Selected Toronto Parking Fines Triple

[jwmorrice]

March 15, 2008
Parking fines triple
City claims it's not a cash racket
By TAMARA CHERRY, SUN MEDIA

Tripling the amount drivers will pay for parking illegally in disabled, fire hydrant or fire route spaces has nothing to do with increasing revenue for a cash-strapped Toronto, the city says.

"What we are really hoping is that it will not bring any more revenue," the city's director of traffic management Roberto Stopnicki said yesterday, after the new fines took effect.

"What would be ideal is that the actual revenue that is brought as a result of these fines is continuously decreased because the public is continuously abiding by the law."

As of midnight yesterday, parking in a handicapped spot without a permit will cost Torontonians $450, up from $50-$150, depending on different bylaws of former municipalities.

The idea for this hike was conceived in 2002 in response to the provincial Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

"The people who actually needed to use the spaces were not able to do that," Stopnicki said.

Parking near a fire hydrant will now cost you $100, up from $30. Blocking a fire route will mean $250 out of your pocket, up from $75-$100.

These increases were recommended in 2004, but the city has had to wait until recently for provincial approval.

There were 5,500 handicapped parking tickets issued in 2006, but "severely alarming" was the number of fire-related tickets, Stopnicki said.

Nearly 40,000 were issued for blocking fire routes in 2006 and about 35,000 were for fire hydrant violations, he said.

 

[yaya17]

Another class move by that idiot David Miller and his lemmings on city council.

They waste money paying themselves an obnixous salary, piss money away with some useless social programs, and spend millions on a homeless shelter when there are already plenty of them throughout the city.

To pay for these and other bad spendings they have to develop the land transfer tax, shut down rinks throughout the city before March break even ends, and now double and triple parking ticket fines just to pay for their mis-spending.

This city has never been in such poor shape and it's all due to Miller. They keep spending and spending on useless shit only to realize that they now cant afford to privide some of the necessities.

The mayor treats the cops like shit, the firefighters like shit, and probably cant afford to pay the TTC even close to what they are looking for. Look for the TTC to strike after April 1 - the cops tried it but they were legislated back to work.

This should be the last term for this idiot.

 

[elmufdvr]

yes i hope so .. but what idiot should run the city next... hahah mel doesn't look so bad now does he...? he may have said stupid things at least he ran a better city... it should be run like a good business.. the cops and fire department need city backing .. and the ttc is important also.. i would cut counclers expences... no more perks.. some of them have proven they can do thier jobs well with reasonable expences..while others run away with the abuse... at least it is a start...

 

[Keebler Elf]

Another class move by that idiot David Miller and his lemmings on city council.

WTF???

Tripling the amount drivers will pay for parking illegally in disabled, fire hydrant or fire route spaces

Yeah, cuz tripling the fines for morons who park in such spaces is such a bad thing.

This is a PERFECT example of how no matter what a politician does, joe schmoe is going to think it's a bad thing.

 

[hilroy]

WTF???

Tripling the amount drivers will pay for parking illegally in disabled, fire hydrant or fire route spaces

Yeah, cuz tripling the fines for morons who park in such spaces is such a bad thing.

This is a PERFECT example of how no matter what a politician does, joe schmoe is going to think it's a bad thing.

Finaly someone with some sense christ fines up here have been well over 300
for parking in Handicapped for years . If you are the kind of person who bitches about handicapped parking fines your probably park there regularly and should be fined and kicked in the nuts for being an ignorant prick in the first place.

 

[LazMan]

Besides increasing the handicap parking fines, what about cracking down on people that abuse the handicap tags?

Just cause dad or grandma's sticker is in the car, doesn't mean someone can use the tag all the time. I see it often, vehicles that have a handicap sticker, but the 'intended' user of the tag isn't in the car; but the driver feels free use the dedicated spaces.

As for blocking hydrants - doesn't bother me - wouldn't be the first time I've smashed out windows to pass a hose THROUGH a car to get to the hydrant...

 

[hilroy]

Besides increasing the handicap parking fines, what about cracking down on people that abuse the handicap tags?

