Enforcement Services Officers in Grande Prairie will be paying close attention to abandoned vehicles this month. That will be the focus of the Bylaw Enforcement Education Program for November.
Sergeant Ross Gear says a vehicle becomes abandoned if it’s left parked on the road for more than 72 consecutive hours.
“The streets were never meant to be a parking lot. The law allows for people to use our roads to park but vehicles have to be in regular use.”
“We do our best to try and contact the owners and get them moved along but if we cannot get them moved along then, unfortunately, the last option is actually to tow them,” he adds.
Gear says its especially important to make sure vehicles are off major roads when the snow starts to fall.
“If you’re on a road that is a designated road where the signs are up saying that parking is going to be enforced at certain times then make sure your vehicle is not there when the plows are coming though or our officers will be asking you to move or unfortunately writing tickets.”
Some signs of an abandoned vehicle include flat tires, expired licence plates and vehicles covered in undisturbed snow.
Drivers are also reminded that any car parked on the road needs to have up to date registration and insurance regardless of whether it’s being driven.
To report an abandoned vehicle, contact Enforcement Services at 780-830-5790.