Government

Handicapped Parking Abuse Is Costing Cash-Strapped Calif. ‘Millions’

Handicapped Parking Abuse Is Costing Cash Strapped Calif. MillionsYou know those little blue handicapped parking passes that serve as all-access tickets to the best parking spots at the mall? Well, in California, it seems almost everyone has one. Really. And it’s costing “millions of dollars.”

Just get a load of these stats from the L.A. Times:

With 1 in 10 California drivers now legally registered to carry the passes, transportation experts say abuse has become commonplace. At any given moment, on any given street, more than a third of the vehicles displaying the tags — and parking without paying — are doing so illegally, say officials with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

The Times explains how people usually “abuse” the privilege:

Under California law, as in most states, cars displaying a disabled placard may park for free for an unlimited time at metered spaces. The placard holder does not have to own or drive the vehicle, but if a relative or friend is using the placard to secure free, unlimited parking, then the placard holder must accompany that person or be within “reasonable proximity.”

[...]

But with metered spaces now costing as much as $4 an hour, the temptation to misuse a friend‘s or relative’s placard — even a dead one’s — can be great.

So what’s the cost to the public? The Times says that in California — which is in dire straits financially — “abuse of disabled placards translates into millions of dollars in lost parking revenues and increased traffic congestion.”

In fact, the problem has become so costly and rampant the state has even started setting up “sting” operations to catch abusers. That’s right, it’s “Miami Vice,” handicapped parking edition.

For example, the Times tells the story of one lady who got busted after walking to her car from her gym. She was using her mother’s tag:

Another driver cited by DMV investigators in Beverly Hills had just emerged from a Camden Drive fitness center to her expired meter. She told officers that she had earlier dropped her mother at a doctor’s office, and her mother confirmed that via cellphone. Nonetheless, an investigator confiscated the placard, saying the woman had “personally garnered a benefit” by using it to park for free while she exercised.

Part of the reason for the problem is that investigators usually reach a dead end when they try look into why someone has a handicapped pass. Privacy laws prevent the investigators from asking that question. Also, disabled advocacy groups have fought hard not to have the laws surrounding the issuing of the permits changed because, essentially, they don’t want to “screw over” (as one told the paper) people who actually need the passes.

So for now, there’s not much the state can do to preempt the misuse. “It does sort of invite this corruption and is a disservice to other motorists,” Michael Manville, a UCLA researcher who has studied the issue, told the Times.

Vito Scattaglia, deputy chief of the division of investigations at the DMV, however, told the Times the reactionary responses — the sting operations — will continue. He hopes they make a difference: “We need a deterrent.”

Read the full report from the L.A. Times.

(H/T: Gawker)

Comments (158)

1 2 3 4
  • RightPolitically
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 11:11pm

    Like most good intentioned government programs put forth by political “do-gooders,” the nationwide handicapped parking laws are routinely abused. It is evident everywhere. People of all ages “vault” out of their vehicles with regularity. Those who really need to park close rarely find a space because of the all the phoniness. Sometimes fights erupt between them and when they do, watch out, most of them could knock off a pro-wrestler. Pure scam designed to give the greedy and inconsiderate ones (self-absorbed liberals) a jump on the honest citizen.

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
  • jdog777
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 11:10pm

    After everyone is handicapped…. then nobody is handicapped.

    Report Post »  
  • woodyb
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 11:07pm

    “Under California law, as in most states, cars displaying a disabled placard may park for free for an unlimited time at metered spaces. The placard holder does not have to own or drive the vehicle, ”
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    That speaks well of the CA legislators — With our Illinois permits, the handicapped person must not only BE IN THE VEHICLE, he/she must EXIT THE VEHICLE at the posted location, with a $150 to $250 fine (set by the locality) fine for violation/misuse!!!!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • TheRealElvis
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 11:00pm

    The same ones who are doing work that Americans won‘t do are parking where Americans won’t park.
    Pass the food stamp book, the welfare checks and the get out of jail free cards please.

    Report Post »  
  • CARBON HOG
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:59pm

    libs need the tags, they’re all mental………but we knew that..

