WAFF-TV: News, Weather and Sports for Huntsville, ALAdvocates want harsher fines for illegal handicap parking

Advocates want harsher fines for illegal handicap parking

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Advocates want better enforcement of handicap parking laws. Advocates want better enforcement of handicap parking laws.
HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) -

Alabama lawmakers are looking into making fines and penalties tougher for people who illegally park in handicapped spots. They're looking at new measures that would help police enforce disabled parking laws that already exist.

Some have said it's hard for officers to enforce the law because many handicap signs don't visibly show the fine.

Disabled advocates want legislatures to change it so that any ticket is enforceable. They also want lawmakers to allow cities to let specially trained deputy citizens to write tickets so police get a better handle on the problem.

"We want to send the message out there. This is a civil rights issue. When you violate, when you illegally park in these spaces, you're violating somebody else's civil rights," said Graham Sisson with the Governor's Office of Disabilities.

Sisson believes tying the driver to the tag is another issue that needs to be improved. Some states issue a card with a placard, so if there's any doubt about the person driving with a handicap tag, they'll be able to show their placard.

Advocates are hoping legislatures can solve the issues this year since many drivers are up for renewal and they last five years.

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