Toronto parking ticket increases

[HighFlyer]

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20080313/parking_fine_increase_080313/20080313?hub=TorontoHome

Parking fines in Toronto tripling in price: CTV
toronto.ctv.ca

Fines for illegally parking in a fire route, handicapped zone or near a fire hydrant in Toronto are rising significantly, CTV News has learned.

Beginning Friday, the cost of the infractions are tripling in price, CTV Toronto's Alicia Kay-Markson reported.

Parking in a handicapped zone will result in a fine of $450, up from the current $150
Parking near a fire hydrant will cost $100, up from $30
Parking in a fire route will cost $250, up from between $75 and $100


I'm surprised that it's still only a measly $150 for illegally parking in a handicapped spot. IMO, $450 is still too low.... in some US cities it's $2500.

[untaka]

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20080313/parking_fine_increase_080313/20080313?hub=TorontoHome



I'm surprised that it's still only a measly $150 for illegally parking in a handicapped spot. IMO, $450 is still too low.... in some US cities it's $2500.

I'm on the other side, I'm surprised there are still forced handicapped spots and that people get charged for such things. To me its BS.

[thelefteyeguy]

the stupidity of this is that the city is not cash strapped...they have a surplus last year.

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/toronto/story.html?id=357885

[Ebola]

the stupidity of this is that the city is not cash strapped...they have a surplus last year.

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/toronto/story.html?id=357885

Hard for you to believe maybe but these raises are not primarily motivated by revenue generation.

[gherikill]

I'm on the other side, I'm surprised there are still forced handicapped spots and that people get charged for such things. To me its BS.

Nothing I hate more than seeing a able bodied person park in a handicapped or mother stop just because they have a sticker.

[Rekognize]

Saw this on the news today... what a bummer :cry:

[15-20_God]

Saw this on the news today... what a bummer :cry:

how's it a bummer? Its not going to make a difference for me.

[thelefteyeguy]

Hard for you to believe maybe but these raises are not primarily motivated by revenue generation.

it's all about revenue.

If they wanted to nip it in the butt like street racing, why not just confiscate and crush the car for handicapped parking violations?

[evolution921]

how's it a bummer? Its not going to make a difference for me.

+1

[Ebola]

it's all about revenue.

If they wanted to nip it in the butt like street racing, why not just confiscate and crush the car for handicapped parking violations?

Because that involves more cost and expense.

I said not primarily motivated by revenue. The penalties were too low, so even if people did get ticketed they wouldn't really care.

You think a $30 coupon is going to stop some well off jerk from parking somewhere? No chance.

Most penalties in life are monetarily oriented. I don't get the mindset that because you were caught breaking a law and were fined for it, that the penalty is somehow invalidated by the fact you are paying money to the city.

"It's all a cash grab". Ya.. if you break the law they grab your cash as a penalty.

Someone parking in a handicap spot without being handicapped is all about being a selfish lazy numpty. Sympathy? None.

[jeeva86]

Who will ticket ppl if you park in a handicap spot at the grocery store? Do they call the city to come over? Because most of the handicops are all on private property, no?

[iluvmikeharris]

These increases are all the more reason to always dispute a parking ticket in Toronto. The backlog alone will get you an interest free loan for a year or two at a minimum.

[professionaldude]

Good to know :cheesygri . I wouldn't park on fire route next time.

[Ten Count]

Frankly I've had it up to here with the handicaped and elderly and them wanting to have it both ways. I am willing to pay higher prices and more taxes to provided services and caregiving for them, but if they wish to impose themeselves everywhere then they should have to hunt for a good parking spot just like everyone else.

As for blocking fire hydrants & fire routes, I completely agree with higher fines. But it is an absolute outrage that fines can be increased exponentially with scarecly 8 hours notice to the public. There should be a requirement for public service announcements, no different than for an election.

[Ebola]

Frankly I've had it up to here with the handicaped and elderly and them wanting to have it both ways. I am willing to pay higher prices and more taxes to provided services and caregiving for them, but if they wish to impose themeselves everywhere then they should have to hunt for a good parking spot just like everyone else.

