by Michael S. Kaplan, published on 2005/02/28 12:51 -08:00, original URI: http://blogs.msdn.com/michkap/archive/2005/02/28/381837.aspx
WARNING: No technical content, though I am technically a little pissed
A few months ago, I was in my scooter riding some my recyclables over to the large bins in my apartment complex. It is easy to scoot right over there, recyclables in the back basket of the scooter, and dump them in there.
The space right next to the bins is a handicapped spot. I know because back before I had the scooter I used to drive the stuff over, and I always loved that I could park there when I dumped the stuff (yes, I do have the proper state-issued disabled parking placard).
Anyway, there was a car parked there, tightly enough that I could not even squeeze myself in to get to the bin, let alone the scooter. Not the end of the world, but I noticed that the person had no disabled parking placard or license plate. Same thing for the car next to them (which was not blocking me, but it was yet another handicapped space being illegally parked in).
I'm generally not one to raise a fuss (I'm still getting used to the whole disability thing), so I turned around and figured I'd try my luck another day.
Time passes, and every time I come home I look over there I see that these folks are still parked there. And it is the same cars. I am starting to get mad.
Did I mention that the two cars who seem to be the reqgular offenders here both have current Microsoft parking permits? Don't even gt me started on how obnoxious I think that is.
Anyway, I finally scoot down to the main office for the complex. I pick up the mail, then mention to the person there that there are people who are parking in the handicapped parking spots every day. Should I complain to them or to the Redmond police directly?
She asks me whether there are signs posted.
I have no earthly idea, so I scoot out there and look. No signs, just the pavement nicely painted with the little wheelchair dude. I scoot back and pass this on.
She explains to me that the law in Washington is such that if there is no sign then the police can neither ticket nor tow. They cannot even give a warning.
Hmmmm.
I checked later, she was right. In RCW 46.61.582:
A parking space or stall for a disabled person shall be indicated by a vertical sign, between thirty-six and eighty-four inches off the ground, with the international symbol of access, whose colors are white on a blue background, described under RCW 70.92.120 and the notice "State disabled parking permit required."
Failure of the person owning or controlling the property where required parking spaces are located to erect and maintain the sign is a class 2 civil infraction under chapter 7.80 RCW for each parking space that should be so designated. The person owning or controlling the property where the required parking spaces are located shall ensure that the parking spaces are not blocked or made inaccessible, and failure to do so is a class 2 civil infraction.
That's all it says -- no sign, then its not a handicapped spot.
So I ask this person at the office whether these spaces are being repurposed, and she assures me they are not. Its just that the signs are expensive.
Double hmmmm.
At this point I start to complain a bit more and point out the fact that there are actually laws about this sort of thing (there are -- RCW 70.92.140, for example).
They sober up quickly enough on that one and finally agree to get a couple of signs (one outside where my apartment is, one next to the recycle bin), leaving the other three "faux handicapped" spaces in their FAUX state, since signs are expensive.
One of those two spaces where the two cars used to park still has a car in it every day. It seems to be one of those same two cars (I guess they are fighting for "their" space). Maybe I should start posting license plates and descriptions. Or maybe I should consider the handicap of their lack of decency as one that entitles them to park there? I hope they are contingent staff and their contracts don't get renewed. Most people at Microsoft are a lot nicer.
I realize that by posting this I may be enabling a whole new crowd of jerks to start taking advantage of this particular loophole, but I hope that people can perhaps be a little better than that. They can rise above their technical right to park in a parking space and see that it is marked on the pavement as a handicapped spot. And at least tey to respect that....
There is currently no HANDICAPPED SYMBOL in Unicode, though it would have loved to have been the sponsor.
