City cracking down on parking infractions

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This article was published 01/05/2017 (3111 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Parents are being schooled by the city on parking regulations in front of and near schools when they drop off and pick up their children, and it could be expensive.

Beginning today, the Winnipeg Parking Authority is cracking down on drivers who ignore parking regulations in a campaign that will see tickets issued to rule-breakers, even to those who stop for just a moment.

The program includes illegal parking in fire lanes and in spaces designated for people with disabilities.

“This is to really start dealing with issues that we have around schools, community centres, shopping malls, people parking in handicapped zones, fire zones. Now we have the capability to just drive by, get photos and tickets will be mailed out,” Coun. Cindy Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre) said, noting the city starting running an awareness campaign, Be Aware and Park with Care, on April 6.

“We’re hoping that the campaign got the message out to people that they have to be mindful of where they’re stopping, and hopefully we don’t have to issue too many tickets,” she said.

The city will ramp up its parking patrol by using vehicles equipped with four cameras, including two affixed to their roofs, to spot parking infractions and record licence plates, said Ryan Arabsky, the Winnipeg Parking Authority’s manager of regulations and compliance.

Authority employees will catch offenders on camera and tickets will be mailed out.

The parking authority took in about $7 million in parking tickets last year, Arabsky said.

Illegal parking, especially around schools, has been an issue and a safety concern for years, Gilroy said.

“Children could be hit by a car, the car could be rear-ended — sometimes there’s so much chaos, you can’t even see,” she said.

Though some parking infractions are brief, such as quick stops to mail a letter or pick up a prescription, these often involve using spaces dedicated for specific purposes, such as emergency vehicles and for those living with disabilities.

Parking illegally in these areas can create hardship for some and compromise safety for everyone.

“Those spots need to be reserved for the people who need them the most,” Gilroy said. “I know that a lot of shopping malls have requested help in dealing with the fire-lane issue and people parking there. Unfortunately, sometimes when we get a ticket, it causes us to think again.”

Chris Sobkowicz, the city’s access advisory committee co-ordinator, said able-bodied drivers regularly park in spots designated for the disabled.

“There’s tremendous abuse,” said Sobkowicz, who uses a wheelchair.

Fines generally range from $35 for stopping in a no-stopping zone, which increases to $70 if it is not paid within the first 15 days, to $150 for parking in a spot designated for a physically disabled person. If that ticket is not paid within the first 15 days, the $150 goes up to a $300 fine.

“People are going to say (the campaign) is a cash cow,” said Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital), adding the campaign will ultimately make streets safer for children.

To see a list of fines associated with common parking violations, go to The Parking Store on the City of Winnipeg website.