Handicapped Parking Question-WWYD?

[TwinsinCA]

The OP said there were 'plenty' of open handicapped spots. For that reason I think the lady with the placard was in the wrong. If there were only one or two handicapped spots left, it would have been nice of her not to take the last spot. But in this case it would have been kinder for her to take the handicapped spot since she had a choice in the matter. The next person who might be 8 months pregnant, just broke their leg, or is trying to wrangle a couple toddlers... doesn't.

I wish the non handicapped lady had handled it better, but I don't think she was out of line to address the issue.

 

[KPeveler]

i always try to park in non-handicapped spots (i have a legal tag) when I can, so as to save the HA spots for people with wheelchair vans. I will be getting a wheelchair van in the near future, so i will not have a choice, but what if someone comes after me who needs to load or unload a wheelchair? And some days I just don't feel like being disabled!

I have some days that are better than others...

what are people going to say next, that i must ONLY use a handicapped stall in a bathroom???

really some people just need to mind their own business!

 

[DizBelle]

Oh boy, I may have problem there. I have a 90 year old relative who can hardly walk and has a tag. I drop him and and my spouse off at the door and then park. I hope if I get challenged the policeman will allow me to go get him.

If the person that requires the close proximity to the entrance is not in he vehcile when parked, why would you take a handicapped spot? Especially if you're going to go get the car and pick them up at the entrance at the end of the visit.

 

[KPeveler]

If the person that requires the close proximity to the entrance is not in he vehcile when parked, why would you take a handicapped spot? Especially if you're going to go get the car and pick them up at the entrance at the end of the visit.

at least in my state, the person with the disability must be IN THE CAR WHEN it is parked, unless he will DEFINITELY walk to the car when he comes out. if you are parking the car after dropping off and then going to pick him up, at least in my state this would NOT be allowed.

 

[ajk912]

The woman really ticked me off when she told the handicapped woman "you should park in a handicapped spot so that someone who is not fortunate enough to have a handicapped tag can get a close space, too!"

This is the funniest thing I have heard all day.

 

[pls5286]

I have a placard that hangs from my mirror at all times or else it gets lost in the clutter of my van. One of the kids will inevitibly grab it and do something with it and it is gone forever. On a good day, I will not use a handicapped space if there a regular one kinda close, I need the exercise, on a bad day, I use the handicapped spaces. However, by just looking at me, unless you know me really well, you don't know what kind of day I am having.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

It doesn't sounds like this is a case of no spots in the lot, just not necessarily a lot of close spots. I realize that it's cold in many places right now, but a few extra feet isn't going to kill you. That lady had a right to park where she wanted to. She does not have to use the spot and quite frankly, it was none of that other woman's business. If she is that lazy then maybe she should have stayed inside.

 

[TCPluto]

The law is that the person issued the hang-tag or plates has to not only be in the car but must leave the vehicle.

This is compeltely false.

 

[daughtersrus]

Oh boy, I may have problem there. I have a 90 year old relative who can hardly walk and has a tag. I drop him and and my spouse off at the door and then park. I hope if I get challenged the policeman will allow me to go get him.

If you are dropping the handicapped person off at the door and picking them up at the door, there is no need for you to park in a handicapped spot.

My SIL and I get into this argument all of the time. She will drop FIL at the door. Park in a handicapped spot and then get the car and pick him up at the door. I checked with our DMV and police department and both said that what she is doing is illegal.

 

[daughtersrus]

This is compeltely false.

Maybe the law varies from state to state.

Why would you need to park in a handicapped spot if the handicapped person is not getting out of the vehicle?

 

[Nie0214]

I avoid drama by parking at the back of the lot. I get exercise, nobody is near my car, and best of all.. those shopping carts come no where close to my car!

 

[DeluxePrincess]

As others have stated, sometimes the driver of the car isn't the person in need of the handicapped spot. I used to drive my grandma around all the time. The tag stayed in my car. I got tired of taking it on and off, so I just left it up. When she was not with me, I did not use HP spots. I can't believe this caused an arguement!

 

[bound2travel]

I just had to weigh in here. It is true you can never tell if someone has a problem so that they require a handicapped parking tag. A friend of mine had a lung disease so that he could not walk far - he had one. As did a friend with RA. My dad was in a wheelchair and my Mom had lung/heart/leg problems - both had one. The tag used depended on who was in the car. Mom couldn't use Dad's and he couldn't use hers.

