~ Handicapped Parking Abuse, Disabled and Health Related ~ (sticker, get out of, wife)

[2goldens]

Let's discuss Handicapped Parking Abuse here.

[happynoodleboycey]

It's bad.

[/thread]

[Roaddog]

I see it all the time, people who have the plate but it's probably because of a family member, they take a space and there is nothing wrong with them, I think it shows a very self centered person to do such a thing.
I was in a wheelchair for a year and had a hanicapped plate but very seldoom used it.

[happynoodleboycey]

In all seriousness though, looks can be misleading. I have a friend who has Multiple Sclerosis and when she's on a good day she looks like a perfectly ordinary, able-bodied person. If the MS attacks though then she can go from being able to function normally to hardly being able to walk in an instant. As a result, she has to park in handicapped bays even on good days (she does have a sticker so it's all authorised) but if someone saw her then they might think that she isn't disabled. You do have to be careful about jumping to conclusions about people simply based on their outward appearance.

If someone is genuinely able-bodied and is just parking in the handicapped bay because they're too lazy and/or arrogant to think they have to walk an additional 50 yards like everyone else, however, then they should have the book thrown at them. In my opinion, a hefty fine and a temporary driving ban should be imposed unless they have a hell of a good excuse.

[sun queen]

I think the MVD give those decals to anyone who asks. I see people with decals hanging from their mirror then they get out of the car and sprint into the store with a "gottcha suker" grin. I wonder why they have these decals, but just as quick I remind myself it is non of by business. Don't sweat the small stuff.

[malfunction]

Originally Posted by happynoodleboycey

It's bad.

[/thread]

You know, I could not possibly have said it better myself. Actually, there's so much ignorance out there, especially people selfish enough to "jockey for position" by parking as close as possible to a building, whether they stay a few minutes or a few hours. That's the biggest problem of all, in my book. Ignorance. It's too rampant.

[BrianH]

I live in a small town of 2000 people and for the first time somebody got fined for parking in a spot! Got a nice $400 fine too. I was shocked to see it happen in such a town. People getting punished that is, not doing the deed.

[Tek_Freek]

We have a tendency to park "out" for the exercise. Keeps the door dings down, too. This will change at some point. My Polio (pretty much 100% recovery at age 4) will get even with me as I get older. So my gauge will be how far away I can comfortably park and then, finally, get a sticker.

A fair punishment for someone using these spots, in addition to an obnoxiously high fine, would be a broken leg or two. Give them a taste of why they shouldn't do that..

[studedude]

I had an interesting situation at RT66 Dragway. My wife had gone to the track with my son. He was working the event and could park inside the pit area. She was riding around on her electric scooter and was coming home with me. I arrived and parked her car in a handicap spot and put her sticker in the window. Parking in the muddy lot about 3/4 of a mile away and driving her scooter there was not an option. The State Police at the event ran the number on the sticker and determined it was not issued to me. I had to call her and have her drive her scooter there and show her DL to avoid a $500.00 fine. I was going to call her and meet her somewhere anyway but the parking lot was not my first choice.