Errant Drivers Will Dig Deeper to Pay New Illegal Parking Fines

Drivers beware: If you park too long in Portland, be ready to pay a hefty fine. An $8 increase — from $16 to $24 — went into effect Monday, the first time in nearly eight years that overtime parking violations have gone up.
The Multnomah County Circuit Court also increased fines for other parking violations. 
But even with the boost in fines, Portland remains below the average of $34 for comparable cities, according to a study of 14 major cities in the U.S. Some safety violation fines will increase from $40 to $50; others from $40 to $60 or $70. While the new fine amounts for safety violations are above the average, city officials say this increase is important to minimize these violations.
The Portland Office of Transportation recommended the increase to address the trend of rising parking violations.
City Commissioner Sam Adams, who oversees transportation office, said those who park overtime negatively impact others' safety, mobility, access and neighborhood livability.
Parking enforcement also is a key element for the business community to ensure that both its customers and its suppliers have access to a merchant's business location, Adams said.
When a vehicle is parked in a no parking zone, several serious consequences may result, Adams noted. The vehicle might hinder visibility for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists; limit safe clearance for turning vehicles; impede traffic flow; and slow emergency response vehicles, he noted.
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