SPRINGFIELD — Secretary of State Jesse White called Thursday for tougher penalties for motorists who misuse disabled parking privileges.
White chose Sam Skinner, the former U.S. transportation secretary, to assess harsher penalties as part of a review of the state's overall parking program for disabled drivers and passengers.
With the backing of an advisory committee, White is asking the Legislature to increase penalties for those who misuse special window placards or license plates issued to a disabled person who has died.
He wants such violations to be misdemeanors punishable by a minimum one-year driver's license revocation and $2,500 fine. Currently, the maximum penalty is a 30-day license suspension and $500 fine — even for multiple offenders, officials said.
In addition, White is recommending that people who misuse disability placards or plates of living family members face a six-month license suspension instead of the current 30 days.
A second offense would lead to a fine of up to $1,000 and a one-year license suspension. Three or more offenses could bring a fine of up to $1,000 each and a license revocation of one year, under White's proposal
A license revocation, a harsher penalty than a suspension, requires a person to get approval at an administrative hearing before a license is reinstated.
White chose Sam Skinner, the former U.S. transportation secretary, to assess harsher penalties as part of a review of the state's overall parking program for disabled drivers and passengers.
With the backing of an advisory committee, White is asking the Legislature to increase penalties for those who misuse special window placards or license plates issued to a disabled person who has died.
He wants such violations to be misdemeanors punishable by a minimum one-year driver's license revocation and $2,500 fine. Currently, the maximum penalty is a 30-day license suspension and $500 fine — even for multiple offenders, officials said.
In addition, White is recommending that people who misuse disability placards or plates of living family members face a six-month license suspension instead of the current 30 days.
A second offense would lead to a fine of up to $1,000 and a one-year license suspension. Three or more offenses could bring a fine of up to $1,000 each and a license revocation of one year, under White's proposal
A license revocation, a harsher penalty than a suspension, requires a person to get approval at an administrative hearing before a license is reinstated.