N.Y.C. Takes Steps to Stop Parking Placard Abuse

Joe Anuta writes that the de Blasio administration has plans to crack down on abuse of city-issued parking placards. Placards are currently laminated cards that can be duplicated, and enforcement of parking regulations has been lax because police officers do not want to write citations for other city employees.

"A replacement system called Pay-by-Plate will be rolled out in 2021 and will allow traffic enforcement agents to scan a license plate and immediately determine whether the owner has a valid placard, is authorized to park in the spot and even if the meter has been paid," says Anuta.

However, critics say the best solution would be to reduce the number of placards significantly. Currently, about 125,000 placards have been issued for 10,000 parking spaces. Placard users often park in and block bike and bus lanes, impeding traffic and adding to congestion throughout the city.