Parking cheaters use loading-zone tags, too
The Post and Courier Watchdog's examination of handicapped parking placards brings to mind another parking peeve the newspaper investigated a couple of years ago.
So-called P-tags, which are intended for commercial vehicles such as delivery trucks and other couriers, are available to virtually anyone - even those who don't need them.
That's because the state Department of Motor Vehicles doesn't verify whether drivers who request commercial license plates actually have a legitimate business need for the parking privilege.
Anyone purporting to carry 'property' and willing to pay an extra charge for the specialty plate can get one.
In Charleston, the special license plates permit drivers to park for up to 30 minutes in loading zones.
But P-tags are often abused by drivers camping out in loading zones for hours on end, blocking legitimate deliveries and causing congestion on narrow city passages such as King Street.
The misuse can make for some comical juxtapositions: Like the tiny Mazda Miata spotted in a downtown loading zone, sporting the commercial tags that read 'TRUCK.'
One King Street business owner who contacted Watchdog says the abuse of P-tags remains a problem.
He's tired of seeing delivery drivers forced to work twice as hard to deliver their cargo when drivers with no commercial purpose abuse P-tags to find convenient parking in loading zones.
'I am constantly witnessing certain people in luxury SUVs that sport commercial tags park in these spots and saunter in to Saks for an afternoon of shopping.
'Meanwhile, legitimate commercial vehicles have to double-park and stall traffic,' he said.
It's unclear if the state has done anything to close the loophole because DMV officials did not return telephone messages and e-mails from the newspaper seeking an update on the issue.
Reach Ron Menchaca at rmenchaca@postandcourier.com or 937-5724.
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Comments
bvfd271 (anonymous) says...
My suggestion to remedy the problem of having "truck" tags on automobiles and the owner parking in loading zones,simply call 911 and have the CPD or jurisdictional police agency respond,and ticket the vehicle.Also i suggest the Buisness owner who's loading dock is blocked,also call the police and request the vehicle be towed,I am sure the police will do so.
May 26, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
novwed (anonymous) says...
bvfd271-
911 is for emergencies only. If you want to call the police regarding a parking issue, call the admin number 577-7434. Too many people call 911 for non-emergencies.
May 26, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JC (anonymous) says...
Its kind of like handicapped placards/plates issued to people who don't really need them, the police can't do anything because by law it was issued to them so they can use it. Same with the P tags. Although it was issued under false statement by the applicant, it's still a legal plate.
May 26, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mcdian (anonymous) says...
When we don't inforce the boarder stoping the influx of criminals, how can we expect anyone to obey any other laws including the parking laws.
May 26, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
algorelost (anonymous) says...
Just close the loop hole for P-Tags. Otherwise it is worth it to people to pay the small fee for the tags to get free parking.
May 26, 2008 at 6:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollo (anonymous) says...
"P-Tags" are charged by weight, the tag on my stepvan costs more than a month of commercial insurance. Perhaps the legislature should add a consideration for weight of the vehicle and payload capacity in evaluating this issue of who qualifies.
In any case, if someone considers the added expense of the "P-Tag" to be worthwhile, they will find a way to pay the extra and justify the tag. Increasing the fees will only add to the price for the end consumer.
May 26, 2008 at 7:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollo (anonymous) says...
Thinkin' a little further, What about interior decorators who have "P-Tags"? They often deliver materials and services to downtown businesses and residences within a schedule, and need to just jump out of the vehicle, run in for 20-30 mins. and run to the next project.
To any of you decorators who might think this means I'm going sympy, Forget that!
May 26, 2008 at 8:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
retirednavy (anonymous) says...
Call 911......you gotta be kidding.
May 27, 2008 at 5:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollo (anonymous) says...
Rumors and innuendo, what a scam of a way to make a living!
Ron, why not take a camera down to SAKS and gather some evidence? Oh, yeah, you'd have to get off your rear-end and leave the A/C for a few hrs.
You've no story without evidence, and you have 0 for evidence.
May 27, 2008 at 11:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollo (anonymous) says...
And then there are those "MG Tags" which seem to permit parking wherever the vehicle stops.
May 27, 2008 at 11:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
focus (anonymous) says...
P-Tags mean nothing. The City should issue tickets if they are not actively loading or unloading.
June 1, 2008 at 6:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dustym59 (anonymous) says...
Charlestonian's cant even elect a damn new mayor...sit down there and shut up about the tags...they aint hurtin ya like your mayor ...and ya'll dont seem to mind the screwing ya take from him....baah baah little sheep...baah baah
June 14, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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