You are parked in a space clearly designated for disabled persons

[wheelinround]

You are parked in a space clearly designated for disabled persons. Please circle the statement which best describes your handicap : 1 - I don't read good.
2 - I suffer from terminal laziness.
3 - I have Attention Deficit Disorder. Huh?
4 - My inner child was bugging me for ice cream.
5 - My shoes are too expensive to walk in.
6 - Wheelchair symbol? I thought it was a rocking chair!
7 - My religion forbids acts of common courtesy.
8 - I ignore OTHER laws, why not this one?
9 -I AM disabled... by a painfully swollen ego.

[echnidna]

10. I knew you wanted to park here - see I beat ya!

[dennford]

I don't have a disabled parking permit - even when I had a hip replacement and was asked to apply, I refused. However they are there for people who really are disabled and I only wish that the local authorities would come down on those that park illegaly.

In my observations - which may or may not be indicative of general behaviour, I believe that the biggest problem is unfortunately those people who should know better. That is Spouses, friends etc of a disabled person who use the permit as thier own, using it when the holder is not travelling with them. Don't they realise that the permit holder is the one who will suffer?


Denn

[Pusser]

Sometime ago I heard and interview on the ABC local channel an interview with a policeman from the UK. The story was that in one county in the UK they decided that anyone so anti social as to park in a disabled persons parking place was probably capable of other anti social behaviour. Checking on the owners of the cars they found several wanted persons and persons who had other outstanding infringements. They claimed the population contained a significantly higher proportion of villains (major and minor) than the normal population. Apparntly the practice of double checking spread. Ever since I heard it I have wondered about the cars parked in those spots.

[dazzler]

11. I am actively fighting against discrimination by making disabled people just like everyone else

[wheelinround]

11. I am actively fighting against discrimination by making disabled people just like everyone else

you know this makes more sense then you may realize I have always advocated that if spaces were all made wider there would be no need for special parking
I ask the question also why do mother with prams need special parking also.

[silentC]

even when I had a hip replacement and was asked to apply, I refused

It's a shame more people didn't think that way. I don't know how hard or easy it is to qualify, but there seem to be a lot of disabled people in our area who manage to play bowls and golf OK.

[macca2]

It's a shame more people didn't think that way. I don't know how hard or easy it is to qualify, but there seem to be a lot of disabled people in our area who manage to play bowls and golf OK.

In WA you need a doctor to fill out part of the application form stating your need for the Accrod sticker. I assume it is the same for the rest of Australia.

wheelin is correct when he says it is the width of the bay that is crucial. I have a roof mounted chair hoist and need the car door to open full width to unload. The distance from the shop entrance is not a big deal for me.

macca

[silentC]

Therein lies the problem.

For example, my MIL was able to get a sticker after a failed hip operation left her with a loss of feeling in one foot. This made it difficult for her to walk long distances, so because the disabled spots are usually close to the shop entrance or whatever, it saved her the discomfort of the longer walk. However I wonder how many times people like her were parked in a spot when someone who needed the room to move wanted to park.

I suppose I'm a bit harsh but I think that those spots should be reserved for people who have a practical need for them, rather than just to make things more convenient for people who have a bit of trouble walking.

BTW she has made a full recovery and now walks around with a walking stick.

[jerryc]

I like the UK solution posted by Pusser. In this world unfortunately justice is not common.
I have a totally rebuilt heart. New aortic valve, systolic valve rebuilt and a hole repaired. Spent six months in hospital with blood poisoning and so was a trifle weak when I came back to the world. I have never had a disabled sticker because my attitude was to get back to fitness but I have to say the selfish attitude of some is hard to bear.

What did amuse me was a trip to see a specialist a few days ago. The patients have to park where they can but the doctors parking is right outside the private hospital entrance. Obviously they do it for the good of the patients like me who need the exercise and in their noble self sacrifice are willing to risk health problems themselves.

[Vernonv]

What did amuse me was a trip to see a specialist a few days ago. The patients have to park where they can but the doctors parking is right outside the private hospital entrance. Obviously they do it for the good of the patients like me who need the exercise and in their noble self sacrifice are willing to risk health problems themselves.

Valid point ... but there's generally a flip side to these things ... what if you were in hospital with an urgent medical condition, waiting for the doctor to arrive, while said doctor was driving around looking for a parking spot?

I'm not a doctor, but I must say I do appreciate a car parking spot close to work.

[Bleedin Thumb]

I drive a Range Rover and as the panels are aluminium and dent easy I have to park in the disabled spots to keep my car looking good.

Trouble is those disabled people can get a bit narky sometimes...its a bit disconcerting as you walk away to hear the scratching sound of a key across Duco.

[Gingermick]

Gingerchick actually pulled up in one this morning while I was outside working waiting for her to drop something off when the bloke in my office in a wheel chair arrived.
Wheelin, parking spaces aren't made wider because you fit less in. Councils require parking conditions be met by new developers (according to AS something or other) and if the space were wider, they would need more roadway or land for their development.
I park my motorcycle near the rubbish bins at the side of the office.

[jerryc]

vernon,
Point I didn't make clear was that this area was for the doctors' rooms, not the medical hospital. Other point was the position was right outside the entrance. Even one row back would make a difference for some patients.
Though to be fair if you displayed a disabled sticker you could park a little closer. I did say I found the situation amusing but feel there is just a suspicion of status. Or am I being cynical?
Jerry

[chrisp]

The story was that in one county in the UK they decided that anyone so anti social as to park in a disabled persons parking place was probably capable of other anti social behaviour. Checking on the owners of the cars they found several wanted persons and persons who had other outstanding infringements.

Also, I seem to recall recently on one of those "reality" cop shows, that driving at night without headlights on is also a give-away that the driver is likely to be over the (alcohol) limit.