Just cause dad or grandma's sticker is in the car, doesn't mean someone can use the tag all the time. I see it often, vehicles that have a handicap sticker, but the 'intended' user of the tag isn't in the car; but the driver feels free use the dedicated spaces.

As for blocking hydrants - doesn't bother me - wouldn't be the first time I've smashed out windows to pass a hose THROUGH a car to get to the hydrant...

Kinda funny how the hose usualy springs a bad leak when this happens not sure what causes it

Totaly agree with the missuse of signs as well.

 

[Never Compromised]

Personally, I have no issue with increasing the fine for blocking a hydrant, fire route or parking in a disabled space.

 

[dreamer]

Just cause dad or grandma's sticker is in the car, doesn't mean someone can use the tag all the time. I see it often, vehicles that have a handicap sticker, but the 'intended' user of the tag isn't in the car; but the driver feels free use the dedicated spaces.

I could not agree more. I see this all the time, and yet everyone elected seems to ignore that issue.

The fines for parking in a handicap spot using a permit when the permit holder is not in the car should be triple the normal fine. Do it twice, suspended licence.

 

[tboy]

NOw, I agree that Miller and his cronies are ruining this city but for once I agree with the parking fine increases in these areas. I also hope (but am not holding my breath) that they start ticking handicapped tagged vehicles that park in those spots that don't have a handicapped person on board or with them.

I forget how long ago it was but one of the local TV news stations did an expose on the handicapped tag fiasco. They found many people applied for, and received the tags for handicaps such as a broken arm, for relatives who were no longer alive, and things like that.

Anyone watch that program called "parking wars"? Gives a good insight into the mind of the meter maids/booters. It isn't so much that they are needed (else people would just park anywhere) but they are so a) devious about it b) almost gleeful about it and c) on a power trip. I remember watching one episode and they showed one of them hiding on a bench behind some bushes watching an area that gets regular offenders (people running in for a coffee). There was another segment that showed one of them standing right there and watching someone park with their front end just hanging over into the no parking zone. Did they warn them: "hey, back up a bit else I'll give you a ticket"? No......just waited until they left the vehicle then slapped them with a $300.00 ticket.

 

[George OTJ]

I could not agree more. I see this all the time, and yet everyone elected seems to ignore that issue.

The fines for parking in a handicap spot using a permit when the permit holder is not in the car should be triple the normal fine. Do it twice, suspended licence.

Yeah, that pisses me of too. But whats even worse IMHO is when the person who the tag is issued for IS in the vehicle but doesn't get out. Instead the able-bodied driver jumps out and does their thing; tieing up the spot for a disable person who does need to get out of the vehicle.

 

[S.C. Joe]

The local home improvement stores here-Lowes, Homedepot have dozens of handicapped parking spaces. Everytime I shop there, hardly any are being used-no surprise, huh.

Now if you are in a wheelchair, sure its nice to have a front space but most people going to a home improvement shop are in great shape.

I like to see less handicapped parking spaces and a stricter standard of getting a permit.

 

[a 1 player]

Parking near a fire hydrant will now cost you $100, up from $30. Blocking a fire route will mean $250 out of your pocket, up from $75-$100.

About friggin' time. I'm so against the bullshit tickets, but these two are very reasonable.

 

[canucklehead]

the only people opposed are obviously the ones abusing the system.... lets make it retroactive!!!! back to 2004.... if u can't afford to park.. like gas don't drive.

 

[George OTJ]

The local home improvement stores here-Lowes, Homedepot have dozens of handicapped parking spaces. Everytime I shop there, hardly any are being used-no surprise, huh.

Now if you are in a wheelchair, sure its nice to have a front space but most people going to a home improvement shop are in great shape.

If they're in great shape, then the walk from the regular spots isn't a hardship is it?

Those individuals with canes, crutches and walkers are a different story. As for those in wheelchairs, well have you ever gone out to get in your car only to find some a**hole has blocked you in? Imagine a wheelchair van parked in a regular spot. What do you think the chances are that others will leave enough room to lower the ramp?

