Caughtya™
A "Hall of Shame" to expose cars parked illegally
in disability or mobility parking spaces.
A "Hall of Shame" to expose cars parked illegally
in disability or mobility parking spaces.
A visitor sent me an email a few weeks ago, suggesting that it would be better if we confronted people people and asked them if they had simply forgotten to put their parking permit off, rather than just taking a photo of their car and posting it on the site. This, on the surface, is not a bad idea, but when you look at it a bit deeper, there are some immediate problems that come to mind.
The first thing, of course, is that the vehicle's driver is not usualy around their vehicle. It's not practicable to hang around and wait, as the driver may be in the store for a few minutes, or a few hours.
Then, there's the fact that asking people is, in most cases, pointless. Over the years, I've made it a practice to ask people when I had occasion to do so. In general, they don't bother responding. In some cases, they are apolegetic and pull out a parking permit. Some other times, they lie. And in some other cases, they turn downright aggressive.
A few days ago, I asked a man if he had forgotten to display his permit. He looked at me, spat, and said "It's there". Only, it wasn't anywhere to be seen. I even had a good look, as good as I could, on the seat of their car, floorboard, and sidepocket (I was looking through the window of course).
Not too long ago, asking a woman if she had forgotten her permit, she didn't say anything but made a rather eloquent, and quite rude, gesture.
So, yes, it's a good idea in theory to ask if people have simply forgotten to put their parking permit up, but it's definitely not something to rely on.
[tags]Disability, Parking, Permit[/tags]
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This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 31st, 2007 and is filed under Drive-by.
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Tags:
Disability, Parking, Permit
Comment by: Webmaster
Well, it's not because you don't see a sign in the photo that there wasn't one. That said, even if there was no sign, the parking space is clearly marked and designated as a disability parking space, through markings on the ground. The lack of "proper" signage does not mean the space is not a
Comment by: wut
I don't see a sign, therefor the handicap space is not valid.
Comment by: Webmaster
I do think that increased fines would make a big difference. However, the fines are really only applicable on "public" property. Anything in a store carpark, or university, it's all deemed private property and traffic warden are not allowed to ticket there... *that* would be an important change to allow.
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You're so right that's it's problematic. I've only had the nerve to approach one person with my disabled son in tow, just so the offender could see I had reason to be challenging him. He was politely argumentative, "My girlfriend's in the store and she's only going to be a few minutes..." but I kept on and he moved. Result. The next time I approached someone was at the gym that I'd noticed parked in one of the disabled bays. He was a beefy looking bloke - the picture of body-building health and his response was, "What's it got to do with you?" Had I been with my son, I'm sure I'd have had more clout. I instantly reported him to the management. I hope they gave him hell! I've noticed that RIIIKY P in his fancy blue sports car often parks in the disabled bay at the gym. I've tried to get a photo but it's too unclear. I'll get one and post it hear. My husband complained to the management who put a call out over the tannoy for the owner of this car but he never approached the desk. The last infraction I spotted was a family of 4 and the father looked rough, I just didn't dare say anything. I've posted it on the site as I got an awesome photo.
I had an issue when someone approched my family and said we should be ashamed of ourselves for parking in a handicap space. My husband is in need of a transplant and sometimes gets very weak walking in the store. I told him he needed to look up what the word handicap means. Yes there are people out there who do take advantage of the use. But I do not feel my husband has to defend himself by using the spot. He has much right to go the store as anyone else. When he has a good day he uses a regular spot.
Carrie, I am sorry that your husband is in bad health. Unfortunately, the parking spaces are reserved for people who have a valid parking permit. If your husband's health warrants it, it should not be overly difficult to get a permit for him to use when he has bad days.
you all need to get a life!!!
ALL persons parking in handicap zones are handicapped
get an applycation peope who need one and take to your doctor.
bummer is i see so many big truck and suv,s you have to clime upa latter to get in .or you msee some guy jump out 2 feet nand run in aan get a soda comeon
and when they come out you know in your heart theres nothing wrong -
you wonder who,/what kind of doctor would sign
sign quadriplegic 3/4
many people use family members plaquards wrong
I am a disabled Vet and have ben so for many years.
On a Recebt vacation to Mexico My wife and I rented a scooter, and fell in love with it. When we returned we bought a scooter that would carry us around town. I have disability plates on my car. When I registered my scooter/motorcycle I inquired about Handicaped plates and was told to call the state moter vehicle dept.
When I called I was assured I could get them for my scooter. So I sent in the info and recieved my Handicapped plate for the scooter. You would not believe the looks I get from everyone including Police when i PULL INTO A HANDICAP PARKING SPOT AND GET OFF AND OPEN THE SEAT AND GET OUT MY CANE AND WOBBLE AWAY.
A few people have given me grief but all I do is point to the lisence plate.
Look at this anyway you want to but in my condition I could ride a scooter but i cannot walk more than a few feet and I need to sit ot get into a wheelchair.
Thanks for reading this and have a great day.
Hey Big Daddy! Thanks for piping in. I think it's good and important to remind people that there are all kind of disabilities which are all valid and genuine reasons for disability parking permits, and that one's disability doesn't mean one can't use a scooter, or a motor bike.
My wife has had MS for 25 years; visually she looks fine, even un-handicapped. Physically, a 25 ft. walk into a grocery store in the Florida sun can leave her tired and even disoriented for hours.
She has been accused of using a family plate, when it was for her. She often gets comments and dirty looks when using a handicapped space. She does have a permit.
Hello Greg, you're right, there are many "invisible" disabilities that require one to park near the entrance. It is why caughtya.org focuses only on those people who don't have a permit displayed. We advocate not to make a judgement call on whether or not a parking permit is valid. It may appear "obvious" that someone is abusing the permit, but unless we are that person's doctor, we have no way to tell. I wrote something about it here:
http://caughtya.org/drive-by/2006/08/dont-throw-baby-out-with-the-bathwater.html
Mike, it's not a question of being rude. It's simple, really, particularly if you don't have a visible disability. If someone parks in a disability parking space but doesn't display their parking permit, then I think it's fine to ask them if they forgot to display their permit. There's a difference between saying "are you really entitled to that permit?", which we do not condone, or saying "did you forget to display your permit?" and if they don't have one, ask them, politely, to go elsewhere.
Surely you encounter the same problems as we all do, that disability parking spaces are abused, meaning you are unable to use the spaces you need. This community monitoring of parking spaces is for your benefit as well as anyone else who has a valid disability parking permit.