Parking cheats, beware

New rules designed to thwart able-bodied people attempting to misuse handicap placards are set to go into effect soon, a move disabled activists hope will open up more parking spaces to those who truly need them.

On Jan. 1, the S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles will begin issuing new placards and license plates for the disabled.

The biggest change is in the hanging placards; new ones will have photos and a certificate verifying their eligibility. Existing ones (without the photo) are good until they expire or Dec. 31, 2012, whichever comes first.

"It's not something we've done before, so it will be an adjustment for many people," said Marcia Adams, the agency's director.

In 2008, Post and Courier Watchdog revealed that hospital workers, downtown merchants and others were using parking placards to cheat the city out of thousands of dollars in parking-meter revenue. People with placards can park for free in metered spaces.

The Watchdog investigation also revealed that doctors were signing off on placards for vague disabilities, and that when confronted, perfectly healthy motorists readily admitted to scamming the system to avoid paying expensive parking fees or simply to ensure they got to work on time.

Last year, state lawmakers passed the Handicap Parking Reform Act, which increased fines and required doctors to certify that people are truly disabled. The act also requires photos on new placards, which should help police better identify parking cheats.

"People think twice when their picture is on something," said Elizabeth Peterson, an activist for the disabled in Summerville.

Peterson said she hopes the new laws will open up more spaces. "So many disabled people have problems finding spaces, and when they can't, sometimes they just go home."

Under the new rules, people with expiring placards must get them recertified by their doctors. Only one photo-bearing placard will be issued per person. The DMV will use photos from people's drivers licenses or personal identification cards. The cost is $1.

Applications for the new disabled placards are available at field offices and scdmvonline.com.