Handicap parking rant

[Rock77]

If there is one thing that frost my rear end it is people using a handicap tag to park when it is obvious that the person using the handicap parking spot are not the one for which it was issued.

It is pretty damn easy to observe when some twenty or thirty year old comes dancing out of the vehicle moving at warp speed that this person sure is not handicap physically; mentally is another issue altogether.

This situation and its consequences are demonstrated in the following experience I had last week.

I was at the store picking up some odds and ends and had checked out and was at my car unloading my cart when I observed something that shocked me, a women was coming down the parking lot from the store using a walker and dragging a cart along with her. I walked toward her and asked if I could please help her with the cart, she answered that it would be greatly appreciated.

I observed that she had a stump on her right leg above the knee and was resting it on the seat of her walker and hopping along on her good leg. I unloaded her groceries into the trunk of her car and then helped her into her car; I folded up her walker and placed it into the back seat.

She asked me to come over to the car and she gave me a nice hug and told me how kind I was, it made me sad to think that a simple act of kindness should elicit that kind of response.

I returned the cart and walked into the store and searched out the manager who I know very well, I chewed on him a little about his box people not helping out someone and assisting their customer to their car. He was upset about what I had observed and told me it will not happen again.

And of course when walking back to my car I see a young women rush by me and stop her cart at the closest handicap spot and begins to unload her bags, I commented to her that it would be real nice if she reserved those spots for people that really need them, she told me it was none of my business, I told her I just helped a women with one leg struggle across half the parking lot who could have really used that spot.

I told her she ought to be ashamed of herself and that her self-centered attitude and lack of concern for her fellow man is despicable and part of what is wrong with this country.

I realize that nothing I said will have any effect on this young woman however; it made me feel better to let her know what a lowlife someone thinks she is.

 

[sophie]

We have 4 volunteers here in our town that are authorized by the Police to write tickets for this very thing.
They had them on the news a few months back an as it turns out I know two of them that write the tickets.
The fine for violation of the handicap parking here is about $250.00 if they catch them.
Good for them.

_________
James

 

[bitstream]

I understand the sentiment completely, but do take care. There are some people who have those slots who might not appear like they need them, but do. Some people have no symptoms one day, but do on another day. It's just hard to know by simply looking.

Another thing, I've been with my Mom (she has a placard and needs it for a few genuine reasons) when out. I've ran out to get the car and drive it up so she can get in at the door instead of walking the extra (short) distance to the handicapped spot. If somebody were to be watching, they'd see me, an obviously able bodied man, apparently using the spot improperly, but that wouldn't be true.

Yes, those spots are seriously abused by jerks, but be sure before you accuse.

 

[Rock77]

It has been my experience that if you observe for a small period of time you can detect if someone is struggling to move about. Individuals with serious heart and asthma issues are not bounding around like a gazelle in lion country.

The young woman that I observed was moving fast and was unloading several large cases of water into her SUV like they weighed two pounds; she was obviously fit from her appearance. In this case if it looks like a duck and quakes like a duck it is a duck.

 

[David LaPell]

I can tell you that part of my job on my light duty is to watch the cameras and see who comes in for the weekend visitations at the jail and nearly every single weekend some troll parks in the first slot which is clearly marked handicapped. We spot them and tell them to move their car. Now keep in mind this is in the parking lot of a sheriff's department. If they don't care about doing it there, then how many of them are willing to do it at Walmart or somewhere's else? I have no use for someone who thinks so little of those spots and the people who need them and can't take the time to walk a little farther.

 

[blujax01]

$400 fine in Ohio for parking in a reserved space without a placard.
They have started giving placards out to fat people. I have a hard time agreeing with that.

 

[FordTruckGuy]

Rock 77, I agree. Good job IMO.

 

[moosedog]

That was one of my favorite tickets to write.

 

[mkk41]

Well , due to a severely injured and reconstructed left leg , I have a handicap tag. Somedays , I can barely walk on it and use a cane , somedays I have very little effect other than a noticable limp. I try not to use the handicap spots when I'm walking OK.
And yes , it does tick me off when I see someone park in a handicap spot and sprint away. I've even asked a few, "Is your handicap mental?"

Ironically , I once got a ticket for using a handicap spot. Didn't have the tag yet , but I did have a full leg cast and was on crutches. Female cop saw me , but said since I didn't have the tag , I was getting a ticket. Judge tossed it though.

