Parking permits

[Bushmaster]

This is an issue that really frosts my wheaties.
How do you folks feel about people that abuse the handicapped parking permits.
How often do you see somebody thats more than able to walk across a parking lot abuse the handicapped parking thats set-up to ease others burdens that are more in need ?
I personally feel that people that abuse is should have their cars booted and towed w/o question.

[Theophylact]

Well, there are lots of people whose handicaps are not so visible as a wheelchair or a walker. Heart problems can make walking even short distances quite difficult. And many people who are legally blind have a handicapped tag for the person who drives the car.

I get riled, too, by people who don't have a handicapped tag parking in a handicap space.

[Epidemic]

Theo although you are technically correct that someone’s malady may not be apparent. My non-scientific study analysis is partially correct. I see all too many people who are not only what you would call walking in but walking with a spring to their step.

I am also somewhat frosted by the number of handicapped spaces at many institutions, which remain empty during even the most crowded of events. Then the few people who do park "legally" Bound from their car like Saint Nick.

I have no problem giving a little perk like that to someone who has been challenged by life. But when my pregnant wife with two little ones can't get within 100 yards of a building because of the huge unfilled void of little blue wheelchair spots it irks me.

I don't know what the answer is but I would first start by having police challenge the more agile appearing HC people and ticketing them for falsely acquiring the tag when appropriate

I would like to give them the jim carrey (me myself and Irene) treatment. But only the guilty ones.

[Chuckiechan]

What I don't like is someone using their spouses permit when they are able bodied. They should be on the honor system to park in the south 40 like the rest of us.

I did see parking for "Seniors Only" at a Longs drug in Santa Rosa, CA. Clever idea! Not enforceable, but who want's to argue with grandma!

[originel]

What I don't like is someone using their spouses permit when they are able bodied.

that's what really gets me

once when i was at fry's...i saw a ferrari 550 maranello with a handicapped tag parked in a space...while it is entirely possible...i still am a little skeptical (those cars are rather difficult to get in and out of for a normal person)

[Bob The Great]

I don't really care myself. I always park way out where nobody else is parked anyway, and run in. If I had a wife that was pregnant I would get a close in space though. I wouldn't be annoyed about someone with a tag. I mean they have a tag for SOME reason. Maybe they are just running an arend for the person who has the ticked but they need to get back quick to help the person. You never know, and so I don't think it would be a good thing to get mad at them.

I know people who get the handicapped tags for their elderly parents and grandparents and use them for themselves.

It bothers me.

[M_Six]

Most places I go to have more handicap spaces than they need. So it bugs me to see a handicap stickered car NOT parked in a handicap spot. It's like they're taking two spots; the handicap one that I can't park in but they can, and the one they're parked in when they should be in the reserved spot. Same goes for spaces reserved for parents with kids. If there are such spots in a lot, and you're a parent with kids, USE THE SPACE. Don't take up a space someone else could be using.

[caddmannq]

Yes this is a shame. Some people only think of themselves.
But it brings up a funny story....

A friend of mine has a wooden (well, plastic) leg. It's somewhat painful, and he hobbles a little, but it's hard to tell for the casual observer. He drives an old mustang & has a handicapped sticker.

One day he took me to the Auto parts store, and we parked in a handicapped zone. As we got out of the car and started walking in we were accosted by an older lady with an attitude, from about 30 feet away.

"Well whats wrong with you guys that you have to park in a handicapped space?!?" She wasn't nice about it at all...

My friend grabbed through his jeans, and freed the velcro that keeps his leg on. Then he kicked his hollow leg out sharply in the lady's direction, and it flew about 12 feet and hit the ground right in front of her.

I thought the old broad was gonna keel over right there

[angelcat]

Speaking from the other side of the 'sticker', they are a great thing for someone who has mobility issues. As a good portion of you know by now, I have to use a wheelchair when I have to go long distances, but I can walk, but after a couple of hundred feet, I cannot go on, I have to sit. Now, when I go shopping, or whatever, in large stores, those spaces are a life saver.

Many years ago, I made the mistake of using a handicap space, and got a fine for it, and now I know exactly why those spaces are for.

As for those of you with pregnant wifes (girlfriends, or whatever), did you know that they may be able to get a temporary handicap permit? Ask your doctor about it.

Now, as for the rest, do you have, or have you ever had a cracked hip? or even a ruptured disk in your back? Trust me, they do tend to limit your walking distances quite severely.

Yes, I have a permanent parking permit, and I am grateful for it........