P.S... Before arguing too strongly about getting rid of handicapped spaces remember - no one knows what life is going to bring tomorrow. Accidents happen all the time:at home, at work, at play, on the road. You can't know today if 6 months from now YOU are not going to really appreciate disabled parking. "Be careful what you wish for.............."

P.P.S. and if nothing else, someday you are going to be a old frail gentleman with a cane or walker who just wants to pick up a couple of light bulbs - and fighting to keep as much independence as you can.

 

[yaya17]

WTF???

Tripling the amount drivers will pay for parking illegally in disabled, fire hydrant or fire route spaces

Yeah, cuz tripling the fines for morons who park in such spaces is such a bad thing.

This is a PERFECT example of how no matter what a politician does, joe schmoe is going to think it's a bad thing.

I did not realize that the tripled fines only applied to handicap, fire hydrant, and fire route violations.

With that being said anyone who is ignorant enough to block or park in one of these particular spots should be fine a substantial amount.

I saw a story about this on CTV news and from what I saw they had significantly raised all parking ticket fines - some more than others. I obviously midunderstood.

To Keebler - please don't group me into the 'joe schmoe' crowd. Although my dislike for Miller and his crew is obvious I am smart enough to know when the politicans make decisions that are beneficial to the public and not just themselves.

Miller has alienated the police force, the fire department, and is about to do the same with the TTC. He has over spent on unnecessarry projects and to make up for the shortcoming had to eliminate certain programs and increase the price for others.

This is not how you run a business - and the City of Toronto should be run like a business.

 

[james t kirk]

WTF???

Tripling the amount drivers will pay for parking illegally in disabled, fire hydrant or fire route spaces

Yeah, cuz tripling the fines for morons who park in such spaces is such a bad thing.

This is a PERFECT example of how no matter what a politician does, joe schmoe is going to think it's a bad thing.

I'm with ya on this one.

As far as I'm concerned, they could make parking in a disabled spot a $1,000.00 fine.

I've gotten into a war of words with assholes Deliberately parking in a handicapped spot on several occasions. I'd feel sorry for someone who truly didn't see the sign, but those are far and few between of the guys who park in handicapped spots. I've also seen guys with handicapped permits who jump right out of a car and walk just fine. (Using dad's permit?)

 

[The Bandit]

As far as I'm concerned, they could make parking in a disabled spot a $1,000.00 fine.

I've gotten into a war of words with assholes Deliberately parking in a handicapped spot on several occasions. I'd feel sorry for someone who truly didn't see the sign, but those are far and few between of the guys who park in handicapped spots. I've also seen guys with handicapped permits who jump right out of a car and walk just fine. (Using dad's permit?)

My thoughts exactly, I couldn't have said it better...I've thought of saying something to the infractors many times.

 

[oldjones]

…edit…This is not how you run a business - and the City of Toronto should be run like a business.

I was with ya right up to here. Businesses exist to take in money, as long as they do that, what they provide in return is entirely their option. Cities, on the other hand, exist to provide services for citizens and how those services are paid for is optional (as long as it's the other guy doing the paying, in many 'taxed-to-death tiny minds) but the services are not. 'Cause we vote.

I'd be a lot happier if some of the businesses I buy from gave me as much customer service as I get from the city every time I set foot on a sidewalk. Or look at that nice yellow hydrant in front of my house. Don't forget, cities took over fire, roads, transit and other services because the private businesses operating them in the good ol' days paid more attention to their pocket-lining than to public good.

The last thing we need or should want is cities run like businesses. Nortel, Enron, Bear Sterns? But if you'd care to modify your statement to read "…like a good business", maybe we'd find we're from the same town after all. Meantime, could you maybe work on Apple to get them to fix a few long-time potholes in their existing OS before they cut the ribbon on yet another unneeded 'superhighway', like Leopard's Stacks.

 

[oldjones]

My thoughts exactly, I couldn't have said it better...I've thought of saying something to the infractors many times.

Maybe, "Ahh, a mental handicap. Obviously."