Birmingham Looks to Address Unpaid Parking Tickets
Birmingham, Ala. – In a move aimed at improving accountability among drivers, the City of Birmingham is considering a new regulation targeting unpaid parking tickets. The city currently has an astonishing 700,000 unpaid tickets accumulated over the last decade, prompting local leaders to take action.
Proposal Overview
The Director of the Birmingham Department of Transportation, James Fowler, presented a proposal to the city council that may change how the city addresses parking violations. The new guideline suggests that drivers with three unpaid parking tickets could see their vehicles towed on their fourth violation.
During the council meeting, Fowler emphasized that the city will not actively seek out vehicles with unpaid tickets. Instead, cars would only be towed if they are illegally parked and have already accumulated three unpaid citations. “Our aim is not to create more enforcement but to encourage accountability,” he explained.
Towed Vehicles and Fees
If a car is towed under the new regulation, the owner would need to visit the Birmingham Police Department (BPD) property desk to pay the outstanding fees to retrieve their vehicle. The goal is to streamline the process for settling unpaid tickets while providing clear avenues for drivers to resolve their violations.
Out-of-Town Drivers Held Accountable
A noteworthy aspect of the proposed legislation is its focus on holding out-of-town drivers accountable as well. Fowler made it clear that if a vehicle has an out-of-town tag and receives three Birmingham-issued tickets, the driver could also have their car towed after a fourth violation. “If you are in Birmingham and you collect three Birmingham tickets, you can still have your car towed,” he said, explaining that this rule aims to ensure fairness for all drivers in the city.
Addressing Potential Loopholes
Fowler acknowledged that there may be initial inefficiencies as some drivers might attempt to evade the system by changing their tags. However, he expressed confidence that city officials could eventually close any loopholes that arise over time. “We think we can actually over time close that loophole,” he remarked.
Community Response and Next Steps
Responses from the community have varied, with some residents expressing support for the proposed rule, believing it could help maintain order in the city’s parking facilities. Others have voiced concerns about the fairness of towing vehicles, especially for infrequent visitors to Birmingham.
This proposal comes almost a year after the city implemented new, easy-to-read parking signs in all commercial lots while also announcing measures to combat predatory towing. The introduction of clearer signage and new regulations appears aimed at fostering a more user-friendly parking experience for residents and visitors alike.
Potential Implementation Date
If the Birmingham City Council approves the new ordinance, it is expected to take effect this upcoming April. As the city continues to navigate the complexities of parking regulations and enforcement, city officials are hopeful that this new measure will help in reducing the staggering number of unpaid tickets.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed about the developments concerning this proposal as the city works toward a solution that balances accountability with fairness in Birmingham’s parking practices.
