If you’re circling the block downtown and happen upon one of the scarce open on-street parking spots, be sure to check the color of the parking meter. If it’s red and you’re not handicapped, it’s not the place for you to park.

As of last week, the city started enforcing parking restrictions at the new red top meters, which are reserved for drivers with disabilities. Currently, there are some 400 of the meters downtown and around federal building in Southwest D.C., but the Post’s Dr. Gridlock reports that the D.C. Department of Transportation wants to add another 1,100 of these meters by mid-April. Once they’re all installed and functional, the red top meters will account for nine percent of all metered parking spots in the city.

If you’re a handicapped driver, the red top spots are reserved for you, though you still have to pay. If you’re not and you park there anyhow, you’ll owe $250. Of course, some skeptics doubt the program’s intentions, arguing that the city is upping the number of red top meters only so they can slap more motorists with more tickets.

In related news, today is the day that the District will start enforcing street-sweeping rules. If you’re parked on the side of a street on a day that it’s going to be swept, don’t expect the friendly warnings you’ve gotten over the last two weeks.