# William Sullivan on Monday, February 28, 2005 1:28 PM:
# Matthew W. Jackson on Monday, February 28, 2005 2:00 PM:
# Zach Glazer on Monday, February 28, 2005 2:04 PM:
# Michael Kaplan on Monday, February 28, 2005 2:08 PM:
# Scott on Monday, February 28, 2005 2:32 PM:
# Michael Kaplan on Monday, February 28, 2005 2:34 PM:
# Dean Harding on Monday, February 28, 2005 2:37 PM:
# Serge Wautier on Monday, February 28, 2005 3:21 PM:
# Draco on Tuesday, March 01, 2005 2:48 AM:
# Michael Kaplan on Tuesday, March 01, 2005 2:50 AM:
# Simon Montagu on Tuesday, March 01, 2005 4:18 AM:
# Michael Kaplan on Tuesday, March 01, 2005 4:41 AM:
# Marty Garins on Tuesday, March 01, 2005 6:40 AM:
# Michael Kaplan on Tuesday, March 01, 2005 6:43 AM:
# Larry Osterman on Tuesday, March 01, 2005 12:33 PM:
# Michael Kaplan on Tuesday, March 01, 2005 2:37 PM:
# Shannon on Thursday, November 29, 2007 10:16 AM:
First I have to say that my father is terminally ill and uses a handicap sign for easier access into buildings. I would never intentionally park in a handicap spot.
I live in Redmond, WA. Last night I went a store on Redmond Way and parked in the Value Village parking lot. The spot I parked in did not have a sign posted. It was dark and rainy out and I did not see a sign on the ground. I parked and went into the store.
When I came out I had a $550.00 ticket for parking in a handicap spot. Once I pulled out of the spot I had to pull up along side of the spot I had parked in and open my door to even see the sign painted on the parking stall.
I have to thank you for posting this blog. It will truly help me when I go to court. Please do not think I am a person to take advantage of the information that you provided. It angers me when I see people take advantage of others disabilities.
Remember Jesus is the Reason for the Season
# The Occasional Handicaped on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 1:06 PM:
I have a mirror placard that is temporary (6 mo.) Even though I have the legal permit to park in handicap spaces at any time I only park in them when my Chemotherapy (cancer) and/or Fibromyalgia are really bad.
I was really hurting one day when I had to go get some meds from the store and some guy pulled into the only remaining HC spot near the door and I didn't see ANY HC sticker or placard so I waited to see what he would do. Turns out this high school kid jumps out and runs in for something, so I parked RIGHT Behind him and waited for him to come out before I slowly got out of my car and limped, hurting and sick into the store. I took my time and when I came out there was a tow truck about to hook up MY car!
I called the police and HE got a $1800.00 ticket for his 4th offense and his car impounded (he was towed as I later found out in court because he failed to pay the first 3 tickets). I went to court and he got his license suspended for 90 days as well.
Stand up! Don't be afraid! Punish the jerks that think they own the road AND the parking lot!
TOH
# Little Fitz on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 2:24 PM:
I will take on the City of Sequim, WA and see if I can get our Handicapped parking problem corrected. All payment handicapped signs should also have the vertical sign in front of the space.
Wish me luck !
# Yamini on Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:01 PM:
Shannon, can you tell me if you did successully contest the $550 ticket? I am in the exact same situation and it happened right in my apartment complex. My id is yamini.j@gmail.com
# Carry Stewart on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 7:04 PM:
William your comments are very offensive to the handicapped. You can not always see the reason someone has handicapped parking. Let's say a heart conditions or arthritis genius!!!
The only person here that is truly handicapped is you William, because you are stupid
# john j on Saturday, September 06, 2008 7:18 PM:
if i have a handycap parking permit do you get half off the cost of camping spot in a state park
# Michael S. Kaplan on Saturday, September 06, 2008 11:18 PM:
Laws don't require it and usually it does not happen, but there is no rule against it, either....
# Crabman on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 9:44 AM:
After 2 1/2 months since breaking my leg, and now able to drive and get to the stores, I find it so offensive that 90 % of the people I see using the HC spots had no obvious reason to use them. On most occasions, there are no spots left at the grocery store and the people just walk in. I'm sure there are some that truely need the spots, like my mother that has real trouble walking and tends to fall easily, but come on...... And just to set the record straight I am on crutches still, and as soon as I am able to walk with my boot alone, I will not need special parking.
