N.J. to crack down on misuse of parking placards for disabled

The New Jersey Senate has given final legislative approval to a bill aimed at cracking down on the misuse of disabled parking placards.

The measure was prompted by complaints that some people who were using handicapped parking spots might not need them, according to Sen. Diane Allen, primary sponsor of the legislation.

“Quite a few people say, ‘You know, I just saw somebody and they went in and they were fine. There was no problem.’ Well, maybe, it turned out that somebody in the family needed it. Somebody else borrowed the car.

“That’s a tough one, but the very least we can do is say we’re going to look at it to make sure that it absolutely is still needed,” said Allen R-Burlington.

Allen says some people with a temporary disability who get the parking placards continue to use them even after they recover because the placards never expire.

The legislation would require them to be renewed every three years with the disability being verified by a licensed medical professional.