Chief’s Corner
By Chief Steven J. Wojnar Dudley Police Department I recently received a question regarding disability parking placards issued by the Registry. I was asked to explain the process for renewing one that had been previously issued. What is a placard holder’s responsibilities? Disability placards and license plates are described in 540CMR17.00. Placards are special permits issued by the Registry to a specific person. Someone interested in obtaining one of these permits must complete an application and submit it to the Registry. It also must be filled out and signed by a qualified physician outlining the reason for the disability. The application is free of charge and may be issued on a temporary (Generally up to 24 month) or a permanent basis. Temporary permits apply to individuals who have possibly suffered injuries but are expected to recover. Since these are issued for a limited period, temporary permit owners must submit a new application, prior to expiration, to have it renewed. Permanent applications are issued for lifetime disabilities or chronic conditions. Since there is no requirement to further establish the presence of these physical conditions, these will renew automatically. The owner will be sent a new placard prior to expiration (hopefully). The start to finish process for this will take at minimum, 30 days, however, it can be much longer, especially during the pandemic. It is equally as important to remember to not misuse one of these permits. The fines and penalties are serious. The person who is issued the placard or plate must be present with the vehicle when it is used. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 2 calls for a first offense civil infraction of $500 for misusing a disability plate or placard. The second and subsequent offense penalty is $1,000. In addition, the person who owns the placard or plate may have it taken away. |
These spaces are in their designated locations for the convenient use of facilities for those with limited mobility. Remember to observe the laws carefully and show consideration for those individuals who need this assistance.
For those still seeking vaccination or COVID related information, it can be found at www.dudleyma.gov or by calling 508-949-8036. During these challenging times, we, at the Dudley Police Department, greatly appreciate the support we receive from our community. Thanks again for your questions and comments. Please send them to me at the Dudley Police Department 71 West Main St. Dudley, Ma. 01571 or email at swojnar@dudleypolice.com. Opinions expressed in this weekly column are those of Chief Wojnar only and unless clearly noted, do not reflect the ideas or opinions of any other organization or citizen. |
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