Blog Archive

Handicap Placard Abuse

8/13/07

The Registry of Motor Vehicles recently partnered with the Inspector General's Office to investigate handicap placard abuse in some of Boston's most difficult to park in areas (the financial district, Newbury Street and around North Station.) A year long surveillance operation found that abuse of the disability placard and handicap parking program is wide spread and the end results are appalling. It is difficult to monitor nearly 300,000 active placards and plates in the Commonwealth, and while fines are currently issued to violators, the RMV and law enforcement had relied heavily on people's conscience and sense of community in helping the disabled. Little did we know.

Able-bodied motorists are repeatedly using the placards of deceased individuals, expired placards, and placards that belong to others to park in primo spots across the city. When is it that this sort of behavior became commonplace? Handicap placards and handicap plates allow people who legitimately need them access to all the city has to offer. Robbing people of that access is cruel and heartless.

Demand for disabled parking is only expected to increase with the aging driving population. If we are not able to curtail misuse now, it will only get worse and stand to impact more people. Imagine being denied access to some of the cities best shopping, hockey and basketball games, theater, fine restaurants, or your job.

State police cited 17 people who now face a $500 fine and a mandatory 30-day loss of license. Another 300 people face further investigation as a result of the IG's surveillance. That's just from monitoring three locations.

The findings send a very clear message to the Registry and law enforcement. There needs to be a better way for people to report abuse. To that end, the RMV now features a parking abuse complaint form on our website at http://www.mass.gov/rmv/hp_complaint/index.htm. If you have reason to believe that abuse has taken place and are willing to file a complaint, please do so, because every person deserves to experience life to the fullest.

For more information on this issue, please read our press release.