handicap parking places

[Sleepy]

My dad told me a story about something that happened to him the other day in the Wal-Mart parking lot. He has a hanger handicap tag that you place on your rearview mirror. When he got into his parking space, he noticed an old lady had stopped her car behind him. When he got out of his car, she told him she wanted his space. He told her he was sorry, but he was parked there. She said "Yeah, but I have a handicap TAG (license plates) on my car". He said I am aware of that, but I have a handicap hanger from the rearview mirror. She insisted he move because she had the tags. He told her he was sorry, but that if she wanted, she could wait until he was done shopping and then she could have the space. It was as if she felt having the TAGS gave priority over the hangers and that the hangers meant you could use handicap spaces only if someone with the tags does not need it. Has anyone encountered this situation?

 

[hugsquared]

I'm certainly no expert, but I've never been aware there was a difference. I would think the hanging permits may be for people who are temporarily unable to get around, like after surgery where there is a really long recovery period and you've gotten a doctors request for the permit. But as for using it, I wouldn't think one took priority over the other.

 

[bananiem]

There is no hierarchy. Whoever gets there first, with either a tag or the plate, gets the parking space.

 

[phorsenuf]

When I went to get mine they asked if I wanted plates or hanging tags. I chose the hanging tags because I could then take it with me if I was in somebody elses car (besides, I couldn't get my vanity plate with the handicapped plate).
There is no difference at all. The only difference (in my state) is a red hanging tag is a temp tag good for 6 months. A blue one is good for the length of your license, which is 5 years. There is also a handicap symbol on my license as well.
She just wanted his spot! LOL

 

[alabamaalan]

In our state, you can get a plate only if the handicapped person is the owner of the vehicle.

You get a tag to hang from the rear view mirror if you often drive someone who is handicapped. Of course, it is an honor system that you use it only when appropriate.

If you are temporarily disabled, the mirror tag is a different color.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

I don't know of any priority (tags vs. hanging/mirror tag). AFAIK, it's first come, first parked. Sounds like your dad handled this appropriately. (I just hope the old lady didn't "key" his car in retaliation. )

 

[philaround]

I have recently become disabled and have the hanging blue tag from my mirror. Here in CT you can also get a red hanging tag for temporary disablities. Well last Sunday we decided to go to a buffet breakfast at Home Town. As I was driving through the parking lot there was a large family walking toward the restaurant so I slowed down as there were several children and some elderly in the group. The vehicle behind me decided that they needed to speed up and drive around me right through this large group of pedestrians. No they did not hit any of these people [how the driver managed to miss them all is a miracle]. This guy then pulled into the last handicapped space. After circling the parking lot twice I was able to get a parking space. As we walked to the restaurant we passed this vehicle and I noticed that there was no handicap plate or tag visible. They were still unloading passengers [it was an SUV with about 12 people stuffed in it] and the driver noticed me looking so he reached into the car and hung a tag from the mirror. OK I said to myself at least he has a right to park in the space, he is just a rotten line jumper. Not the end of the story. On our way out I see that this car is still there and now I notice that his tag is red so instead of going around the back of the car I go by the front so I can get a good look at his tag. IT EXPIRED 5/1/2005. Sorry for shouting.

 

[skiwee1]

My mom, here in MD, just got her hanging permit last week. She got the hanging one because she can use it in different vehicles. Both the tag and the permit are the same thing.

 

[Maleficent13]

Agree with everyone so far and to the guy in philaround's story.

 

[Belle1962]

I was given a choice of either the hard plates or the hang tag. I chose the hang tag. Does someone who have plates have priority over me? Umm..NOOOOOOOOO. I rarely use the hc spots even with the tag---so if I'm in it--I need it. Maybe your dad looked "healthy" enough to the woman. (But she still had b**ls to confront him) I know I have gotten stares when people see me using mine. I've even had people 'warn me" that I could get in trouble for using someone else's hang tag-----I just say 'it IS mine" and move on. This is the perfect example of "don't judge a book....." and that woman shouldn't have been asking your dad to move. I think he was polite enough to even respond to her. I would have kept on going and ignored her.

The only one I MIGHT have moved for would be a DAV tag. (THEY truely should have first priority).