    Report Post » CARBON HOG  
  • The Gooch
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:54pm

    No offense, but CA is generally disabled. Fat man as an adult baby threatening to kill himself if the govt. teat is denied, Harold Camping, Arnold’s love child nonsense, electing the pseudo hippy/professional politician Jerry Brown, Charlie Sheen… the list could go on and on and on. The whole dang state is handicapped in my opinion. And it is all arguably willful.
    NO SYMPATHY for the lamentations of this “great” state.

    Report Post »  
    • The Gooch
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 11:03pm

      Oops! Forgot Nancy Pelosi and the (SF) Bay area in general. “The Golden State”… oh, how far from THAT utterance it now all happens to be.

      Report Post »  
  • tkelly33
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:51pm

    Can’t think of any good reason to exempt the handicapped from paying for the parking. The pass should only provide them parking near the entrances, not FREE parking.

    Report Post »  
    • sissykatz
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 12:16am

      Tkelly33

      I agree with you.Getting to park closer is enough. I needed a handicap placard for years but would not get one, thinking I would be preventing someone in worse shape from gettting a spot. Finally I had to. But my perfectly healthy 20yr old Godchild went to the Dr. for a sprained ankle and her Mother went to get her a handicap card I thought it would be only temporary but it was for 10YEARS. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?

      Report Post »  
  • AmericanStrega
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:51pm

    Hey The Blaze, why do you keep dumping my posts when they, as far as I can see, not negative? You all are getting worse than Fox News and FoxNation.

    Report Post »  
  • 10th MTN DIV SCOUT
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:47pm

    handicapped placards are just a crutch…another thing for people to abuse like welfare. not to mention I have too much pride to use one

    Report Post » 10th MTN DIV SCOUT  
  • Genesee
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:40pm

    The real issue is not the money, but that people who need the spaces find them filled. Parking meter revenues would not come close to solving CA’s fiscal problems, but on this issue those with legit handicapped should pay to park, and meters for others should be much lower than $4 an hour (encourages cheating). To address CA money problem, cut off all free and subsidized services for illegal aliens and force businesses to obey the law and not hire illegals. Attrition through enforcement will force illegals to self-deport.

    Report Post »  
  • nomercy63
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:39pm

    California losing money???? Now is that a surprise to anyone!!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • David, the Constitutional Libertarian
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:39pm

    Oh this is just California being bigots toward handicapped people.

    Report Post » David, the Constitutional Libertarian  
  • David, the Constitutional Libertarian
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:38pm

    Well heck California, why not just jack up income taxes, sales taxes and property taxes? The pubelic unions and workers will back you. Everyone knows that government workers hate taxpayers and see them only as victims to their thievery anyway.

    Report Post » David, the Constitutional Libertarian  
  • HillaryJo
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:35pm

    You can not tell if a person is handicapped by looking at them. My friend looks very healthy but she has MS and can only walk short distances. Yes, she has a cane but otherwise you would never know.

    Report Post » HillaryJo  
  • EdBoo
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:34pm

    Once I got a cell phone some years ago I made it a point to call police when I saw someone abusing the privilege, asked them to respond and hopefully to write a ticket. Sometimes they do which I find quite entertaining – watching the arm-waving, pleading and shouting from a convenient spot.

    It’s both men and women but mostly women by far – younger women actually. The latest was last Wednesday when I was on vacation in Florida. A woman who was obviously fit jogged from her SUV parked in a handicapped spot into a Panera. I was parked nearby waiting for my wife.

    When the woman came back I challenged her and asked why she was parking in a handicapped spot. She said it was okay because she was getting something for her handicapped mother to eat. I called her a “stupid bitch” and she deserved it. She didn’t like that at all! Neither did the transmission in her BMW! LOL

    In my part of town there is/was a guy going around ice-picking tires of those he felt were handicapped parking abusers. I know because the son of one of oldest friends is a deputy police chief and told me about it. It had apparently been going on for years and years.

    The guy finally grew old and careless and was caught thanks to a security camera in a large shopping mall. All they could prosecute him for was the one car where he was observed. His calling card was two tire sidewalls stabbed – one front and one rear on opposite sides.

