SC to add photo ID to disability parking placards

Posted: Updated:

By Don Logana - bio | email

BLUFFTON, SC (WTOC) - South Carolina has some new rules come the new year. One effects disabled drivers, but is targeting the people who may abuse the use of disabled parking placards, intended to help the disabled, but used by others.

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles hopes photo IDs will free up disabled parking spaces for people who really need them.

Disabled parking spots are supposed to be for disabled drivers, like Bill and Earlene Cavanaugh, who just moved to South Carolina.

The Cavanaughs have had their disabled parking placard for five years, but disabled parking can be hard to find.

"Particularly this time of year with a lot of shoppers," Cavanaugh told WTOC.

South Carolina is trying to make sure the people who need the special parking get those coveted spots.

As of January 1, 2010, they are putting in place a photo ID on all new disability placards to weed out the disabled from those who, some might say, are just plain lazy.

"It's a good idea," Cavanaugh said. "I use the striped parking lots and people park in there without a sticker or license plate, just because it was close."

People who have a current disability parking decal can use their old one until it expires, then pay $1 for the new photo ID placard.

"I think it's used a lot by family members and people who really aren't handicapped," Jean Carloni told WTOC. "The placard goes with the person not the car, so I think it will be a good idea."

Carlino likes it and so does the DMV, which hopes the ID system for placards will identify who is disabled.

The Cavanaughs think the idea will work too. "It will cut down on illegal users," he said.

The South Carolina DMV says there is no extra charge for the photo ID for the disabled parking placards. They are still $1 but will add your driver's license picture to the decal.