It’s a beef many drivers share: Seeing somebody with a disabled placard hanging from their rear-view mirror park in handicapped area after which exit their automobile with no bodily incapacity evident.
Roger asks if there’s an efficient technique to report potential placard fraud.
“I attempted the direct method with the DMV and that appeared to be fruitless,” he says.
ASK LAZ: Sensible solutions to client questions
In California, about 1 in 10 drivers are legally registered to hold blue and purple disabled placards. It’s been estimated that roughly a 3rd of automobiles displaying such tags could also be instances of fraudulent use of such tags.
It is a difficult enterprise. Not everybody who receives a parking move might seem disabled. Some could appear wholesome however have underlying circumstances that qualify as disabilities.
That mentioned, I've little question that there’s abuse of these items. Like Roger, I’ve witnessed quite a few cases of supposedly disabled folks moving into or out of vehicles who regarded decidedly match.
I imply, when somebody’s sporting exercise duds and leaving the fitness center, it’s truthful to marvel why that particular person requires particular parking privileges.
The California Division of Motor Autos says that it considers “crimes referring to disabled placards very critical and each grievance of this nature can be reviewed.”
In case you suspect anybody of pulling a quick one with a disabled placard, the DMV says you'll be able to report it by calling (800) 777-0133. That’s the company’s common cellphone quantity, so it’s comprehensible that, like Roger, you would possibly really feel it will get you nowhere.
The next move is perhaps touching base with one of many DMV’s investigation workplaces statewide. Right here’s a hyperlink to search out them.
You may also report placard abuse to any native law-enforcement company, together with the cops, sheriff’s division, freeway patrol or your county Division of Transportation.
Right here’s a hyperlink for town of Los Angeles’ info for reporting placard abuse.
If these varied avenues accomplish nothing, there are web sites that say they’ll file complaints in your behalf.
One such website is HandicappedFraud.org, which describes itself as “a spot for community-based reporting of handicapped placard abuse and fraud.”
However I’ll reiterate: A wholesome trying particular person can nonetheless be legally disabled, so preserve that in thoughts earlier than enjoying Eliot Ness.
When you have a client query, e mail me at asklaz@latimes.com or contact me by way of Twitter @Davidlaz.
Post a Comment