    Report Post »  
  • AmericanStrega
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:30pm

    10th MTN DIV SCOUT
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:22pm
    You know its funny but if anyone was to see me….you’d think nothing is wrong when in fact I got 2 ruptured discs at the base of my neck where the nerves branch out and 2 ruptured in my lower back due to falling out of a blackhawk in Iraq. Do I use a handicapped placard? NO. Could I? Absolutely, I’ve been offered one numerous times but I refuse. Although I must agree most fat obese disgusting members of society think they deserve it because they are too fat to walk into the store from a distance because they might get short of breath…then you have people like me where it hurts to get in my truck then even worse to get out let alone walk a football field afterwards…yet I still don’t use one. Its called drink water and drive on! Not to mention even if i did have one chances are I wouldn’t get a spot anyway because of the fatties. The integrity in our great nation is gone. I say to hell with handicapped spots..riding the rascal that the stores offer make up for it.

    Dear Sir or Ma’am. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE! I would like to put my steel-toed boot up the azz of the people who wrongly use handicapped parking spots. I respect the fact that you refuse to use the placard, but I would ask you to please be careful getting in and out of you vehicle and walking the yardage to get into a store. YOU, Sir or Ma’am, DESERVE (and I really hate that word, it’s abused by so many) to get the best spot. Again, Than

    Report Post »  
  • blazingaway
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:24pm

    Another example of how government just screws things up.
    Government can’t legislate morality.
    Therefore, Drs. will give out stickers to anyone who ask or pays.
    Same goes with Medical Weed.
    Wake-up America and get the government out of our life and pay less taxes for services we don’t need and which only screw=up your life

    Report Post » blazingaway  
  • AmericanStrega
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:23pm

    This is way off the subject…Joplin, Mo. was hit by a nasty tornado this evening. The place is completely wiped out. Please pray for those who live there that they may find their lost loved ones alive and pray for those who have lost loved ones and friends.

    Report Post »  
  • 10th MTN DIV SCOUT
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:22pm

    You know its funny but if anyone was to see me….you’d think nothing is wrong when in fact I got 2 ruptured discs at the base of my neck where the nerves branch out and 2 ruptured in my lower back due to falling out of a blackhawk in Iraq. Do I use a handicapped placard? NO. Could I? Absolutely, I’ve been offered one numerous times but I refuse. Although I must agree most fat obese disgusting members of society think they deserve it because they are too fat to walk into the store from a distance because they might get short of breath…then you have people like me where it hurts to get in my truck then even worse to get out let alone walk a football field afterwards…yet I still don’t use one. Its called drink water and drive on! Not to mention even if i did have one chances are I wouldn’t get a spot anyway because of the fatties. The integrity in our great nation is gone. I say to hell with handicapped spots..riding the rascal that the stores offer make up for it.

    Report Post » 10th MTN DIV SCOUT  
    • NoStoppingUs
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:27pm

      Thank you for living your life with honor and for your service. My nephew is at Lackland AFB right now training to be a PJ. He is two weeks in.

      Report Post »  
    • USAMEDIC3008
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 11:26pm

      SCOUT
      Been there done that I dont have a placard either
      Love you Brother, take care…

      Report Post » USAMEDIC3008  
    • Captain Crunch
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 4:15am

      Thank you. Your a “tough dog” like in the Blaze story yesterday. If I had a closer parking space than you I’d have no problem moving my car for you to have the space.

      Report Post »  
    • dizzyinthedark
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 9:27am

      I too am greatful for your service to all of us here, thank you! May God rest his healing hands upon your pain and heal you completely, in Jesus’ name, amen!

      Report Post » dizzyinthedark  
    • dizzyinthedark
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 11:03am

      Off topic here…..I just realised something. On a recent Beck show, the question was asked what you liked most about Israel and least. Mr. Beck’s response to the latter, was something to the effect that he didn’t like it when people started talking about themselves. Geez, I’m afraid that means me here. I’d like to apologize to Mr. Beck, I‘m afraid I’ve talked about myself, but only to educate those, sorry?!

