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http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-news-illegal-handicap-parking-fee-story,0,7348597.story
Oklahoma is cracking down on a certain parking violation, hitting those who are parked illegally in spots reserved for the disabled with a heavy fine.
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma is cracking down on a certain parking violation, hitting those who are parked illegally in spots reserved for the disabled with a heavy fine. In the past, those caught parking in a disabled parking spot without a permit faced a fine of $150, but a new state law has increased the fine to $500. Shan Carter uses a cane to get around and has a health issue making it dangerous for her to spend too much time in the heat.
She relies on disabled parking spaces, but says they are often hard to find.
Carter says, "If I've cruised the parking lot and haven't found one I'll cancel that trip."
It's a problem State Representative Paul Wesselhoft says many disabled people face.
Wesselhoft says, "I get a lot of complaints from people with vans who want to park, need to park and sometimes it takes a couple of hours to find a place to park."
He says it was those complaints that prompted him to author legislation to increase the fine to $500.
He says, "I know the fine is high and I know some people object to that, but probably those people aren't disabled."
The has governor signed the law, making it effective immediately.
Wesselhoft and Carter both hope the increase will encourage officials to enforce the law and discourage able-bodied people from misusing the spaces.
Carter says, "You could be the person that needs one someday and it really comes in handy when you are that person."
The law not only applies to parking, those caught counterfeiting the parking placards or letting unauthorized people use them could also face the $500 fine.
Oklahoma is cracking down on a certain parking violation, hitting those who are parked illegally in spots reserved for the disabled with a heavy fine.
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma is cracking down on a certain parking violation, hitting those who are parked illegally in spots reserved for the disabled with a heavy fine. In the past, those caught parking in a disabled parking spot without a permit faced a fine of $150, but a new state law has increased the fine to $500. Shan Carter uses a cane to get around and has a health issue making it dangerous for her to spend too much time in the heat.
She relies on disabled parking spaces, but says they are often hard to find.
Carter says, "If I've cruised the parking lot and haven't found one I'll cancel that trip."
It's a problem State Representative Paul Wesselhoft says many disabled people face.
Wesselhoft says, "I get a lot of complaints from people with vans who want to park, need to park and sometimes it takes a couple of hours to find a place to park."
He says it was those complaints that prompted him to author legislation to increase the fine to $500.
He says, "I know the fine is high and I know some people object to that, but probably those people aren't disabled."
The has governor signed the law, making it effective immediately.
Wesselhoft and Carter both hope the increase will encourage officials to enforce the law and discourage able-bodied people from misusing the spaces.
Carter says, "You could be the person that needs one someday and it really comes in handy when you are that person."
The law not only applies to parking, those caught counterfeiting the parking placards or letting unauthorized people use them could also face the $500 fine.