Polish city police crack down on parking fraud and wheel‑block tricks

Municipal police in Tarnów have reported drivers using inventive methods to avoid fines for illegal parking, such as swapping wheels, removing yellow wheel‑blocks, or re‑installing them on other vehicles. Chief Krzysztof Tomasik said blockages are a last resort and that violations can incur fines up to 5,000 zł, with repeated offenses sometimes resulting in vehicle towing.

In Łódź, a driver was caught using a disabled‑parking card that did not belong to him. The city guard noted, “Miał kartę parkingową… ale nie swoją,” and imposed a fine of up to 2,000 zł, an additional 800 zł penalty, and six penalty points. Authorities reminded drivers that a parking card is valid only for the person named on it, must be original and current, and may be used only when that person is in the vehicle.