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I'm in complete agreement! I use those spaces myself but I use only a cane because of arthritis in my spine, feet and ankles, and I really don't look like I need it, but I can't walk very far without sitting down to give my feet a rest. I've often wondered what I would say if someone said something to me about taking up a space that someone in a wheelchair would need... While I doubt if I would ever say it, my statement might be something like "You look like an intelligent person, but looks are deceiving".. I really wouldn't do that to a stranger anyway, and anybody who knows me knows I need it. I need the cane more to prevent falls than because of my feet though.

Some of you have seen my posts where I've mentioned that I live in Rochester, Minn., home of the Mayo Clinic. When I park in their parking ramps I rarely get their handicap spaces because they don't have enough of them, and I don't spend a lot of time looking for one because I know that there are many people at the clinic who need those spaces more than I do. When I get to the elevators, they have a bench at each level where I can sit if I parked far enough away that I need to rest... some of their ramps are huge!

EDIT: In my state, it is illegal to use a handicap space (including tag) unless the person needing is getting out of the car.

StuUnderPressure wrote:

Rustsmith wrote:I could be (and should be) ticketed if I were to park in a blue space if she is not with me.

Have you EVER seen anyone check the actual Handicapped License in a person's wallet or purse?

That is what would have to be done to catch those parking in Handicapped spaces withOUT the Handicapped person in the car.

There is 1 shopping center in town that is really anal about policing Handicapped Parking. Once they see the plate or the placard, they just assume someone in the car is handicapped.

If they don't bother to do it, nobody will.

Stu Under Pressure, not all states have a license for your wallet... All I've had since the day I received my HC tag 20 years ago here in Minnesota is the tag itself, along with the sheet stating the rules for use. The Police or Sheriff's Station has access to the state's database for drivers licenses, handicap tags and plates, and many other things. Granted, there probably should be a wallet card for the disabled person to carry, and it would solve some of the issues we are all talking about here.

Madalot,

I thought of you & of this post today. At Sams Club, some Dumb A@! had to park across the lines blocking in the ONLY motorized cart they had left. And I needed it today, my ankle is the size of a watermelon & my neck is bad because I tried to lift a wheelchair for my mother-in-law's home visit to determine IF she viably could return home (she got a yes, I got my neck pulled out). My hubby 'worked' the cart out of the boxed in spot, hopefully the car that was scratched was the one that did the blocking in (that kind of bothered me). I thought of your post and of how many ways people mis-use the handicapped parking areas & the motorized carts that some stores provide.

People who mis-use these areas are now going to get a note from me, I'm printing them on my printer & putting a supply in each car we own. Right now, I would probably say:

JACK A@@ - this area is for the truly handicapped, you are abusing the privilege.

And one for:

YOU ARE A JACK A@@ & NEED TO MOVE YOUR CAR!!!

Thanks for letting me vent.

Jen