While parking illegally in disabled parking spaces might not rate as the
most serious of criminal offenses, violators who can walk a few extra
feet to enter a business are often obstructing access for those who
cannot. Good citizenship requires that we all do our part to ensure that
the rights of those with physical disabilities are respected and
protected.
A WORD FROM CONSTABLE LOPEZ
“Ensuring equal access
for our disabled community is one of the reasons I ran for Constable.
Since taking office I have deputized over 70 citizen volunteers to
patrol and write citations for those who violate the law by parking in
spaces that are reserved for people with disabilities. I have a
full-time officer seizing hangtags illegally being used by people who
are not disabled. My goal is to put this program out of business for
lack of need but to do so I need your help: please volunteer with our
disabled parking enforcement program.”
Those who are interested
in becoming citizen volunteers can obtain more information HERE or by
calling the Precinct 5 office at 512-854-5888
History:
In
September of 1995, armed with new state legislation, Constable Bruce
Elfant established a Citizen Disabled Parking Enforcement Program to
ensure that disabled parking spaces would be available for those who are
lawfully entitled to them. He fully expected that, with additional
enforcement and publicity, citizens would come to understand the need
for these parking spaces and comply with state law. As the program
enters its 23rd year at Travis County, disabled parking violations
remain as prevalent as ever. Constable Lopez was instrumental in
establishing the program and, as the new Constable, he continues to be
active and involved in working for county-wide recognition of the need
for equal access for our disabled community.
Special Operations/DPE
Office: (512) 854-9100
DPE Hot Line - (512) 854-5888
Please provide the address in Travis County where the violation is occurring, day(s) of the week, time of day, description of
vehicle (including State/license plate number if known).
If this is to report improper signage for disabled spaces, please provide
address and name of business.
We will follow up on the information you provide. Note: If it is incomplete, we will not be able to process your request.
FAQ's
Q. I got a disabled parking ticket because I forgot to hang my valid tag, what should I do?
A.
Bring your hangtag and your driver's license to the JP office listed on
the ticket. They will make a copy of them to turn in with the paperwork
to be considered for dismissal.
Q. I loaned my car to a friend
and they found a disabled parking ticket on the windshield addressed to
me. I wasn't responsible for it - what should I do?
A. As the
owner of the vehicle you are responsible for the ticket, unless you can
get your friend to acknowledge that they were driving the car at the
time. You would have to bring in a sworn affidavit from them stating
that fact.
Q. I received a letter from Constable's office
notifying me that a disabled parking charge has been filed with the
court. I sold my car last year, why did I get this?
A. When the
license plate is checked, it comes back to the registered owner of the
vehicle. If you did not properly transfer the title to the new owner,
your name will still be listed. You are liable for the ticket unless you
have a sworn statement showing that you no longer own it.
Q. I am my mother's caregiver, can I use her disabled hangtag if I am going to go get groceries or prescriptions for her?
A.
It is illegal to use someone else's hangtag if they are not with you in
the vehicle, even if it is a family member you are caring for.
Q.
I have a hangtag but was given a ticket when I parked in the yellow
stripes by the disabled parking sign, what did I do wrong?
A. The
diagonal stripes are there so that disabled persons can exit their
vehicles safely. No one should park on the yellow stripes. The offense
is called "blocking", and you will be ticketed even if you have a
hangtag or disabled plates.
Q. I see the same car parked in
disabled parking spaces near my work without a hangtag or disabled
plates, is there some way I can report this?
A. The Constable5.com web site has a form you can fill out to report violations. Click here to access the page.
Helpful Links
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