Getting crap for using handicapped parking stalls

[kingrex]

Who cares what these strangers think?

Jason Taylor of our Miami Dolphins had a great line about Bob Keuchenberg, an old-time Dolphin who's in the habit of criticizing the modern players for what he feels is a lack of toughness. Keuchenberg made some unsolicited, unflattering remarks to the media about Taylor, who just shrugged and replied, "Bob Keuchenberg needs a hug and a hobby."

What strangers think of you means nothing. Your best option is to ignore them. Or you can start barking like a dog But really, you're under no obligation to explain, feel guilty or make a snappy comeback FWIW, I have a disabled parking placard, which I use fairly often, and nobody's ever said a thing to me.


rex

[MrsBones]

Who cares what these strangers think?



What strangers think of you means nothing. Your best option is to ignore them. Or you can start barking like a dog But really, you're under no obligation to explain, feel guilty or make a snappy comeback FWIW, I have a disabled parking placard, which I use fairly often, and nobody's ever said a thing to me.


rex

I agree, Rex.

While we're getting worked up about it and will probably be upset the rest of the day about it (many here who have experienced this were annoyed/upset enough to still remember the whole exchange after long periods of time), the people who start trouble over a parking spot are going about their day and forgetting it all minutes later. Or going home feeling good, congratulating themselves for their parking police activities.

Why waste precious time worrying about them or even dignifying their behavior with a response? In this day and age when you never know just what people are capable of, for your own safety it's often best to leave it with a simple, "If you have a problem with my parking, please call the police." and walk away.

[Hawkgirl]

Wow, I have never had anyone said something to me about my placard or using a handicap space. I have always felt quite noble about it, because there are so many handicap spaces--many more than ever get filled. So I always feel I'm leaving the "real" spots open for other drivers. If you just scored a good spot close to the door, you can thank me for parking in a handicapped space instead of nabbing that great spot for myself!

Maybe my air of noble condescension has protected me from comments.

[grace4et]

A handicap placard comes with a paper registration much like the vehicle registration.

By law, the placard registration must be carried by the person whom the placard is registered to when in use. If requested you do need to show proof of registration for the placard.

not in nyc. you just get the blue hang tag with an expiration date on it. ive always wondered how would they know if its mine.

[Hawkgirl]

They use the placards in Oklahoma too. And it has your DL number on it, so if a cop confronted you, you could prove it is your placard.

But many people abuse the placards, like, an eldery relative might die and the kids or grandkids use the placard illegally. Or your spouse has a placard but you borrow it. I'm sure sometimes these systems are abused. But I've never met with anyone who had the nerve to go beyond dirty looks. And how can a dirty look compete with noble condescension?

We all need this attitude, folks. We are doing the non-handicapped community an immense favor by leaving the regular spots open for them. The handicapped spots are not always the most convenient. Also in many places there are way more handicapped spots than are ever used. Be a giver; park in one of the handicapped spots and give an abled person a chance to find a normal spot, instead of stealing it from him. And then hold your head high and think about how noble you are as you go into the store.

Seriously, we all know that MS can be an invisible disease. How many of us have heard, "But you look so good!" If only we were covered in green spots or something. I have often thought (but not had the nerve to say), I'll trade you how *I* look with how *you* feel.

[cosake]

@ Snoopy - We are in NH and all I got was the placard and a photocopy of the state laws regarding use of the placard.

The placard has an ID # on it that I assumed the police could verify was linked to my name.

I have to renew it in a two years. I think the renewal date here is linked to the renewal date on my driver's license because it is supposed to be good for 5 years, even though I have a permanent placard.

My pet peeve about the handicap placards is that state law says it may not hang while driving - only while parked. I see so many people who leave them hanging all of the time and it annoys me because it is actually a safety issue.

[SNOOPY]

cosake and grace4et,

I don't know how other states handle Placards. I do know NASCAR events such as what we went to have people from different states showing up. There were 3 to 4 people stopping and checking those who had HC placards before allowing them into that area. As I said previously, we were asked for the registration all three days.

