Washington, DC's plan to bring more handicapped-accessible parking spots to the city by installing hundreds of red-topped parking meters for the exclusive use of vehicles with handicapped plates or plaques is no more, The Washington Examiner reported.

The plan—which would have required drivers of vehicles with handicapped plates or plaques to pay to park (currently, they're allowed double the amount of time allotted for the space, and do not have to pay, Greater Greater Washington reported), but which would have made more parking spaces available for them—was voted down by the City Council earlier this month, The Examiner added.

Unfortunately, this decision came a little too late to save some money: "About 400 red-top meters are already installed in the District, at a cost of $750 each; more are in storage," The Examiner reported:

Unless the Council or administrators find a way to revive the red-top program, hundreds of red meters that were already installed on D.C. streets will probably be painted gray to match the regular meters, though District Department of Transportation spokesman John Lisle said the costs would be negligible.

Had the program been implemented, drivers without handicapped plaques or plates on their cars, but who parked in the spaces with red-topped meters, would have been issued parking tickets for $250, The Washington Examiner reported in October.

Read more on The Examiner's website.

Are you relieved that the red-topped meter program has been halted? Or, do you think it would have been helpful? Tell us in the comments.