Once, my Dad and I were running errands and I was driving. There was a store I just needed to run into real quick so he wasn't coming in with me. He wanted me to park in the handicapped space as he had the tag. I refused since he wasn't coming with me. Once or twice when he was driving, he would drop me off and then park in a handicapped place - only because the wider spot made it easier to park (he used hand controls). I didn't feel right, but knew he had a harder time turning and backing up using hand controls.

If a handicap space was not available, he would use two spaces. That's because his door had to open as wide as possible to get into the wheelchair. I think he would put up his tag then just so people might figure out he needed the two spaces.

One time, he parked in a handicap spot that had the extra space with lines between the spots. While we were in the store, another handicapped driver parked over that section because there were no other spots available! I had to back Dad's car out so he could get in. I'm not sure what the van in the other spot had to do.

I'm not sure about other states, but I heard in FL that you aren't suppose to drive with the tag hanging from the rear view mirror. I think it is due to possibly blocking your view. They won't pull you over for it though.

 

[TCPluto]

Maybe the law varies from state to state.

Why would you need to park in a handicapped spot if the handicapped person is not getting out of the vehicle?

The laws certainly can vary from state top state, but this doesn't make any sense. Common sense should prevail.

Like dropping the person in need at the front door, and then parking in the HC spot for the departure, when they have to walk out. It's just common sense.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

The laws certainly can vary from state top state, but this doesn't make any sense. Common sense should prevail.

Like dropping the person in need at the front door, and then parking in the HC spot for the departure, when they have to walk out. It's just common sense.

And others have quite plainly stated that if the person is indeed coming to the car (not being picked up) then that is okay, but if you are dropping them off and picking them up at the entrance it is indeed illegal. At some point the person needs to be entering or exiting the car in the space to be able to park there.

 

[GeorgeG]

We have a handicap parking tag for my wife (major back surgery with permanent nerve damage to one leg). First of all, it says right on the tag not to drive with it hanging on the mirror (it blocks your view). Also, my wife has good days and bad days. On the good days, she will leave the handicap parking spaces for others who may need them that day. I do not use the tag for myself.

The regular parking spaces in any parking lot are not reserved for anyone unless so posted. The second woman was in need of a serious attitude adjustment!

 

[manning]

If the person that requires the close proximity to the entrance is not in he vehcile when parked, why would you take a handicapped spot? Especially if you're going to go get the car and pick them up at the entrance at the end of the visit.

He does have his pride, when he comes out he wants to walk to the car. I've given up trying to convince him otherwise. He is fine being dropped off but if there is a space available I am given orders from him to park there.

 

[TheZue]

I have a couple thoughts on this. My mom is in a wheelchair and when I used to drive her around we would take the handicapped spots; ESPECIALLY at the holidays. I've never seen all the handicapped spaces taken but I have seen the regular spots overflowing with people double parked. The parking lots tend to fill up and I just can't justify taking up a spot that everyone has to compete for when there are a select few reserved for my mom and others who need them.

The second thought is about having the tag displayed while driving. If it was the one that hangs from the mirror they shouldn't be driving with it. It blocks the driver's view. If that's what was hanging it shouldn't have been displayed until they were parked in a handicapped space.

 

[HighClass]

Sometimes I take my handicapped Mother to the hairdresser-with her handicapped sign hanging from my visor.

I then do errands and i will NOT park in the handicapped spot when I am alone-then later pick her up.

So you can see having the sign in/on car has many interpretations!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I have a couple thoughts on this. My mom is in a wheelchair and when I used to drive her around we would take the handicapped spots; ESPECIALLY at the holidays. I've never seen all the handicapped spaces taken but I have seen the regular spots overflowing with people double parked. The parking lots tend to fill up and I just can't justify taking up a spot that everyone has to compete for when there are a select few reserved for my mom and others who need them.

The second thought is about having the tag displayed while driving. If it was the one that hangs from the mirror they shouldn't be driving with it. It blocks the driver's view. If that's what was hanging it shouldn't have been displayed until they were parked in a handicapped space.

Driving with it hanging there is not the end of the world. Should they? Probably not. But I know with the way my vehicle is configured something like that would not impede my view at all. It really depends on the vehicle. As long as it is not blocking their vision it's not a big deal. Some people would be likely to forget to put it up if they did not leave it hanging and then would end up with a ticket.