I have HC plates for my vehicle but I also have a HC placard. My placard gives an expiration date and says "Permanent" but I still need to renew every 2 or 3 years.

[MrsBones]

cosake and grace4et,

I don't know how other states handle Placards. I do know NASCAR events such as what we went to have people from different states showing up. There were 3 to 4 people stopping and checking those who had HC placards before allowing them into that area. As I said previously, we were asked for the registration all three days.

I have HC plates for my vehicle but I also have a HC placard. My placard gives an expiration date and says "Permanent" but I still need to renew every 2 or 3 years.

I think a lot of states give some form of ID,etc to go with the placard. In NJ, we get an ID that looks like the old paper driver's licences. We have to carry the ID with us and if parking is questioned, we're supposed to produce this ID and picture ID to show we aren't using someone else's placard.

We also do the permanent, but needs to be renewed thing. My guess is that this is to try and prevent fraudulent use of a deceased person's placard. A person could certainly renew it after a relative is deceased, however, if caught using it illegally, they'd also have to produce the picture ID. That would require full on identity theft and really, would anyone do that for a parking space?

[sloth]

Children are wonderful!

I have done HC parking a very long time and for me, the comments, looks, ect just isn't a big deal anymore...I simply don't care what others may or may not think of where I park and why.

In early October my husband and I went to the Kansas Speedway for a weekend of NASCAR. All 3 days you were required to show proof of registration for the HC Placard.

If you didn't have the registration to go along with the placard you didn't get to park in the HC parking area. Awesome!

Hi Snoopy ..how does one show proof of registration for a placard once had?

[sloth]

A handicap placard comes with a paper registration much like the vehicle registration.

By law, the placard registration must be carried by the person whom the placard is registered to when in use. If requested you do need to show proof of registration for the placard.

OOps sorry just saw this LOL, but all I got was a card w/ my name on it it really shows nothing to connect it to the placard.

[sloth]

I have never had a problem (yet) when using a handicapped space, and I use my placard all the time. But if you see me get out of my car, there is no doubt that I have a disability!

If someone would confront me, my reply would be "I'd like for you to walk in my shoes for just 1 day and see if you would want to park in the "back forty!"

MS had made my walking "hell on earth", and I have no patience for stupid people. Now this is coming from a gal that is normally easy going and fun!!

Scooter- love your answer "well, you don't look stupid either!"

Hunter- you are so funny!!!!!!

Tommylee- those are great answers!!

Love it "walk in my shoes..."

[bellaboostevens]

A handicap placard comes with a paper registration much like the vehicle registration.

By law, the placard registration must be carried by the person whom the placard is registered to when in use. If requested you do need to show proof of registration for the placard.

Here in louisiana they issue you a 2nd license with your picture just to show proof for the handicap tag. Never had problems down here with anyone. so far that is.

One time a policeman did question my husband because he got to the car first, then saw me coming and left. They do check license and fine if you are not the one owning the tag.

[Shashi]

Has anyone else looked at this topic and read it as "Getting carp" instead of "crap"? I do a double-take every time I read it! LOL!!

[Sir-Voor]

WOW! I just looked up NYC hang tags, and most what a joke!
www.nydmv.state.ny.us/broch/c34.htm

The tangs do have a number on them so the police can look up who they belong to, BUT the fine for illegally parking in a space reserved for people with disabilities is $50 to $150, plus a mandatory $30 surcharge.
Here in Illinois it is $500.

Just wondering everybody; What is the fine in your state?

Also in NYC there is no fine for misuse of hang tags, other then they may be revoked.

Our hang tags have holes punched it them that indicate the owners sex on age, NYC tangs don’t look to have that?

[Kraheera]

Idaho states that the misuse/abuse of a handicap permit/tag/license will result in a 100 dollar fine.

Laughable, but amusing.