Contact: Office of Public Affairs
2415 First Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 657–6437 | dmvpublicaffairs@dmv.ca.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2019
High rate of compliance a positive sign public is heeding message to ‘Save the Space’
San Jose – Investigators with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issued two citations to people fraudulently using a disabled parking placard during an enforcement operation today along six blocks of San Fernando Street in downtown San Jose. Offenders had their placard confiscated and face fines that range from $250 to $1,000.
Working in partnership with San Jose Parking Enforcement, DMV investigators contacted 51 drivers during the two-hour operation and issued three warnings for questionable placard use.
The high rate of compliance in the greater San Jose region is an encouraging sign that the DMV’s message to “Save the Space” is resonating with Californians.
“We are seeing a slight decrease in the number of citations for disabled parking placard abuse,” DMV Chief of Investigations Tom Wilson said. “While it’s too early to say it’s a trend, it certainly is promising.”
The DMV holds as many as 24 enforcement operations each month throughout the state targeted at curbing disabled person parking placard abuse. Statewide, DMV investigators have issued 1,730 citations from July 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019.
Anyone who suspects a person might be misusing a disabled person placard is urged to report it using an online complaint form or by contacting a local DMV Investigations office. Submissions are confidential. It is important to note that some qualifying disabilities are not visually apparent and allegations of misuse might be unfounded.
The DMV has a comprehensive public awareness campaign, which includes publicizing results of its monthly enforcement operations throughout the state. The public and media are encouraged to download, display and share posters, brochures, and public service announcements available in English and Spanish at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/license-plates-decals-and-placards/disabled-person-parking-placards-plates
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