D.C.'s red top parking meters cause confusion, debate

WASHINGTON (WJLA) - After discovering some drivers were taking advantage of D.C.’s disabled parking law – using fraudulent placards to park all day for free – DDOT launched in 2012 its red top meter program, requiring disabled drivers to start paying.

After a lot of criticism and complaints, the District stopped enforcing the red top meter program. At least for now, that means anyone can park at the meters: disabled drivers can still do so for free, but to avoid a ticket able-bodied drivers must pay.

Adding to the confusion, last Fall, in the final months of the Gray administration, DDOT installed 1200 red top meters. Nearly all of them were put in Wards 2 and 6, with just a handful in other wards.

All of this pre-dates the current DDOT Director.

“Unfortunately the meters were installed before there was a statutory authority to enforce the program. So that's a big point of confusion,” said DDOT Director Leif Dormsjo.

In some cases, the new red top meters – meant for the disabled – were placed next to tree boxes and other obstacles.

“These meters were installed in a sporadic, helter skelter, actually incomprehensible manner, without any apparent rhyme or reason,” said Ward 3 Council member Mary Cheh.

New legislation introduced by Ward 2 Council member Jack Evans would restrict the meters to one per block.

But disabled Washingtonians insist more are needed. They also advocated for the bill to give DDOT flexibility to determine how many meters should be installed on a block-by-block basis.

“Is the legislation truly for people with disabilities or is it for people who aren't going to be able to park at the reserved spaces, people without disabilities?” asked disability policy advocate Carol Tyson.

Evans said his bill is meant to help the disabled, allowing D.C. to start enforcing the red top meter program and targeting fraudulent parking. He also pointed out that his bill increases the fine for illegally parking in a disabled space to $1000.

Evans added that he's open to giving DDOT flexibility to determine how many red top meters are needed per block.