 

[Deacon KC]

I was at Best Buy and saw the manager come out and tell a mope in the handicapped spot to get out of there and never come back. He got applause from a whole parking lot full of people who then went in and spent a little more [I was one of them].

 

[mkk41]

Yeah , there's supposed to be a fine for fraudulant use. PA does issue an ID card along with the tag and only the person to whom it's issued is supposed to be able to use handicapped parking.

 

[oneyeopn]

I am a 100% disabled vet and in our area it is not just the young people but it seems like everyone does it and law enforcement doesnt do anything. I get so mad, but even when I say something alot of the time the just ignore me or dont speak english..Keep On Ranting!!!

 

[chud333]

I'm with the OP on this one. My brother was a parapalegic and he needed these spots as he was in a wheelchair. It never ceased to
amaze me when i went with him somewhere in his car "Hand controls"
and he would struggle to find a spot to park. Always had to stuggle to find a place to park due to lazy idiots with no Handicap tags parking in these spots. More than once i wanted to "key" a lincoln or lexus with no tag in these spots. I always managed to control my temper thanks to my brothers good nature. He would calm "me" down and patiently circle the lot until he could park. There is a lady who i work with who also uses these spots at our facility. She has no handicap whatsoever and drives a truck with Handicap plates because her husband is disabled. I've refrained from scolding her about the practise because i know what my brother would have told me. "Don't worry about it, i'll find one here in a little bit". RIP Donnie...Love you and miss you bud.

 

[35Rem]

You can't SEE all legitimate handicaps. I have a sister-in-law that has a ruined back and a bad leg from a compound fracture, both due to a stop sign runner while she were on a motorcycle. She needs it, is young, and doesn't look like she needs it. Most days a re "good" days.

Don't judge by looks. And, yes, it's not your business. Sorry.

 

[haggis]

I had to use a handicapped tag for about 6 months after my knee replacement, and I started paying attention to the low class jerks that do this. Police in our area have jurisdiction in parking lots. A cell phone call to the non-emergency number usually gets a quick response and ticket for the self-important idiot that violates this law.

People with legitimate handicaps can get handicap tags and plates. People that don't have them don't belong in the reserved spots. I think that abuse of the spaces punishes people with real handicaps, and I will make it my business to intervene, no matter who doesn't like it.

Buck

 

[perrazi]

i have had a handicapped tag for many years and need it. i always thought if you have a hcp. tag,you should be able to write a $500 ticket to those who choose to ignore the blue and white sign.

 

[JcMack]

I have the perfect solution for you, next time it happens call the police. It's a $350 fine now in Illinois. http://www.handicappedfraud.org

I believe some of the increased pressure on handicapped violators was initiated in Chicago. From what I understand handicapped can park in metered spaces for free. A lot of revenue is lost downtown due to phonied up handicapped window tags. 1st violations get you fined, second get you towed.
I've got peripheral neuropathy and it's affecting the way I walk. I used to park way out in no man's land in the parking lots when I go shopping just to exercise my legs. I had to give in and get handicapped plates about a year ago. I go shopping when necessary before 8am. If I go any later not only are the lots full but all the handicapped spots are full. I can't believe the amount of young people screwing up their lives by being morbidly obese.

 

[raisedin99]

An acquaintance of many years who was a carpenter by trade was injured on the job and lost the use of his right hand ( he is right handed ) and is disabled under Ohio workmans compensation, has a disability placard and takes advantage of the handicapped spaces.

Anyone care to explain to me how on earth his right handed disability can qualify him for legal handicap parking?

terry

 

[medxam]

What I dislike are the motorcycle riders that have a permanent Handicap Tag on their bikes and take up a full van spot and charge off their bikes to buy a case of beer at the local grocery store. My wife is disabled and I use our placquard if she is going into the store, but never if it is just me!

medxam

 

[Marshwheeling]

My bad knees and overweight (could they be related?) would probably get me a handicap sticker if I wanted one, but I don't. I figure the walk will do me good, even on the days when every step hurts.

I have shed a few pounds recently, and bought some shoes with decent support, so the knees aren't bothering me as much. The places I park, I walk past a lot of empty handicap spaces, and some days they look pretty appealing, but as I said, the walk does me good.

Since I don't use the spaces, I don't pay much attention to who is using them, but it has never struck me that a lot of people use them who shouldn't.