Fines for Unattended Cars at LAX to Rise

Fines will soon quadruple to $60 for drivers who leave cars unattended curbside at Los Angeles International Airport, a spokeswoman said Thursday.

The intent is to keep traffic moving around the U-shaped terminal where cars, taxis and buses are constantly shuttling passengers to and from flight gates, airport spokeswoman Nancy Niles said.

The price increase was originally set to take effect Sunday, amid the busy Labor Day weekend. But Department of Airports spokeswoman Nancy Suey Castles said some of the legal documents necessary for the increase had not been completed, and the new fine will not take effect until “next week, or the week after that.”

Even parking and waiting at the curb for more than a couple of minutes will get you a ticket in some cases.

“It’ll be a judgment call,” Niles said.

Airport Police Chief Gilbert Sandoval said the $15 fine had not been an effective deterrent.

Goodbyes will have to be said at the curb, and Niles said those picking up arriving passengers should make sure luggage is on the curb before pulling up in front of the terminal.

Sandoval said police have been issuing about 5,000 citations a month recently.

The number of vehicles towed from terminal curbs has increased 33%, from 900 during the first six months of 1995 to 1,200 during the same period this year because of stricter enforcement, he said.