Handicapped Parking Awareness Month – June 2013

Submitted release 

The Simsbury Board of Selectmen has designated June 2013 Handicapped Parking Awareness Month. This is the second year the Board of Selectmen in conjunction with the Simsbury Aging and Disability Commission continues its educational campaign to inform residents about the rules for using a handicapped parking space. Citizens have come forward to voice their concerns to the Aging and Disability Commission about the difficulties people with disabilities experience in parking around our town.

Over the past year, there have been new signs posted and parking spaces painted to clearly mark the handicapped parking space in town. A handicapped parking space is for people with disabilities, so if one does not have a permit, placard, or handicapped license plate, do not park in this ‘reserved’ space. Commission members have observed cars even with a handicapped license plate or a placard not following the proper rules of parking. In addition, local businesses have been advised on not to use the handicapped parking space for delivery trucks.

An access aisle is the striped area next to the parking space and is strictly off limits for parking to everyone, regardless of whether or not they have a handicapped license plate or placard. The access aisle must be in place in order to ensure that people who use wheelchairs have room to transfer in and out of their vehicles. Only the handicapped parking space itself is reserved for those individuals who have proper identification on their vehicles (i.e. placards, tag, or plate) indicating that they are authorized to park in these designated areas. The access aisle or striped area next to the parking space is N OT a parking area.

Parking in a handicapped parking space …is 60 seconds too long, if you are not a person with disabilities!

Citizens who see violations of handicapped parking space should report it to the Simsbury Police Department by calling the routine number (860) 658-3100. The Simsbury Police Department supports the efforts of Simsbury Aging and Disability Commission in educating the public. Fines can be imposed in the range of $50 to $150 for violation of handicapped parking regulations.