Save Yourself $1000...
By twoey68
@twoey68 (13627)
United States
August 28, 2009 10:02am CST
Well, it’s been about a year since I told my Mom about the new law I read about concerning handicapped parking spaces. She’s been really diligent about not parking in them either, I don’t even have to remind her anymore.
The law (I forget which states started it) is that if you park in a handicapped space without having the proper tag, hanging card or being handicapped, you get a $1000.00 fine for it. I’m not sure if our state, Missouri, has the law but I told my Mom about it anyways and she decided that it wasn’t worth it to have to pay that rather than walk a little more. I think it’s great that she doesn’t do it anymore.
Do you use handicapped parking even if your not supposed to? Would knowing you might get a fine that big stop you from doing it? Have you ever needed one and they were taken by other ppl that didn’t need it?
[b]**AT PEACE WITHIN**
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~[/b]
17 people like this
49 responses
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
28 Aug 09
Hi ya twoey68
Well here in the UK you would definatly get fined for it if you are caught parking your vehicle in a disabled parking space if you don't have proof of disablility which is normally a sticker on the windscreen. The handicapped parking spaces are there for a reason and I wouldn't park there because it is for handicapped use and because I would get fined, I just wouldn't risk it, with my luck I would get caught lol 
@dlr297 (5409)
• United States
29 Aug 09
I have never used a handicapped parking space, I do not know if their is a fine here in Tennessee but i would not like to find out the hard way. and some of the spaces that are not handicapped are not really that much farther away, and the extra walk is good for us.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
28 Aug 09
hi twoey i dont drive but if I did and I wasnt handicapped I'would'not parkin handicapped parking and wouldnt need a fine to stop me as I'would feel it morally wrong. but i am handicapped and myu friend'nelda often take me to the store so we hand mysign on her car and she can then park in handicapped are so i do not have to hobble miles and can handle the distance. also people should not judgethose wwho do have a sign hanging whereit belongs and dont look handicappedfor they are believe me, all handicaps are not instantly
seen but if you are around them you willsee or hear the handicap.so dontjudge as you dont know what their handicap is.
1 person likes this
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
29 Aug 09
Hi twoey68,
I am disable and I have a special card which I have to display it on the windscreen whern we park the car in the disable parking space, but for some reason my hubby keeps forgetting to park his car there when I'm with him and I have to tell him off, he always says does it matter when I am struggling so now I don't go to do shopping with him anymore but just give him a shopping list and lests him go on his own.
Tamara
1 person likes this
@PeacefulWmn9 (10420)
• United States
29 Aug 09
I never did this, ever, and yes, it bothers me when those who do not need them, take the parking spaces just for convenience or out of laziness. A number of times, I have needed one that was taken...no ID on the vehicle that allowed it to be there.
My license plate has the handicap permission picture right on it. Even then, on a good day, I leave those spaces for ones who might need them more than I do on those days.
So many things in life boil down to simple respect and courtesy that some people just blow off, and I think that is sad!
Karen1 person likes this
@JoyfulOne (6232)
• United States
28 Aug 09
I have a handicap window plaque and it just irritates me to no end to see somebody parked in one that doesn't have one in their window. It's nice to know that some places are actually fining them for doing this. I never planned on being unable to walk far, so that close space is really a blessing. Last time I went to the store I saw an person grab the space with their car, which had no handicap sticker or plaque on it. This young person hops out (and I do mean hop) and runs into the building. Me? I had to wait at the other end of the parking lot until a handicap space became available. I suppose I could have tried to walk from the other end of the parking lot, but only if I wanted to visit with the 911 crew lol. I find able-bodied people taking those spaces lots of times, and it's so unfair to those of us who really need it.
1 person likes this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
28 Aug 09
Our fine here is $250. We have a handicap tag for my son. If he is not with me, we do not use it, but there are alot of people who do. We have needed one, because we have a ramp in our van, so we cannot park just anywhere, and at times have had to take the very last spot next to the end of the parking lot, just so we could use the ramp, to get my son out.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
28 Aug 09
I have never in my life parked in a handicapped space, not even when I was driving with someone what had a portable placard. That was because the placard was for that person's family member, not for her, and she wasn't supposed to use it for her own shopping trips, although when she was driving, she did. Not in my car, she didn't. It is not just about the fine, but what if someone with a real disability needed the space? I do, however, use the handicapped stall in the ladies room if the others are filled and there is no line, but I am quick about it.
