Parking Ticket Fines Are Boosted Across Los Angeles County : Traffic control: A meter violation will now cost $18, up from $13. City officials hail the action in the battle to ease congestion.

Motorists who fail to put enough change in the meter and those who dare park in the red zone will pay more dearly for their hasty decisions. As of Friday, fines on three parking violations were boosted throughout Los Angeles County, officials said.

Meter violations have been increased from $13 to $18; parking in a red zone went from $28 to $53, and parking illegally in a handicapped zone jumped from $53 to $103. Fines not paid within 44 days of the ticket’s issuance will double, officials added.

The Los Angeles Municipal Court decided in August to raise parking fines throughout the county, according to Jose Pellez, senior manager of the court’s traffic division. Los Angeles city officials hailed the action as timely and necessary in the battle to improve traffic conditions.

“While this action was not initiated by the city, it underscores the importance of our continuing efforts to alleviate traffic congestion in Los Angeles,” Mayor Tom Bradley said. “The increased . . . fines will hopefully be a deterrent to those who do not adhere to the parking rules of this city.”

Bradley initiated a traffic mobility plan in June, 1987, which includes an effort to cut rush-hour truck traffic on main roadways by 70%. A truck reduction ordinance is currently being drafted by the city attorney.

Although a city parking enforcement official expressed doubt that the stiffer fines would greatly diminish the number of parking violations, he added that such measure could not hurt.

“I don’t think it will be very noticeable to us as far as enforcement is concerned,” said Kaye Beechum, parking enforcement manager for the city of Los Angeles. “But every little bit helps.”