      Report Post » dizzyinthedark  
  • AmericanStrega
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:20pm

    Yes, the violators should be smacked down. BUT, shouldn’t California lawmakers and police get to the meat of the prohibitive costs killing California, (i.e. illegal’s)? This penny ante BS at trying to cut their finicial losses by imposing penny ante crap is just a very small drop in the sieve of a bucket, that is the financial meltdown of California. Maybe if they started at the top of the list of the money drain, they would better serve the TAXPAYERS of California AND the American people. You know, since it’s going to be the rest of us shleps who are going to end up paying for the idiotic people of California and their financial mess.

    Report Post »  
  • bullcrapbuster
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:15pm

    Socialism and rampant corruption always go hand in hand.

    Report Post » bullcrapbuster  
  • NoStoppingUs
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:14pm

    Meanwhile providing healthcare, education, welfare, food stamps, housing, and legal services to millions of illegal immigrants is costing CA….??? nothing?

    Report Post »  
  • 82dAirborne
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:10pm

    How many of you think as I do: We can do without California! In life, war, politics or just about any other situation you can name at some point it is best to just cut your losses and move on.

    How long before Mr. Obama tells us that California will be bailed out by our Federal government? He has too many high profile friends there to let them sink or swim on their own. (As Texas has done with the wild fires)

    Mr. & Mrs. Obama and California deserve each other; not federal bailouts.

    Report Post » 82dAirborne  
    • AMERICA4EVER
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:20pm

      Same fat people are riding around in the motorized shopping carts in the supermarket and stocking up on steaks and lobster with food stamps.

      Report Post »  
    • calijohn
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:30pm

      i say let california keep the funds the state sends to the federal government. after all, california sends more than it receives, unlike, oh, mississippi, alaska, new mexico, etc. etc. etc.
      are you one on those who hope for california to fall into the pacific?
      i read those kind of comments every time there is an earthquake out here, or mud slides, or forest fires, or flooding.
      california has one of the largest, most vibrant and robust economies in the world.
      look it up.

      Report Post »  
    • Oil_Robb
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:57pm

      California is worried about the mass exodus of companies going to Texas where the taxes and the cost of living is lower. Most fortune 500 companies (60 minutes 4 weeks ago) like Google and Sisco systems have already set up head offices in Ireland and Switzerland where the corporate taxes are 30% of what they are in California

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 11:15pm

      @CaliJohn:

      I have to differ with you on the ‘vibrant economy’ there are family and friends of mine who have their own businesses go bankrupt under the weight of CA regulations and taxations; most have moved to Texas and Arizona to attempt to reestablish their lives in a more business and person friendly area of the nation.

      When my dad lost his mother a couple of years back and had to pay taxes on her business and the properties she owned, he wound up having to pay more than all of their net worths combined.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • GeorgieJo
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 11:49pm

      82-
      You are right Kalifornica will be BAILED OUT
      Sinister Barbie Boxer will make Obummer do it
      or Barbed Streisund
      Payback for all his demodollars
      Sigh
      Maybe that faceback dude Zuckerburg? He and Gates can BUY Kalifornica

      Report Post »  
    • KickinBack
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 2:36am

      @82ndairborne

      Well, California is the most populated state. Also the most Liberal. Thankfully that’s why we have the electoral college. Keeping all those crazy peeps in one little area from deciding our course of history. (Nothing against the conservatives there, I know how you feel, I’m from MI :)

      Report Post » KickinBack  
    • Outlaw_Josey_Wales
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 3:26am

      The other 49 states should make california secede from the union.

      Report Post » Outlaw_Josey_Wales  
    • Fantastic Four
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 12:21pm

      @ GeorgieJo… Those commies will never buy california for one simple reason…. the money will have to come out of their pockets….Libs and Commies only know how to spend other peoples money NEVER their own that would be a SIN (oops scratch that they will get offended by a Bible reference)

      Report Post » Fantastic Four  
    • RepublicAnn
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 4:08pm

      Why don’t we have all the libs, progs and illegals move to CA and have it become it’s own country… and no the new America would not send you “assistance”.