# squickpeep on Monday, May 18, 2009 6:49 AM:
I broke my leg a few years ago, and to make a long story short, due to a doctor's error, I am permanantly handicapped. My ankle was fused about a year after, and at this point, is in very bad shape, and will only get worse. I also have fibromyalgia, and multiple severe back problems. I have had one back surgery, and currently need another, but due to the severity of my problems, am having a hard time finding someone who wants to do the operation. I had a temporary placard for a while, and just recently got a perm one. I also take offense that you would assume someone doesn't genuinely need it, even though you see no walking devices or injuries. A lot of things you can't see. I am in a tremendous amout of pain all the time, and also have two children under 2. I get very annoyed when someone who isn't handicapped, i.e. jumping out, running, etc. I can hide my handicaps a lot, so you may not be able to tell by looking at me, but I would not be able to do those things. I know a lot of people take advantage of a relative's placard, and some people park there while waiting for someone! I think that is ridiculous, taking up a HC space when they aren't even getting out, where there is plenty of room to drop off and pick up.
# squickpeep on Monday, May 18, 2009 6:54 AM:
And, CRABMAN, my ankle trouble all started with a severe break in my leg. It is nice you don't use the spots unless you have to, but I think 90% is a bit of a high estimate. I usually check when people are parked or are parking, and most of them are legit. You probably wouldn't think I needed it if you saw me, but you would be oh so wrong. I am 35 next month, and my husband is 53, also with physical problems, but not to the point of needing a handicap space. Even though he is almost 20 years older than me, he only parks in the handicap spaces when I am with him. Otherwise, he parks in a regular spot, even if it is a good distance away, and he has pain/back issues as well.
# squickpeep on Monday, May 18, 2009 6:57 AM:
I recently went to a very busy 7 11 where all spots were full, including the one handicap one. I went in, and the line went to the back of the store. I asked if whoever was in the HC spot to move, as we had a legit placard. He waits and waits before going out, and I had asked my hubby to park behind him. Finally he goes out, and my hubby had decided to move into a spot as it opened. So, he comes back in without moving his car, and I felt really stupid. He got away with it and I looked like a fool.
# CJ on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 7:52 PM:
I was sited $250.00 in Silverdale Washington for violating the handicap restrictions. My placard fell off the mirror when we were getting my terminally ill daughter's wheelchair tie downs and seatbelt off her chair to unload her. My van has a pass through to get to the back. This was not a disregard for the law. (She was there to see the physical therapist at Harrison Hospital.) I drive a wheelchair accessable van and there is identification outside the van that states this information.You can clearly see there is a llift inside the van. My daughter has nursing care and both of us can see the blue card near the drivers seat (floor). The officer attached the citation on the drivers window so we were shocked the card was not seen. Granted it was not on the mirror as recommended but it was visable. I was told the officers drive through this parking lot at lunch looking for people to give citations to. How sad is it that this is done to our disabled and very ill members in our society? The very prople the law was set up to protect. Yes, we will get legal advice and we will contest this-but what happens to those who don't have those options and live on $600.00 per month of SSI? Do they not eat that month so they can pay a $250.00 fine?
# Michael S. Kaplan on Saturday, June 20, 2009 3:57 PM:
The circumstances alone are such that I'm reasonably sure they'd drop based on the perpetuation of the evidence....
# Ben on Monday, July 27, 2009 6:15 AM:
Stopped by the site while researching other issues, I need to comment regarding the WILLIAMS TYPE. Although it's clear case of abuse of disabled parking privilege, it's offensive by judging person in need of disabled parking privilege who is not VISIBLY disabled. Someone dropped a note into my car once, 'you look good and healthy............leave the place to disabled......bad judgement'; Another time, a lady walked all the way and said 'you are not in a wheelchair'...I can tell you I walk with some amount of pain, with a little unbalance. There is blue(permanent) disabled placard hang on in the car, a walking cane used whenever needed, and noticeable specially licensed plate with ' Disabled Veteran' in the bottom (where 'Evergreen State' for regular plates). Still, many people acted with insensitivies, ignorance, or simply stupidities.
Hey, if you are really mad at others' privilege, you may kick your wall and get one tomorrow...Or, think before act...
referenced by
2007/12/02 A whole heap o' handicapped parking issues I've been saving up
2006/03/13 Progress on the handicapped parking issue
2006/03/05 That handicapped placard