DMV and Pasadena PD Score Big at Soccer Game Sunday at Rose Bowl; 31 Drivers Busted for Illegal Use of Disabled Parking Placards

Investigators with the California Department of Motor Vehicles cited 31 people Sunday for illegally parking in handicap spaces at the Rose Bowl.
– Courtesy photo / (CC BY 3.0)

By Terry Miller

Some underhanded soccer fans got a lot more than they bargained for Sunday when these off side fans professed to be disabled in order to get privileged parking that’s reserved for those who are genuinely handicapped or disabled.

As a result, investigators with the California Department of Motor Vehicles cited 31 people Sunday for illegally parking in handicap spaces at the Rose Bowl, according to a DMV spokesperson.

“Our DMV investigators, who are sworn peace officers, conduct Disabled Person Parking Placard enforcements once a month in each of the DMV’s 24 districts. Many times, we work with local law enforcement, as we did yesterday [Sunday with Pasadena PD] at the Rose Bowl.  During this particular event, we guided drivers with disabled parking placards to a designated parking area where we verified the placards by checking the placard, driver license and registration,” Jaime  Garza, DMV Office of Public Affairs told Pasadena Independent Monday afternoon.

“We confiscate the offenders placard, issue them a misdemeanor fine that ranges from $250 to $1,000, and the offense is recorded on their driver record.  Since this is not a moving violation, no points are given,” Garza added.

The DMV also conducted an enforcement operation at the Glendale Galleria in April that resulted in the issuance of 43 citations. They also conducted one in the downtown Los Angeles area in May that netted 39 citations.

From April 1 to June 30, the DMV has conducted 49 enforcement operations throughout the state and issued 747 citations.

“We hope that by publicizing our proactive enforcement efforts, we will raise public awareness and gain more compliance because those with disabilities depend on disabled parking spots to assist them with their mobility,” Garza said.

California law prohibits placard holders from allowing anyone else to use their placard when they are not present. It is also against the law to displace a disabled person placard that has been canceled or revoked.

DPPP Offenders must appear in court to face possible fines that range from $250 to $1,000. While the misdemeanor offense will appear on an offender’s driver record, no points will be assessed because it is not a moving violation.

The DMV proactively carries out these types of enforcement operations throughout the year in an effort to reduce the impact DPPP fraud has on the mobility of those with disabilities. The DMV also uses these enforcement efforts as a way to raise general awareness and educate Californians about the need for compliance and the consequences that come with violating the law.

The level of reported or observed misuse of DPPP varies from area to area. Most violations involve people using disabled parking placards issued to family or friends to avoid paying parking fees, as well as obtaining convenient and/or unrestricted parking. California Vehicle Code Section 4461(b) (c) prohibits anyone from lending their placard, knowingly permitting the use of their placard or allowing anyone else to use it while they are not present. In addition, a person shall not display a disabled person placard that was not issued to him or her or that has been canceled or revoked.

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