Nov 23, 2011 2:54 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Calgary Parking Authority is going to start giving out more tickets to drivers who illegally park in accessible spots, such as handicapped parking spaces.
Troy McLeod with the Parking Authority tells 660News, the number of drivers who are inconsiderate and claim the spaces is alarming.
“It does seem to increase in the month of December,” says McLeod, “and we have well over 600 tickets in December and approximately 6,000 a year for vehicles that are parked in an accessible parking stall.”
Of course, the parking authority hears all kinds of excuses from people caught parking illegally.
“Most of the reasons are that they really just need to make a quick trip in and out, and that they weren’t going to be there long,” adds McLeod who says a crackdown will begin Thursday. “Our officers, if they do happen to come in contact with the driver, certainly gives them an opportunity to move their vehicle.”
Fines for unauthorized parking in a designated stall were increased by 33 percent last year, but it hasn’t resulted in an increase in compliance.
McLeod adds the crackdown isn’t meant to increase the number of fines handed out, but to remind drivers to leave the spaces for those who have permits.
