Laws have changed around parking for disabled Texans over the years. Here's how it looks today.

[TexasTowelie]

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Last edited Sat Jan 13, 2024, 12:35 AM - Edit history (1)

Note: Obviously, this is a personal issue for me since I had my right leg amputated in August 2020. Even though I don't drive, sometimes I am a passenger in my brother's vehicle or I might choose to take my placard with me if I take an Uber.

In 2019, there were changes in the law that required signs to be put up on disabled parking spaces; however, when they did so it invalidated all of the disabled parking spaces that only had paint markings as out of compliance. The new law reactivates those spaces through the efforts of a Republican legislator whose spouse was disabled.

In addition to reactivating those disabled parking spaces, there are two major takeaways that the general public should be aware of:

• The new law provides for fines up to $1,250 and 50 hours community service for parking in a disabled parking spot.

• There is also a new app so that someone can take a picture of a vehicle in a disabled spot and it will be forwarded to the city which tickets the vehicle.

Therefore, if you know someone here in Texas that uses disabled parking spots to run in and out of a building, please tell them they are now vulnerable to enforcement of these laws and any citizen can report them.

There are more details regarding disabled parking access that everyone should review in light of the new laws. I am linking to a Texas Tribune article from September 2023 that provides more details such as veterans license plates and plenty of other good information:

https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/20/texas-accessible-disabled-parking/

While I can see a minimal fine and being required to take a class as to why disabled parking access is necessary for first-time offenders, the fines and community service requirements should escalate for repeat offenders (including time spent assisting the disabled and possibly having to drive the disabled around to handle their business). It might provide a valuable lesson to those who are not mobility-impaired.