 

[minniecarousel]

My mother has a hanging "Disabled" tag for when she's a passenger in a car (she no longer drives). There is no difference between the hanging tag and the specialized license plate. My sister just got her temporary red hanging tag, which will probably have to be renewed - but at least she can get around.

 

[ChibiJones]

The only one I MIGHT have moved for would be a DAV tag. (THEY truely should have first priority).

What is a DAV tag? I've never heard of that one.

 

[jupster75]

DAV = disabled american veteran



Jennifer

 

[Morganpics]

My mom also has the blue hanging tag. Temporary here is red. Mom wouldn't get a plate since she'd have to give up her "low number"! Plus it means she can ride with us, instead of us having to use her car.

 

[Mama Penguin]

When I went to get mine they asked if I wanted plates or hanging tags. I chose the hanging tags because I could then take it with me if I was in somebody elses car (besides, I couldn't get my vanity plate with the handicapped plate).
There is no difference at all. The only difference (in my state) is a red hanging tag is a temp tag good for 6 months. A blue one is good for the length of your license, which is 5 years. LOL

We get a choice, license plate or hanging tag. We chose the hanging tag because it's for my son, and the tag goes with him, no matter what vehicle he's riding in, it's available if either my DH or I need it for him.

They mean the same thing, a license plate is not "more entitled" than a hanging tag.

 

[laurie31]

Oh my gosh- someone just mentioned over on the handicapped stall thread if it would eve come to two handicapped individuals fighting over which of them had the worst handicap and was enititled touse the restroom first...and here it happened with the parking spaces!

I think if you need the handicapped space, then you need the space. You can't be handicapped on a sliding scale so you can determine who is "worse off" (heart disease gets a 7, wheelchair users get a 9, arthritis is a 5, etc. How ridiculous! If you can't walk to the door, then you can't. Period.) . I can't believe she confronted him over that. Sheesh.

And I would have called the cops on the person with the expired tag who nearly ran over a group of pedestrians to get the handicapped spot. I have no tolerance for that sort of thing. (I don't mean when an apparently healthy person has a tag, I understand about hidden conditions, but that guy was obviously screwing the system. His hangtag was expired).

Laurie

 

[mamajoan]

I have BOTH... a hanging tag for when I ride with others and a Plate for my own van. I have had them both for 6 years in both California and Illinois.
There is no difference for priority parking sake. LOL... old bird thought she could get away with it I guess....

I will say that since we have moved back to Illinois~ I am amazed at WHERE handicap parking spaces are located in lots regarding the proximity to doorways. MOST of the time in small lots the handi space is the FARTHEST spot from the door. However, I do like the fact that handispaces in large lots have hashmarks on BOTH sides of the space. This allows for better accessibility when I use my powerchair.

Speaking of people "not getting it" . If I am by myself and I venture out to a mal,l I must use my powerchair as I can not walk much distance. I am fortunate to have a power lift which is like a crane in the back of my van.
Totally, freaks people out to see a person get out of a powerchair, then hobble with a cane to manipulate the lift and powerchair into the van. It takes a minute or two and is difficult.. but it allows me INDEPENDENCE...
but they just keep staring.... and some make lovely comments...

it's ok.. I just smile and say "GOTTA HOBBLE!"

 

[PrincessKitty]

If I'm not mistaken, Florida stopped passing out handicapped tags because there was a concern people perceived as disabled might be targets for carjackings, etc. (This was also right around the time car rental companies started taking identifying stickers off of rental cars because tourists were being targeted for crime, especially in south Florida). So no, tags and handtags are the same thing (wonder how many times that lady has tried that line?? ).

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I have both. My car has a license plate and I have a hanging tag for when I go in someone else's car. The only reason I need one is because if I cannot get my door open all the way, I cannot get into the car (I'm a paraplegic). So 99% of the time I park in a handicapped spot on the end or one with lines on one side.

 

[Michigan]

I have 2 vans with plates and 2 hang tags for both my daughters. They are both paraplegics. I got the plates because in Michigan if you have a lift on your van and have a handicap plate then the cost of you plate is 50% of what it would be without the plate and lift. Most of the time we can never find a handicap spot because they are always full so the van I use the most with the kids has a rear lift so it doesn't matter where I park because they can get out.