The city of Gallatin has made some changes in its parking spaces and signs recently that may be a little confusing to visitors until the transition is complete.
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The changes occurred in order to comply with legislation signed last summer by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon as well as new city ordinances.
The governor’s law requires that one out of every four disabled accessible parking spaces be "lift van accessible." This means the space must have a 96-inch-wide lane set aside next to it to provide room for the lift.
The city ordinances have changed in response to specific requests for "van accessible" parking spaces. For instance, at the Active Aging Resource Center has asked for such a parking space to accommodate the OATS bus lift.
Under the new law, even motorists who have disabled access tags for their cars can be fined if they park in a lift van accessible space.
Spots specifically designed for handicap vans must have a "van accessible" sign. Five of the city signs presently read "Reserved Parking." This was a misprint. The city will go back and post a handicapped sign featuring the international handicap symbol — a stylized figure in a wheelchair. This sign must stand at a height above that of a regular car so pedestrians and fellow drivers can see the sign at all times.
A regular handicap parking sign indicates that a spot is reserved for a person with a disability who has been issued a special permit to park in such spots. Unlike a handicap bathroom stall, for example, a handicap parking spot is always off-limits to non-disabled people: They cannot park there even if no disabled people are present.
Gallatin Police Chief Mark Richards estimates that the number of handicap-accessible parking spots has doubled in the downtown area.
In order to park in a handicap spot, you must have a special permit issued by your state’s bureau of motor vehicles. Permits can be placards that you hang from your window or mirror or special license plates. People with placards must display their placards in a visible place to avoid a ticket. Note that non-disabled drivers are allowed to park in handicap-accessible spots as long as they are with a passenger who has a valid disability and permit.
If you do not have a handicap parking permit and park in a handicap-accessible spot, you are subject to a ticket.
Chief Richards said the Missouri Attorney General is asking that the new laws be actively enforced. Fines can range from $50 to $500.