A MAJOR part of Massachusetts has stunned local drivers by hiking up parking fines by 100%.
Car owners living in Barnstable, located in Cape Cod, have seen fines rapidly increase from the start of the year – rising from $100 to $200.
GettyCape Cod drivers have been taken back by the sudden rise in parking fines in the area[/caption]
GettyIn some cases, fines have risen from $100 to $200[/caption]
GettyFines for other parking violations have also increased from $40 to $50[/caption]
These fines, which can be handed out for parking in accessible spaces, access aisles, and fire lanes, have been made to improve public safety and compliance, according to Town Manager Mark Ells.
What’s more, fines for other parking violations have also increased from $40 to $50 “to encourage adherence to parking regulations across the community.”
Parking Manager Peter Bertling, who proposed the increases, said the goal is “always to encourage better compliance with parking regulations without resorting to fines,” but stricter enforcement is sometimes necessary.
Bertling noted that the previous range of fines had not been updated since 2016, despite higher demand on the parking system.
He said: “These changes are a reasonable step to ensure fairness and financial sustainability.”
The new fines align with a 2017 parking study recommendation and regional standards, ensuring they remain an effective deterrent.
Operational costs and regional comparisons were considered in the decision.
The increased fines help cover rising costs and support the town’s Disability Commission, which receives 50% of handicap parking fine revenue.
Bertling added: “Raising fines to $200 not only deters these offenses but also supports the town’s Disability Commission.”
Ticket statistics show a rise in 2022, largely due to increased citations at Bismore Park.
In 2024, 6,414 parking tickets were issued, compared to 3,659 in 2020.
This comes as New York police have begun to crack down on drivers using a sneaky trick to bypass the new congestion pricing toll program in the city.
New York‘s controversial new charge came into effect earlier this month and forces drivers to fork out $9 to access the busiest parts of the city during peak hours.
But in recent days, the NYPD has reportedly stopped several drivers who tried to cover parts of their license plates to avoid the charge.
According to ABC7 NY, 82 summonses were issued during the NYPD Congestion Zone Enforcement Operation – including 29 for improperly covered license plates.
And in Minnesota, motorists are fuming over an extra yearly fee for beloved specialty license plates.
The state launched blackout license plates last year, which feature white letters and numbers over a black background.
The specialty plates have proved to be popular as the Minnesota Department of Vehicle Services requested 256,387 blackout plates last year.
However, people who buy the plates are required to make a minimum annual contribution to the DVS.
The plates cost an extra $30 each year, along with a one-time transfer fee costing $5, leaving drivers to share their disappointment with the optional cost.
One Facebook user wrote that when he found out the fee went to the state, he said, “no thanks.”
https://www.the-sun.com/motors/13281651/parking-fine-rise-massachusetts-cape-cod/