From commercial corridors to neighborhoods, Dallas streets are often more cluttered with cars than they should be. But there’s a proposed rule that might improve the picture, and we hope the City Council will approve it after the July recess.
Members of the council’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee last month discussed an ordinance that would require vehicle owners parking on Dallas streets to have valid registration and license plates — or else face a fine up to $500.
The proposed ordinance would apply when a vehicle’s registration has been expired for two months or longer and when a temporary license plate has been expired for more than 30 days. That gives residents a grace period to keep up with car registration.
Revenue from the fees would go into the city’s general fund, city spokeswoman Brenda Saldaña said. The ordinance would be enforced by Dallas police, the city Marshal’s Office and the parking enforcement department, this newspaper reported.
It’s good to see the city paying attention to Dallas’ parking problems. Apart from this proposal, the City Council recently approved an updated on-street parking plan that will help entertainment districts.
People who are delinquent on registering their cars, trying to sell a car or running an unlicensed repair shop add car clutter throughout the city. This invites car theft and makes parking more difficult and driving on those roads more dangerous for the rest of us.
At a public meeting, council member Cara Mendelsohn described issues with leaking fluids from vehicles in disrepair. That’s a public nuisance and an environmental hazard.
An ordinance that helps the city keep its streets from becoming junkyards will also make those streets more pleasant places for pedestrians.
A memo attached to the proposed ordinance says the city’s transportation department receives many complaints about cars parked without registration or proper license plates.
When residents complain about unregistered vehicles or those without proper license plates parked on the street, they often assume that the owners of these vehicles are breaking the rules by parking there, Saldaña said. As of today, that’s a reasonable but incorrect assumption. This ordinance would change that to make it illegal within Dallas city limits.
It’s hard enough to find parking in Dallas streets as is. The city should close this gap in the rules to help clean up its roads.
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