topic Re: Handicap Parking Spaces in Community Chat

Handicap Parking Spaces

HollyDays — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 17:42:53 GMT

If you don't have a placard can you park in a handicap spot if you have a broken toe (using a cane)? Or is that illegal? I witnessed a lady doing this in front of a restaurant with only one designated space and unfortunately a woman with a more severe handicap and an official card hanging in her car couldn't park there because of the lady with the broken toe. So the other lady walked with her walker for quite a distance before entering the restaurant.

Re: Handicap Parking Spaces

deepwaterdotter — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 17:45:12 GMT

Can't the police issue a ticket if you don't have a placard or license plate with the ""handicapped"" designation?

Re: Handicap Parking Spaces

madzonie — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 17:45:48 GMT

I think most states say a legit handicap placard must be displayed to park in a spot designated for handicap.

Often these spots are on private property, so getting the law to come and do something about "illegal" parking could be a challenge.

Re: Handicap Parking Spaces

donovan — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 17:46:57 GMT

No placard (or designated license plate) - no handicap parking.

Re: Handicap Parking Spaces

Qwackertoo — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 17:50:31 GMT

500.00 fine here.

I had the placard for maybe 2-3 months . . . with a fractured ankle, cast, crutches then boot. Never could find a handicap empty spot 90% of the time.

One time I did forget to put it up, ran into Parisian for maybe 5-10 minutes. Came back and had a warning ticket. They could tell by my license plate I wasn't an abuser with multiple infractions but I never forgot to put it up again the short time I had it.

Re: Handicap Parking Spaces

Puzzle Piece — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 17:53:04 GMT

Unless you have a placard or a disabled license plate, you are not to park in the Handicap Parking Spaces.

Where I live here in So Ca, folks take their cell phones and take a photo of your car and license plate and windshield and send them up to the State to get you cited. $1500-2500 for that infraction and you must face a judge.

Re: Handicap Parking Spaces

Tinkrbl44 — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 17:54:18 GMT

I've noticed that some cars with license plates indicating handicapped do not have placards ..... I'm guessing it depends on whether you must renew every 6 months or have a ""permanent"" designation.

Probably differs state to state.

Re: Handicap Parking Spaces

hckynut — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 18:00:46 GMT

A person can park anywhere they please. I know more than 1 person that paid hundreds of $$$$$ because of their choice of parking their vehicle. In our State, unless you have a valid placard(with accompanying validation letter), it is not legal to park in a designated Handicap Parking stall. Broken toe or broken leg without the aforementioned documents, it is illegal.

Re: Handicap Parking Spaces

madzonie — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 18:00:53 GMT

On 4/2/2015 Tinkrbl44 said:
I've noticed that some cars with license plates indicating handicapped do not have placards ..... I'm guessing it depends on whether you must renew every 6 months or have a "permanent" designation.

Probably differs state to state.

You're correct. I think is just varies from state to state. When I lived in CA, there was a different color of placard for temp vs permanent placards. I don't recall there being license plates with the disabled symbol...but I could be wrong.

Here in AZ, you have a choice of a license plate or a placard if you have a permanent disability - but you still have to renew it every 5 years.

Re: Handicap Parking Spaces

CouponQueen — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 18:02:58 GMT

You must have a placard prominently displayed or license plates depicting the handicap emblem.

Few years ago at work..we had one handicapped man who had no use of his legs and used a wheelchair obvioulsy the MOST in need..and more kudos for working..There were plenty of handicap spaces in front of the building and they were all being utilized..we noticed him wheeling in from the far end of the parking lot.

We turned it in to the appropriate dept. A mass email went out that all staff using handicap placards must bring in them to Security to register. Here they put the last four digits of your license on them when they are issued..

I know for fact on Dept Head was using her mother's. The following week there was multiple spots available.

I have seen cops ticket people in Walmart Parking lot ...although my mother and I complained to Mgmt one time that the entire fire lane was blocked by cars idling waiting. We had to walk between cars with my young grandson...barely enough room..and we had to go sideways.. All waiting for somebody in the store..

He said he could do nothing..it was up to the town who monitors the local highways. On occasion before that I have seen local police pull up behind such parker..put their lights on them indicating to move and they did.

We moved to another location and now that specific employee (Dr. of Psychology) has his own designated spot as he should..not marked Handicapped but actually has his name and Reserved For.....BUT you still have people parking in it..as he has off hours like some of us..and it will be vacant often.. I noticed this same man parking in it..and I said ""Good Morning Dr. "" ..being a smarty pants. He didn't correct at all..said Good Morning. Every time I see him after that - I call him Dr. for the man whose spot he was in..He NEVER corrects me...

I could not believe it..that he is actually one of our daytime Medical Directors.. He was dressed in complete Jewish garb (no disrespect meant - I don't know the exact name to call it..) and I actually thought he was a Rabbi..

So you have a MD who knows quite the rules of such things..but still parks in that spot..