      Report Post »  
  • BHAMCONSERVATIVE
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:10pm

    These tags have been abused for years. I never see ANYTHING wrong with the people in my town who park in handicap spaces other that being fat! I think this country really needs to rethink what it means to be “handicapped.”

    Report Post »  
    • Dustyluv
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:29pm

      I could easily get one of those tags. I park as far away from the door as i can to get execise. I think if you can drive and load your ass in the car, you dont need one either…

      Report Post »  
    • dealer@678
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:57pm

      You must not live in the south. Just wait though. They breed like Cane Toads and they are headed your way

      Report Post »  
    • dizzyinthedark
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 8:56am

      Here‘s the problem with my ’handicap’. I have a tag but only use it at night. I should use it during the daytime, but don‘t because I don’t want to confront people like the ones I see here make uninformed comments about what it is to be ‘handicapped’.

      When I walk, because I have only half a balance system and the other one seems to be weakened (checking into that soon with specialist) my vision bounces, so I walk like a drunk, I weave. By the time I make it to the door I’m tired (my brain works harder than yours does to keep me upright), but I do this all the time because I do not want to have a conversation about my ‘hidden disability’ to those who will confront me about taking up a handicapped spot for someone who could use it that ‘looks’ like they really need it!

      I will use it at night though because then I will use a ‘third leg’ or cane as it is near impossible for me to know what is up or down or I just use my partners arm.

      Don’t get me wrong here, I’m not scolding, just educating all here to those who haven‘t thought about us who have the ’hidden disability’. I’ll go sit in the back of the room now.

      Report Post » dizzyinthedark  
  • Disnylv
    Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:05pm

    Oh my. Well I should think those who really do not need them will be shamed.

    Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:17pm

      How in the world do you shame an illegal alien? I lived in San Diego for 61 years and the courts don’t enforce the laws unless your a working American. I got out. I live where everyone speaks english and wave at you as you pass in the other direction. I knew America was around here somewhere.

      Report Post »  
    • NorthernNate
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:18pm

      Simple solution, handicapped individuals pay for their parking like everyone else. They can afford the car and gas, they can afford the meter.

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:24pm

      @Northern Nate:

      Good idea, that is a very good idea; yet there would still be lawsuits galore, just as there will be soon over these stings – claims of discrimination against the disabled and the like will soon commence if the ACLU and their affiliates are on the job.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Dustyluv
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:26pm

      I am sure one in 10 Californians are handicapped…MENTALLY

      Another 75% of them just suck.

      Report Post »  
    • dealer@678
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:34pm

      The Mexicans here in Dallas have perfected a way to get handicap tags. It burns my a$$ to watch a Mexican that speaks no engish crawl out of a brand new suv with 7 kids and hang a tag on her visor.

      Report Post »  
    • 101
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:34pm

      All leftwingnuts of California are handicapped “mentally” let them waddle in their socialist realism!

      Report Post »  
    • D0ntTread0nMe
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:35pm

      People who don‘t follow the law don’t care what impact it has on society… CASE IN POINT HERE RIGHT?
      http://www.mythoughtsfromthemiddle.blogspot.com

      Report Post » D0ntTread0nMe  
    • Multiple Arms
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:42pm

      The solution is so simple. Anyone walking to or from their vehicle should have their kneecap smashed. Now they are definitely CRIPPLED.

      Or charge every one for parking.

      Report Post »  
    • jzs
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:42pm

      The handicapped pay taxes just like the rest of us. Those taxes pay for the firefighters who put out fires in that building, the police that respond to problems in that building, the people who enforce building codes for the building and regulated to safety of food served there. The handicapped pay the same taxes to keep that building and the people in the building safe, so they should have equal access to that building, whatever that takes the owner.

      Report Post » jzs  
    • dealer@678
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 10:45pm

      Then they go in the store and pay with food stamps. Mexicans are leaches. Ask anybody from South America about the Mexicans

      Report Post »  
    • angelcat
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 11:11pm

      Think about how many liberals there are in California, then think about how many liberals feel shame or even believe in it. Does that answer your question?

