From My View

Even though people have read and know about one of my main pet peeves, I feel the subject of abusing disabled parking should be revisited for this first blog installment. 

            It’s a simple fact people, when you illegally park in a space reserved for people with disabilities, you are breaking the law, yes even if it’s “just for a minute”.    Come on face it, be truthful with yourself, it takes much more than a minute to go in a store, find what you want and checkout.  REALLY!

            Sadly, a lot of abuse occurs by people who “borrow” the blue placards or disabled plates from a friend or family member so they can park close to the doors of businesses.  Some believe if they are shopping for a friend or family member it is OK to do so.  The truth is people must have a mobility impairment and be present with the vehicle using the blue placards or disabled license plates to use these spaces.  For instance, if Uncle Joe has a valid, blue placard, Aunt Sue is not allowed to use the blue placard unless Uncle Joe is going to be with her.  Now I know there are conditions that may not be visible to the naked eye such as a heart condition.  But there is nothing more frustrating than seeing a blue placard in a car and 3 or 4 people hop, skip, and jump into a store.  Believe me, these people do not have a heart condition or mobility impairment.  They borrowed or stole Uncle Joe’s blue placard! 

            There are necessary requirements to obtain a permit to park in designated disabled parking spaces.  If you have a walking disability, lung or heart condition, you may qualify for a disabled license plate or placard.  Of course these conditions must be verified by your physician using a form provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles.   You should be aware that local officials have pledged a “zero tolerance policy” and will be enforcing this law by giving out tickets for this offense – so watch out.

            I will be nice and give you a heads up of 4 things to remember which will help you stay out of trouble and keep from getting a ticket:

1.  Disabled people must be with the vehicle.  Family and friends are not allowed to use a disabled plate or placard to park in disabled parking spaces.

2.  Be courteous.  These spaces are reserved for people EXITING the vehicle.  If you are not getting out, park in a regular space because someone else may come along that needs to get out while you are just sitting there.  My mother NEVER parks in disabled parking spaces if I’m not getting out.

3.  Watch out for the lined area next to disabled parking spaces.  These areas are there to allow space for lifts or loading and unloading a wheelchair.  So stay off these lines, you may be preventing someone from getting in or out of the vehicle.

4.  Van accessible spaces are only for vehicles that load or unload a wheelchair or other related mobility device.

            Unfortunately, until there is a cure for all the debilitating conditions that can happen to us, disabled parking is a necessity for many people living with pain and disability.  People need to wake up and realize disability does not discriminate against anyone.  You can join this segment of society at any time whether you are black, white, young, old, male, female, short, fat, ugly, or pretty.  Life is hard enough.  Yet people continue to be ignorant of other people’s needs and rights.  Remember, disabled parking is not a fringe benefit of being disabled.  Don’t make life harder and don’t abuse disabled parking.