Warda Carles receives parking fine

Warda Carles, a 45-year-old woman from Marssac-sur-Tarn who has been amputated of all four limbs, was fined 375 euros for parking on a disabled person's space in Toulouse. The fine was issued by an automated control system, which has caused issues for people with disabilities.

Fine based on unclear regulations

The fine was issued under article R417-11 of the Road Code, which penalizes "very obstructive parking on a space reserved for vehicles with a parking card for disabled people." Warda Carles had a mobility inclusion (CMI) card from the Tarn department, but it did not include the specific mention "parking for disabled people," which the city of Toulouse requires for free parking on reserved spaces.

Warda Carles struggles with the process

Warda Carles discovered the fine months after it was issued, and the amount was deducted from her current and savings accounts. She claims she was bounced between different services in her attempts to contest the fine, which she described as "making me go in circles."

City explains the fine process

The city of Toulouse explained that the CMI card must be registered in advance to be recognized by automated systems. Warda Carles visited the municipal police station, where she was informed about the difference between paid parking and obstructive parking. However, she did not appeal the fine within the 45-day legal deadline.

Automated systems cause widespread issues

The case of Warda Carles is not unique. Since 2018, automated license plate reading systems (LAPI) have been used in cities, leading to numerous complaints from people with disabilities. These systems often fail to detect the presence of a CMI card, resulting in unjustified fines.

Calls for better solutions

Pascal Kazmierczak, a disability advocate, launched a petition demanding a universal RFID badge that can be detected by LAPI vehicles. He argues that current systems create unnecessary obstacles for people with disabilities, emphasizing that the CMI-S card is a personal document, not tied to a specific vehicle.