      Report Post »  
    • USAMEDIC3008
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 11:17pm

      Jzs

      what

      Report Post » USAMEDIC3008  
    • coladude
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 11:23pm

      They should learn to not park there then.

      http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos

      Report Post »  
    • dealer@678
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 11:24pm

      JZS, Mexicans dont pay for anything you idiot. They have perfected a system to defraud Americans and i blame La Raza

      Report Post »  
    • tipodell
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 11:54pm

      What is needed is for the handicapped like me to pay for parking and for the people who are using the placards illegally to be fined the same as those. who are parking in designated spaces illegally. The cops need to enforce the parking laws.

      Report Post »  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 1:08am

      @USAMEDIC3008

      You beat me to it

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • Dustyluv
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 1:09am

      Its a stupid law to begin with. If businesses want the handicapped let them build ramps and parking places or not have their business. Its simple supply and demand…

      Or…Let the business owners do a citizens arrest and put the unhandicapped on television to shame them. Of course in California that wouldnt work…The lazy airheads have no shame and they would love to be on TV…

      Report Post »  
    • UpstateNYConservative
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 1:15am

      @jzs

      Your arrogant holier-than-thou pontifications don’t carry much weight. Even if you‘re somehow ’right’, you are so beneath the bar that only a Conservative saying the same thing will give that Con ‘credit’.

      Not YOU, in any way.

      Pffft!

      Report Post » UpstateNYConservative  
    • Robert-CA
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 1:52am

      Easy guys we still have some Patriots left in CA & I’m one of them .

      Report Post » Robert-CA  
    • UpstateNYConservative
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 2:05am

      @ jzs

      You’re just another pathetic, hopeless liberal that mouths off, but no one takes seriously. You, and the other trolls, are just ‘entertainment’. None of you, and YOU in particular, aren’t swaying a single mind to your view.

      You’re so lame, you couldn’t get a man to drink Chivas over Dewars, you’re such a loser.

      And you dare think you’re somehow cutting edge?

      Pffft!

      Report Post » UpstateNYConservative  
    • Captain Crunch
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 4:07am

      Abuse a handicap permit and get a $1000.00 manditory fine. That ought to cover the cost of city resources and manpower for the sting plus add to the treasury. If I risk a fine for illegally parking in a handicapped parking space, surely abusing and fraudently using the permit should be more severe.
      Personally I hate handicapped parking spaces but I understand some peoples need…that is until I watch them walk as well or better than me.

      Report Post »  
    • sodacrackers2
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 6:01am

      Unfortunately shame is no longer available in this country thanks to the “tolerant” progressives.

      Report Post »  
    • chazman
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 6:38am

      Handicapped or not, ya gotta pay to park … dumba$$!! Problem solved.

      Report Post »  
    • GODSAMERICA
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 7:40am

      @dealer@678
      If you’re talking about illegal mexicans then I am offended because you are insulting the leeches. LOL

      Report Post » GODSAMERICA  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 7:48am

      As a handicapped patriot stuck in California,the reason the law allows the hc to park in metered spots w/o paying is -it often takes the hc MUCH longer to do things. Example: Take grannie to the doctor: Park. Put money in meter. Unload wheelchair. Get grannie into wheelchair. Put her oxygen tank on the wheelchair. Lock the car. You have just used 15 minutes of the meter and still haven’t left the car. Now, you have to push her down three city blocks to the doctor’s office. (Another 30 minutes). Wait for an elevator. Push grannie down the hall to the doctor’s office door. Fumble with the door while you try to get her wheelchair through the auto-closing fire door (CA nanny state laws).
      Now she can wait to see the doctor. An hour later, the doctor’s visit is over.
      Now, she has to potty. You find a hc restroom, fight the fire doors (highly flammable porcelain fixtures?), & wait 15 min for the 8yr old playing in the only handicapped stall. Now you get to remove, empty, and replace her colostomy bag,
      Now you can repeat the entire wheelchair process of getting grannie back to the car and loaded into the car.
      Total? 3.5hrs
      Alone? 1.5hrs
      Most meters I know of allow up to two hours.
      The law was put in place because states issued far too many tickets to handicapped for expired meters.It was meant to ignore
      With new technology, handicapped should pay meters but get unlimited time.

