DON'T MISUSE HANDICAP PARKING SPACES
WRECK-LESS DRIVING ©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist
DON'T MISUSE HANDICAP PARKING SPACES
DENVER, CO: Angie K. e-mailed the suggestion that I write about handicap parking spaces. The super store's large parking lot had numerous spaces set aside for the handicapped. Many of these spaces were empty. This causes some less thoughtful drivers to decide to use one even though not in need of close-to-store parking.
Do not be too quick to conclude that the person walking away from the auto is "cheating". Some disabilities are not apparent until the person overexerts, such as distance walking or lugging heavy purchases.. On the other hand, we should expect the vehicle to display a special handicap decal, license plate, or placard on the dash. Misuse of these spaces is prohibited by law and violators are subject to citations.
Some police departments have enforcement programs. Other communities seem to not care about who uses these spaces beyond mandating that the merchant set aside a specified number. In most instances the "honor" system works. If you are able, park elsewhere and be ever grateful that you can walk.
Occasionally we see vehicles with handicap license plates parked some distance away from empty handicap reserved spaces. That may be because there were no such persons in the vehicle. Or a more mildly handicapped person may have decided, wisely, that some walking is good therapy for her/his condition. One mildly handicapped driver explained that she saves the designated spaces for those who truly need them.
GHD 105 all rights reserved
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist
DON'T MISUSE HANDICAP PARKING SPACES
DENVER, CO: Angie K. e-mailed the suggestion that I write about handicap parking spaces. The super store's large parking lot had numerous spaces set aside for the handicapped. Many of these spaces were empty. This causes some less thoughtful drivers to decide to use one even though not in need of close-to-store parking.
Do not be too quick to conclude that the person walking away from the auto is "cheating". Some disabilities are not apparent until the person overexerts, such as distance walking or lugging heavy purchases.. On the other hand, we should expect the vehicle to display a special handicap decal, license plate, or placard on the dash. Misuse of these spaces is prohibited by law and violators are subject to citations.
Some police departments have enforcement programs. Other communities seem to not care about who uses these spaces beyond mandating that the merchant set aside a specified number. In most instances the "honor" system works. If you are able, park elsewhere and be ever grateful that you can walk.
Occasionally we see vehicles with handicap license plates parked some distance away from empty handicap reserved spaces. That may be because there were no such persons in the vehicle. Or a more mildly handicapped person may have decided, wisely, that some walking is good therapy for her/his condition. One mildly handicapped driver explained that she saves the designated spaces for those who truly need them.
GHD 105 all rights reserved
posted by WRECK-LESS at Friday, February 10, 2006
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