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30959)
• United States
28 Aug 09
No I don't. I did once without realizing. It was late at nite and the sign was up on the building. It was snowing and no one else was in the parking lot. I was in a hurry and didn't look up. I came out to a cop waiting for me. It was a local cop and I got a 50.00 fine. He said it would have been much higher had it been a state cop. That being said...I have this handicapped neighbor in the complex that I live at. He has a spot designated just for him and yet he consistently parks in the spot next to it. I don't know what to do about it but it irritates me. One night I came home and had to park quite a distance from my apt and it was pouring & I had a lot of stuff to carry. There he was in the wrong spot and there his spot sat....empty. Had I parked there, I'd have been hit with a fine. I left him a nice note and for a time it worked. Now he is right back at it. It's messed up.
1 person likes this
@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
28 Aug 09
HI twoey...I never use those spaces because I had a grandmother who did have much trouble walking and needed a cane. She did have a sticker and needed to have a space as close to the store as possible.
1 person likes this
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
28 Aug 09
I would never park in a handicapped area. Its just not right if you are not handicapped. I know people do it but I think those people don't care about the handicapped. What happens if you park there an then a legimate handicapped person comes along and there are no more spots. That would be plain rude and not caring about others.
1 person likes this
@Sweetchariot (1718)
• United States
28 Aug 09
My mother has a handicapped card, because she does walk with a cane at 89 yrs old. However, my mother doesn't drive, so she carries it with her, and when we take her around, to do shopping or doctors, we hang it on our rearview mirror. Some people do look at us funny, as I get out of the car with no problem, but then when they see my mother, they get embarrassed.
I will say that in some businesses there are so many handicapped parking places that it leaves the uncrippled no place to park. And some of the business, I can't even imagine a handicapped person going there.
1 person likes this
@canadamom (71)
• United States
28 Aug 09
As a driver helping two handicap grandmas in tow THANK YOU very much for leaving those spaces for us. Last weekend had both with 2 wheelchairs. What a relief to find a close spot. Thanks! And to those wanting to do a good deed..... and want to experience the motor carts at some stores but yet are healthy beings.... do a good deed and hop on and drive it back into the store for the next person when you find one left in a parking lot. That way it will not get rained on or stolen from the parking lot.
@AmbiePam (93898)
• United States
28 Aug 09
I guess she really didn't want to walk! No, I've never parked in a handicap parking space. It never would occur to me to do that. I've known too many people who actually need those spaces. I have a couple of people in my family who are handicapped. I am elgible for one, but I don't want one nor will I ever apply for one. I can walk even if it is painful. I don't want to take a space that someone needs more than I do.
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
20 Sep 09
Wow! That is a steep fine but, hopefully, will deter people with no card or plate from parking in a handicapped spot. The fine here in IL was recently raised from $250 to $500. Most people are pretty good at obeying the law but I have reported a few that thought they were better than others and resulted in them getting fines. My hubby has the parking placard and uses it if we are using his truck but sometimes forget to bring it with if I'm driving my car.
@jezzmay (1845)
• United States
2 Sep 09
I have a tag to use the space. I do get
upset if someone uses it that is not
suppose to. When they do this it does
not leave a space for those who have a
tag to use it.
Have a great day.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
12 Sep 09
Hubby and I both have handicapped privileges for we're both disabled. Yes, I did need one one time and all were taken but don't know if were taken by the people who didn't need it except for one time in Arkansas. One space opened up and I went around to get it but this big ole truck got it before I could and four guys got out and walked in the store just fine. It really ticked me off big time that I wrote a note telling them how I felt about them doing it when I am handicapped and it was obvious that they weren't and that I was going to report them. I did report them but the police said they can't do anything about it unless they see it for themselves and I pointed them in the right direction because it was right next door! Needless to say, I never saw that truck again!
@Carpathian (582)
• United States
17 Sep 09
I don't mind that some ppl that need them use them. What I do mind is the ppl that use them but don't need them. Like the one's that have relatives that use them and get a ride from the family member. Then, the family member will use it and the one who owns the sign is not even in the car or store but at home. I seen teenagers use the sign, and the sign belongs to the girls grandmother. It is just in the family car for when the mother drives the grandmother to the store and places. I think the girl should get a fine if granny is not with her. I think if the handicapped person is not in the car then the sign should not be in use or fine the person if they use it. Don't use things that are not your!!! Then, others who need them can't use them.
**Peace and Love get's you through everything in Life**
@scififan43 (2434)
• United States
1 Sep 09
I have never parked in a handicap parking space excect for one time a long time ago. my car broke down and I hae to call for a tow truck and get it. I had no choice to park in a haidcap spot but it was on a gov. facility at the time and I did not have to wory about any peoblems. I am concious not to park in a handicap spot. i would much rather park a long way and walk to the entrece of the store. I ussaly never need to park in a handicap spot but I have recently rode in a car with a handi cap passenger.
