Edmonton will tow more cars, issue smaller fines to enforce temporary parking bans

Your vehicle is more likely to be towed away if you ignore a temporary parking ban for street sweeping and snow clearing, but the fine you face will be smaller.

Edmonton is changing how these parking bans are enforced this summer.

“I understand the point that they’re trying to make with it, but I think that towing is not necessarily the answer,” said one Edmontonian.

Another said, “It would help out if people do park, that way you get those spots that get missed.”

The parking ban ticket is going from a $250 fine to a $100 fine if it is paid in one week.

The City is also setting aside $100,000 to put more city-owned tow trucks as they plan to move more vehicles during parking bans.

In the Westmount neighbourhood, not too far from the downtown core, Edmontonians CityNews spoke to say, for the most part, neighbours here are pretty good following the parking bans

“If it’s, like, necessary, they might move their car if they need to, but sometimes they don’t because they’re lazy,” said one Edmontonian.

Another saying, “Whenever they put the signs out, people seem to put their cars off the streets, get them so they can get the snow clearing and street sweeping done during that time.”

But city councilors say the change is meant to improve public services.

“It’s always a frustration when your road is up to be done and it’s not done properly because of parked cars on the side,” said Anne Stevenson, Councillor for Ward O-day’min.

Stevenson says towing vehicles to the next closest street not under a parking ban is the most effective way to get roads cleared.

As for the fine, she says this was reduced because the city felt it was a little too steep.

“It’s just a way to recognize the economic realities Edmontonians are facing, so not making it economically punitive, but just being more as something to help people be aware of next time,” said Stevenson.

As for the drivers, they hope this change works, but pray it isn’t their car being towed.

“You want to keep the neighbourhood tidy and give access for vehicles that come through, but with that being said, I think you got to keep in mind some people maybe work or up late, and I think towing is a little too far,” said an Edmontonian.