Tow cars parked in disabled spaces, says advocacy group

P.E.I. needs better enforcement around the use of disabled parking spaces, says the P.E.I. Council of People with Disabilities.

Executive director Marcia Carroll told CBC News enforcement is especially important in winter, when many drivers want a spot closest to the door.

"People need to know that the designated spots are for permit holders only and they need to respect that and honour that," said Carroll.

"We believe more effective enforcement needs to happen there needs to be stricter fines and people's cars need to be towed away but that's not what happens on P.E.I. if you park in a blue spot. You get a ticket and you can go pay it and that's the end of it."

Carroll said other provinces have much harsher fines for drivers who use disabled parking spaces without the proper permits, as high as $500. In P.E.I. fines range from $25 to $50.

It's an issue Carroll's organization has talked about with various levels of government for years now, but she doesn't expect the problem to go away unless there are harsher penalties.

Carroll said parking lot owners can also help by making sure snow is cleared so people see the blue paint that marks the spots.

For mobile device users: Should there be harsher penalties on P.E.I. for people who park in disabled spaces?