Punish the cheats

Judging by the volume of tickets being issued, there’s no reduction in the number of able-bodied scofflaws hogging parking spots meant for the disabled. That’s happening even though Toronto tripled the fine for such reprehensible conduct a few years ago.

Too many persist in putting their own convenience ahead of other people’s well-being by illegally occupying prime parking spots meant for those facing serious medical conditions or with mobility problems.

However much rogue drivers may complain on being stung by a $450 fine, it hasn’t been enough to blunt bad behaviour. A further crackdown is in order.

As reported by the Star’s Geoffrey Vendeville, parking enforcement officers issue about 12,000 tickets for this offence each year. The number hasn’t changed despite a dramatic jump in the fine back in March 2008.

The penalty originally ranged between $50 and $150.

While it hasn’t deterred lawbreakers, the heavier penalty has produced a significant jump in municipal revenues, prompting some critics to label the increased fine just a cash-grab. If so, there’s a good case to be made that a lot more cash should be grabbed from inconsiderate motorists who steal space from the disabled.

In 2007, before the jacked-up penalty went into effect, parking enforcement officers issued tickets totalling $1.5 million for illegally parking in accessible spaces. After 2008, the city brought in more than $5 million in fines each year.

The budget-makers at Toronto city hall surely welcome that windfall, but the fine isn’t accomplishing its main objective — to curb bad behaviour. As noted by Scott Wylie, parking supervisor with the disabled liaison unit of the Toronto police, the convenience provided by accessible parking spots still outweighs the penalty for abuse.

Perhaps a further doubling of the fine, to $900, might tip the scale back and prompt more law-abiding behaviour. Or the answer might lie in quickly towing away an offending vehicle — or even suspending someone’s licence if they commit repeated offences. How’s that for convenience?

Another problem is misuse of accessible parking permits, often by displaying someone else’s official blue-and-white pass. So far this year, police have seized 800 permits that were being used in an inappropriate manner.

It’s unfortunate that so many drivers are willing to shamelessly exploit provisions that were put in place to make life a bit easier for the disabled.

If common decency won’t motivate these people to do the right thing, society has no choice but to opt for even heavier punishment.

Fines in Toronto for illegally parking in a spot for disabled people aren’t working. Higher penalties for offenders are in order