I once pulled up to an office complex with four un-occupied handicapped spots
available right at the front entrance. Even though there were several regular
open parking spaces farther beyond the handicapped ones, an unattended
"information-storage" van was parked in one of the handicapped slashed-marked
spaces. Obviously, from the business name plastered all over the van, it was
not being driven by anyone handicapped. Luckily, the business phone and vehicle
number were also on the side of the van, so I started writing them down
intending to call and report it. Just as I was finishing copying the
information, the able-bodied driver came out of the building complex wheeling a
dolly with some boxes on it. He saw me writing and hurried to the back of the
van and started loading the boxes. I said, "You know it's illegal to park in
the hash-marked spots... those spaces are for handicapped people who need
access for their wheelchairs." He totally ignored me, so, as he hurried to fin
ish loading and drive off, I called the company on my cell phone and reported
the driver illegally parked. The person who answered apologized and said the
driver would definitely be reprimanded. She thanked me said they have no idea
this is happening unless someone tells them.
It's too bad regular drivers can't be reported as easily... I used to have some
little business-sized cards that read,
"Did you mean to park this way... or have you always been a selfish bastard?"
(I think I might make some up on my computer to leave on illegally parked cars)
Betty
(in Northern California)
In a message dated 10/08/10 21:49:57 Pacific Daylight Time, balmatmic writes:
*The police have been montioring the parking and if caught with grandma's (or
anyone else's) card not only does of offender get a ticket of close to $400 but
grandma loses the card. High price to pay, but abusers still don't learn.
That's the way it should be. We see people running into the store with a
placard hanging from the windshield all the time. It makes me sick, but there
is only so much we can do without an official closeby. I do love it when they
take the card away for abuse. I must admit that when my own mother died there
was approximately 6 months left on her placard before it expires and I used it
in my other car, but then, I had a valid card as well. However, if I was even
questioned, my #'s wouldn't have matched for registration. I do know of people
who keep their parents/grandparents placards in their cars since they don't
want to forget them when they take them out. They do not abuse them however,
but this is how a lot of this abuse happens.
Hugs, Barbara A
-----Original Message-----
From: Cindy McLeroy <cindymcle...@socal.rr.com>
To: tmic-list@eskimo.com; Barbara Alma <balmat...@aol.com>
Sent: Fri, Oct 8, 2010 7:00 pm
Subject: Re: [TMIC] handicapped placard
Think you are right about the valid driver's license but when you receive the
new placard there is a regristration paper included to carry with you. The
abuse is terrible. At the Angels games they have close to 200 handicapped
parking spaces. On any given night they have between 500 to 600 people with
placards. The police have been montioring the parking and if caught with
grandma's (or anyone else's) card not only does of offender get a ticket of
close to $400 but grandma loses the card. High price to pay, but abusers still
don't learn.
----- Original Message -----
From: Barbara Alma
To: tmic-list@eskimo.com
Sent: Friday, October 08, 2010 5:23 PM
Subject: Re: [TMIC] handicapped placard
It is appalling! I think in California, if you have a valid driver's license
they will continue to mail you a disabled placard. Unless you notify DMV that
you no longer need it, it's all automatic!
Hugs, Barbara A in Auburn CA
-----Original Message-----
From: Janice Nichols <jan...@centurytel.net>
To: aca...@aol.com; rn11...@yahoo.com; tmic-list@eskimo.com
Sent: Fri, Oct 8, 2010 2:59 pm
Subject: Re: [TMIC] handicapped placard
Since I got TM, my husband and I have noticed people who should not, parking in
handicap parking. We have also noticed that some restaurants, theaters,
etc., make us travel a lot more from the handicap parking to the front doors.
I think you have to be where you need the parking before you realize how
important it is. Janice
From: aca...@aol.com
Sent: Friday, October 08, 2010 4:14 PM
To: rn11...@yahoo.com ; tmic-list@eskimo.com
Subject: Re: [TMIC] handicapped placard
Parking is my biggest gripe. I use an accessible van and need to get out using
the ramp on the passenger side. 3 times this month someone was parked on the
stripes adjacent to the parking spot. One time I called the police and he
didn't even know how to write a ticket and for what amount ( this is in New
York). Ended up they got a tkt for $250. Once was at the library and we found
the person. This week in the rain I was at the mall. I had to ask a stranger
to pull my car out so I could get into my car. I didn't have time to wait for
the police and security at the mall is never there when you need them.
In Florida where I go for the winter there is always someone in the
handicapped spot at the tennis complex and then they go to play tennis. I used
to be a tennis player and am always at the courts watching or helping the
captain on my former team and I dont have a spot to park in. Cant do anything
about it because there is a placard. Usually I leave a note to say if you are
playing tennis then you shouldn't be in this spot. I feel like the parking
spot commando.
Such is life, Rosalie
In a message dated 10/8/2010 4:59:35 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
rn11...@yahoo.com writes:
Hi,
I got my new placard in the mail today. They are reissued every 5 yrs. At
one time,you had to sign a paper that you were still disabled and return it to
the DMV,and a few weeks later you got the placard. Now they're just
mailed,without knowing if you are even alive.
Cheryl in Easthampton,MA
