Accessible Parking Permits

[Admiral Beez]

How does TPS parking enforcement verify that accessible parking permits are legit?

Accessible Parking Permits

Accessible parking permits are issued to the individual with the disability, the permit privileges are not transferable. The permit is not valid when displayed on a vehicle and the vehicle is not being used to pick up, drop off or transport the holder of the permit named therein. Persons who use...

www.toronto.ca

I watched the parking enforcement guy walk through Regent Park today and he’d walk up to a car, see the permit on the dash and move onto the next car. I began looking at cars myself in Regent Park and more than half had disabled permits. Now, there is a senior home there, but still this seems suspicious. Shouldn’t the permits have a bar code TPS can scan to confirm it matches the vehicle or at least the registered vehicle’s owner?

 

[crs1026]

There may be a certain amount of abuse of accessible permits, but it's a very difficult thing to enforce. There are more important things that I would want parking enforcement officers spending their time on.

- Paul

 

[drum118]

The amount of abuse of accessible permits is very high and it starts with the doctor saying they need one when they shouldn't need one in the first place. Accessible permits covers a wide range of needs and some of them should not be on the list. I know a few drivers who use the permit when the person who is the accessible person is not with then and couldn't care if they abused the permit in the first place.

Have seen accessibility users having to travel further because of the person abusing their permit. Personally, the permit should show the face of the person who needs it and why along it must be in their procession at all times and only place on the dashboard when they are in the vehicle.

Those caught abuse the accessible permit should pay 3-4 times more than the current cost the first time they are caught, double the 2nd time of the first cost as well the suspension of the permit for 2 weeks that will have an impact on the person who the permit is for in the first place.

Parking enforcement officers spend a lot of time giving tickets to UPS, FedEx and delivery trucks that already have a ticket on they from moving from spot to spot that is class of doing businesses without a blink of an eye. They also spend time photogating the vehicle from different angles as well the posted sign where it is parked.

 

[DSCToronto]

How does TPS parking enforcement verify that accessible parking permits are legit?

Accessible Parking Permits

Accessible parking permits are issued to the individual with the disability, the permit privileges are not transferable. The permit is not valid when displayed on a vehicle and the vehicle is not being used to pick up, drop off or transport the holder of the permit named therein. Persons who use...

www.toronto.ca

I watched the parking enforcement guy walk through Regent Park today and he’d walk up to a car, see the permit on the dash and move onto the next car. I began looking at cars myself in Regent Park and more than half had disabled permits. Now, there is a senior home there, but still this seems suspicious. Shouldn’t the permits have a bar code TPS can scan to confirm it matches the vehicle or at least the registered vehicle’s owner?

Yes, there is huge misuse of these permits and (though I appreciate that some people DO need them). I live on a street that has permit parking on one side and No Parking on the other and this allows 2 lanes for traffic, one west one east. It is infuriating to see the street essentially blocked by "handicapped cars' parked on the No Parking side and more so to see them driven off by people who were playing vigourously with their kids moment before. As @drum118 says, part of the problem is that they are too easy to obtain, too easy to retain and seldom, if ever, questioned.

In UK you can generally get a "Blue Badge" only if you are getting some kind of disability allowance and to get these you do need to meet (or fail to meet) quite strict criteria. See https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/blue-badge-can-i-get-one/can-i-get-a-blue-badge

 

[nfitz]

The amount of abuse of accessible permits is very high ...

On the other hand, it's not unusual, to drive into somewhere, and all the handicap spots are empty.

I live on a street that has permit parking on one side and No Parking on the other and this allows 2 lanes for traffic, one west one east. It is infuriating to see the street essentially blocked by "handicapped cars' parked on the No Parking side ...

As far as I know, the "handicapped" permit doesn't give you permission to park in a no parking area.

That said, if they had more streets with parking on both sides - at least for parts of the street - it would provide more traffic calming (and I suppose, more parking)

 

[Admiral Beez]

How can TPS tell that one hasn’t just made a colour photoshopped forgery?

 

[drum118]

How can TPS tell that one hasn’t just made a colour photoshopped forgery?

Some places in the US, the license plates has the logo on them.

As for TPS, they have no way to know if it real or not.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Some places in the US, the license plates has the logo on them.