As for blocking fire hydrants & fire routes, I completely agree with higher fines. But it is an absolute outrage that fines can be increased exponentially with scarecly 8 hours notice to the public. There should be a requirement for public service announcements, no different than for an election.

Yeah so you can plan whether it is worth it today to block a fire route or not, right?

[Ten Count]

Yeah so you can plan whether it is worth it today to block a fire route or not, right?

No. It is because having laws and remedies which nobody knows about is a bandido, banana republic method of operating, bordering on outright scamming.

IF the *real* purpose was "Public Safety", then wouldn't the city WANT every single person to bet DETERRED from ever blocking a fire hydrant or fire route??

IF the *real* purpose was "Public Safety", wouldn't they run a prolonged mail, bilboard and advertising campaign in the hopes of persuading everyone NOT TO ever commit this infraction - for the good of public safety?

IF the *real* purpose was "Public Safety", would the city really risk 5 or 8 people burning or choking in a fire just to collect a dozen $250 fines before the word gets out in the media and cyberspace - when they might have deterred the violators by publicising the bigger fines?

[Ebola]

No. It is because having laws and remedies which nobody knows about is a bandido, banana republic method of operating, bordering on outright scamming.

IF the *real* purpose was "Public Safety", then wouldn't the city WANT every single person to bet DETERRED from ever blocking a fire hydrant or fire route??

IF the *real* purpose was "Public Safety", wouldn't they run a prolonged mail, bilboard and advertising campaign in the hopes of persuading everyone NOT TO ever commit this infraction - for the good of public safety?

IF the *real* purpose was "Public Safety", would the city really risk 5 or 8 people burning or choking in a fire just to collect a dozen $250 fines before the word gets out in the media and cyberspace - when they might have deterred the violators by publicising the bigger fines?

We are talking about it here, looks like some people pay attention.

Aside from then being ripped apart for wasting "more money" on an advertising campaign, the public was given notice. You don't like the length of the notice given, that's fine.

Everyone already knows it is illegal. Thanks to signage and public education (not schooling, through warning and such at the inception of these regulations.) That's the major word that needed to sink in, and it largely has.

However some people will always say **** it, or just say they didn't know and do it anyway. So you post a notice saying fines will increase. Great, now anyone who cares can look up the fines.

The legality of parking in these places didn't change, and there are still fines like before. Should the fine structure be made available to the public, absoluetly.

Does there need to be a mass advertising campaign on it? Not unless you are creating new parking offences or removing some offences.

[Whitedart]

Frankly I've had it up to here with the handicaped and elderly and them wanting to have it both ways.

Nice to see that your world is so perfect.

Some of us have both handicapped children, and elderly parents.

[spf1971]

No. It is because having laws and remedies which nobody knows about is a bandido, banana republic method of operating, bordering on outright scamming.

IF the *real* purpose was "Public Safety", then wouldn't the city WANT every single person to bet DETERRED from ever blocking a fire hydrant or fire route??

IF the *real* purpose was "Public Safety", wouldn't they run a prolonged mail, bilboard and advertising campaign in the hopes of persuading everyone NOT TO ever commit this infraction - for the good of public safety?

IF the *real* purpose was "Public Safety", would the city really risk 5 or 8 people burning or choking in a fire just to collect a dozen $250 fines before the word gets out in the media and cyberspace - when they might have deterred the violators by publicising the bigger fines?

It's hardly news that you're not allowed to block a fire hydrant or a fire route. This has been common knowledge for a long time now.

[hightech]

Parking in a handicapped zone will result in a fine of $450, up from the current $150
Parking near a fire hydrant will cost $100, up from $30
Parking in a fire route will cost $250, up from between $75 and $100

I think these are too low. You park near a fire hydrant or a fire route, the fine should be raised.

There is no reason to go and park at a fire route or block a hydrant.

If the hydrant is snow covered and you get a ticket, all you need to do is take a picture and dispute it. Most fire hydrants have marked poles of different colours to signify water pressure and awareness to the hazard.

[hightech]

+1

+2

Anyone who is a moron and does something this foolish deserves what they have coming!