City wants to crack down on handicapped parking cheaters

SEATTLE -- Everybody knows how hard it is to find parking in Seattle, but have you noticed the number of handicapped parking placards hanging from rearview mirrors?

The city has –- and now they and the state are taking a hard look at who has those privileges and why.

It’s pretty clear some drivers are cheating the system, but if you have one of those placards or a disabled license plate, you get to park almost anywhere and for as long as you want for free.

The city estimates that in some neighborhoods three out of every four cars has a handicap permit.

“That is disproportional to the number that we believe should be around the neighborhood,” Cristina Van Valkenburgh with the Seattle Department of Transportation said.

There are drivers who legitimately need handicapped parking, but officials said abuse is rampant.

“There is a misuse of the parking placards,” Van Valkenburgh said.

The Department of Licensing issues more than 730,000 disabled parking permits statewide and each successful applicant can get two placards.

Parking administrators want to hear your ideas on how to cut down on the cheating -- you can send them an email at dpworkgroup@dol.wa.gov or post on our Facebook page or tweet us @q13fox.

The panel looking into this issue will make a recommendation to lawmakers on Dec. 1.