As for TPS, they have no way to know if it real or not.

That seems dumb. Just add a bar code on the permit for the TPS to scan to see if it matches to the database.

For example, San Francisco has implemented measures to scan and verify disabled parking permits to combat fraud. They use mobile technology to check the authenticity of permits in real-time, helping to ensure that only those who are eligible are using the accessible parking spaces.

 

[nfitz]

Some places in the US, the license plates has the logo on them.

How does that work? My father has a card, but can no longer drive. It's whoever who is driving him somewhere with their own car, who uses the card, so he can be close and get his walker.

 

[DSCToronto]

How does that work? My father has a card, but can no longer drive. It's whoever who is driving him somewhere with their own car, who uses the card, so he can be close and get his walker.

The City website notes that here it is the PERSON who has the permit not the vehicle:

Accessible parking permits are issued to the individual with the disability, the permit privileges are not transferable. The permit is not valid when displayed on a vehicle and the vehicle is not being used to pick up, drop off or transport the holder of the permit named therein. Persons who use an accessible parking permit in the absence of the named holder, may be charged under the Highway Traffic Act.

A current valid permit must be displayed and clearly visible on the vehicle’s sun visor or front dash.

Accessible parking permits shall not be altered or defaced in any way. Photocopied or reproduced copies (by any means) are not valid. Persons using copied, altered or fraudulently obtained permits may be charged under the Highway Traffic Act.

Committing any of the above offences may result in your vehicle being tagged and or towed.

Lots of details on exactly where one can park Including:

A permit holder or driver (operating a vehicle for the purpose of transporting an accessible permit holder) who displays a valid accessible parking permit is entitled to the following exemptions:

• Signed prohibited parking areas (this includes time restricted areas only between the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) No exemptions exist during the rush hour periods between 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Further non-exemptions apply, please see below.
• Signed on-street permit parking areas. Vehicles displaying a valid parking permit are permitted to park without a designated on-street parking permit
• Signed parking limits such as one hour and two hour maximums; holders are allowed to exceed the signed maximum parking limit
• Unsigned maximum three-hour parking limit in effect on all city streets
• Holders may park at on-street parking meters or pay and display machines without putting a coin in the meter/machine during the hours of legal operation. Note: Exemption does not apply to off-street parking meters/machines (ie. on private property or in Green P parking lots).

Please note: In all of the above situations where parking is permitted, it is permitted for a period not to exceed a maximum of 24 hours.

See: https://www.toronto.ca/services-pay...ccessible-streets/accessible-parking-permits/

 

[sixrings]

How does TPS parking enforcement verify that accessible parking permits are legit?

Accessible Parking Permits

Accessible parking permits are issued to the individual with the disability, the permit privileges are not transferable. The permit is not valid when displayed on a vehicle and the vehicle is not being used to pick up, drop off or transport the holder of the permit named therein. Persons who use...

www.toronto.ca

I watched the parking enforcement guy walk through Regent Park today and he’d walk up to a car, see the permit on the dash and move onto the next car. I began looking at cars myself in Regent Park and more than half had disabled permits. Now, there is a senior home there, but still this seems suspicious. Shouldn’t the permits have a bar code TPS can scan to confirm it matches the vehicle or at least the registered vehicle’s owner?

There used to be someone with a Porsche 911 turbo in the entertainment district with one of these plates and they parked everywhere. Not exactly the vehicle I expect someone with disabilities to drive. But what do I know.

 

[sixrings]

On the other hand, it's not unusual, to drive into somewhere, and all the handicap spots are empty.


As far as I know, the "handicapped" permit doesn't give you permission to park in a no parking area.

That said, if they had more streets with parking on both sides - at least for parts of the street - it would provide more traffic calming (and I suppose, more parking)

We need more parking underground so we can put in row lanes for transit, bike lanes and wider sidewalks. We shouldn’t be encouraging more on street parking.

 

[DSCToronto]

There used to be someone with a Porsche 911 turbo in the entertainment district with one of these plates and they parked everywhere. Not exactly the vehicle I expect someone with disabilities to drive. But what do I know.

Why? Do you assume that, just because many are, that all disabled people are poor?