Jackson Heights, NY–Just because it is the holiday season when shopping malls are packed does not give drivers an excuse to park illegally in spaces that are reserved for individuals with disabilities.

United Spinal Association, a national organization whose members use a wheelchair or a scooter every day, is asking non-disabled persons not to park illegally in reserved spaces for people with disabilities.

The right to park in these spaces requires a government entity-issued permit or license tag, and penalties for parking in such spaces illegally are growing—by law up to $300 in some jurisdictions.

Most reserved parking spaces for individuals with disabilities should have a 60 inch wide access aisle. This area is adjacent to the reserved parking space, and it has a series of blue diagonal lines painted on its surface. The reason for the access aisle is to provide the person with a disability with a safe area to enter/exit the vehicle. A small number of the total of reserved parking spaces will have an above-grade “van accessible” sign, as well as an adjacent 96 inch wide access aisle to provide safe entry and exit for persons with disabilities who use accessible vans or minivans for mobility. In either case, these access aisles are a “no parking” zone for all drivers.

Reserved parking spaces for persons with disabilities also must have an accessible path of travel from the reserved parking space area to the retail establishment, whether a stand-alone shop, a strip mall, or a shopping center. To accomplish this, a ramp is provided typically at the end of the access aisle, on to the sidewalk. Non-disabled drivers are urged to keep this ramp unblocked by their vehicle.