      Doctors pass out far too many hc tags.

      It is ABUSED !

      CA, like FL has more hc than the

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • pavnvet
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 9:19am

      I had a choice of getting a placard or a plate with the international handicap symbol. I chose the plate and often don’t park in handicap parking. However, I did get yelled at by a guy when I parked in a non handicap space that was fairly close to the store. His comment? Why don’t you park in handicap, instead of taking up a good spot the rest of us can have? Some days you just can’t win.

      I

      Report Post » pavnvet  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 9:25am

      Too many fat asses getting handicap placards, when they should be getting “too fat to walk” placards. If you are too fat to walk, you should have your lips sewn together and eat from a straw. Let the REAL handicap people, the people who actually have trouble walking, park there and ride the carts. All I see in stores are huge, two-in-one persons drving the straining carts around the store, while people with canes have to try to get along without one, beecause all the fatties are using them.
      There needs to be a different placard given to fat people.
      I have shamed non-handicap people from parking in a handicap spot and is a pet peeve for me. I am 42% disabled, but will give a handicap spot to someone who needs it more than me, especially veterans, and that does not include fatties.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • right-wing-waco
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 9:34am

      @ Captain Crunch et al
      Not every disability is visible. When I walk very far, I get cramps in my feet and also pains in my hip. It doesn’t show all the time and I never know when it will happen. Overall this is a good law but like any law, it gets abused. I agree that anyone caught mis-using the placard should get fined. Here in Comi-Fornia the fine is pretty large. Just using a disabled space is several hundred $.

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    • The Big Pickle
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 11:15am

      I have noticed this happening alot in Wisconsin too. Everytime I go to the mall or the grocery store I see people without any physical handicap parking in these parking stalls. Usually it’s black women. I can’t figure out how or why these non handicap people have handicap parking stickers.

      The other day I watched a perfectly able bodied black woman get out of a car with a handicap sticker and she yelled at me

      “why da hell you mugging me, White boy!”

      I found out that “mugging me” is ebonics for looking at someone. Anyhoo…I replied that I was just trying to figure out her handicap. She snorted something else that wasn’t in my english vocabulary and then waddled into the grocery store.

      Report Post » The Big Pickle  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 2:26pm

      .
      “Parking Abuse Is Costing Cash-Strapped Calif. ‘Millions’”
      BULL!
      It’s not their money. How does it COST them a penny?
      If you want to argue that they didn’t confiscate as much as before, I’ll accept that.
      I hate this attitude that ALL money belongs to the government, and somehow the part you keep is costing the government.!
      Here’s a concept…………..Earn the money, I had to.

      Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
    • cstcomputers
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 2:48pm

      Hey Chips I think you’re whistling past the graveyard. I live in Oregon, and I lived in LA in the late 70′s, and Oregon is starting to display some of the same signs that LA did then. I call it the creeping brown from South to North. Where’d you move??? Australia???

      Report Post » cstcomputers  
    • M-O-O-N Spells Moon
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 3:50pm

      We also seem to have similar issues with abuse here in Washington state. I often see people getting out of their cars, in disabled spaces and displaying the tags, and then watch them walk easier than I can. And yet I am almost embarassed to hang one from my rearview mirror when I drive one of my parents to their appointments. Maybe they need to teach ethics again?

      Report Post » M-O-O-N Spells Moon  
    • RepublicAnn
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 4:05pm

      It’s an easy fix. Don’t make the parking free. Accessibility is one thing, but why free? I’m tired of subsidizing every group that can enough people to support a politician getting elected to get laws passed in their favor. I don’t mind walking farther while I can still walk. I do mind paying for a service while someone else gets it for free. I do mind being limited to the length of time I can park, when someone who doesn’t have to pay is not subject to the limits. And let’s be real, parking meters are set up to collect money for the government (by being able to ticket you, not collect the parking fee) and create union jobs (those people who write the tickets, process the tickets, tow your car, see you in court, etc.), there is no other reason.

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