Re: Handicap Parking Spaces

CouponQueen — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 18:05:21 GMT

On 4/2/2015 madzonie said:
On 4/2/2015 Tinkrbl44 said:
I've noticed that some cars with license plates indicating handicapped do not have placards ..... I'm guessing it depends on whether you must renew every 6 months or have a "permanent" designation.

Probably differs state to state.

You're correct. I think is just varies from state to state. When I lived in CA, there was a different color of placard for temp vs permanent placards. I don't recall there being license plates with the disabled symbol...but I could be wrong.

Here in AZ, you have a choice of a license plate or a placard if you have a permanent disability - but you still have to renew it every 5 years.

In our state if you have the license plate with the handicap emblem on it. You do not need the placard in the window.

Blue Placard is Perm Disability and you renew it every five years. You do not show Medical Documentation ..just get new ones from the issuing agency..

Red Placard is good for up to six months - you can renew them as long as needed.

Re: Handicap Parking Spaces

TaxyLady — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 18:05:46 GMT

In NJ you must either have a handicap license plate or a placard to be allowed to park in a handicap space.

If you really want to pursue someone parking without one, take a picture of their license plate, a picture of the car in the handicapped spot and a picture of the absence of a placard. Take the pictures to the police and let them investigate it. There is a pretty hefty fine. It could however be they forgot to put the placard up on the rearview window.

Re: Handicap Parking Spaces

ShowMe — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 22:19:11 GMT

On 4/2/2015 deepwaterdotter said:
Can't the police issue a ticket if you don't have a placard or license plate with the "handicapped" designation?

Yes, they can issue a ticket, and also a hefty fine.

In fact some establishments here in St. Louis area have a fine amount on their handicapped signs......

Re: Handicap Parking Spaces

SugarNSpice — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 22:21:24 GMT

It is illegal if they don't have a handicap placard. We've called security or police on people who park in the handicap spaces illegally.

Re: Handicap Parking Spaces

Cakers1 — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 22:34:14 GMT

On 4/2/2015 HollyDays said:
If you don't have a placard can you park in a handicap spot if you have a broken toe (using a cane)? Or is that illegal? I witnessed a lady doing this in front of a restaurant with only one designated space and unfortunately a woman with a more severe handicap and an official card hanging in her car couldn't park there because of the lady with the broken toe. So the other lady walked with her walker for quite a distance before entering the restaurant.

I would have spoken to the restaurant manager. This is the problem today - people think the world revolves around them and nobody wants to step up to bring them back to reality.

Re: Handicap Parking Spaces

raven-blackbird — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 22:37:35 GMT

you DO NOT park in a handicapped space for any reason.......it's meant for those with the placard who have difficulty getting around ALL the time..........when I broke my ankle, I didn't park the the handicapped parking, I just gimped my way to where I needed to go.........KNOWING.........in a month, I would be able to walk again without any aide or assistance of any kind.........they don't get to say that........................................raven

Re: Handicap Parking Spaces

SugarNSpice — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 23:27:42 GMT

On 4/2/2015 Cakers1 said:
On 4/2/2015 HollyDays said:
If you don't have a placard can you park in a handicap spot if you have a broken toe (using a cane)? Or is that illegal? I witnessed a lady doing this in front of a restaurant with only one designated space and unfortunately a woman with a more severe handicap and an official card hanging in her car couldn't park there because of the lady with the broken toe. So the other lady walked with her walker for quite a distance before entering the restaurant.

I would have spoken to the restaurant manager. This is the problem today - people think the world revolves around them and nobody wants to step up to bring them back to reality.

We have no problem in bringing them back to reality.

That's why we find the venue security or call for a police officer. The fines are hefty. Those spaces are meant for people who are handicapped 24/7/365 and have a handicapped placard.

(mail call)

Re: Handicap Parking Spaces

tansy — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 23:30:15 GMT

The spaces are also meant for people with a temporary disability as well. There are special placards (different colos) for people rehabbing from major surgery.

Re: Handicap Parking Spaces

SugarNSpice — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 23:36:18 GMT

On 4/2/2015 tansy said:
The spaces are also meant for people with a temporary disability as well. There are special placards (different colos) for people rehabbing from major surgery.

Hi Tansy,

I think the main thing is... they have a handicap placard as well. Even if it's temporary.

Re: Handicap Parking Spaces

Gooday — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 23:37:59 GMT

DH was given one when he was on dialysis. After his transplant, his nephrologist's office said there was no reason to renew this. DH said "GLADLY". I'm grateful to NOT need it.

My dad has one because of his aortic valve replacement, vascular insufficiency and diabetic neuropathy. Now that he is blind, I use his when we drive him anywhere. I was tempted to use it the other day because my knee aches me so but DH scolded me and told me to "gimp it" because it's morally wrong but he didn't want to risk a $500.00 fine. The mall we sometimes go to have the local police constantly driving through the lot checking for the stickers.