Love the idea! I can't count the number of times I've been unable to get into
my van because someone parked in the yellow-striped access area. Even
non-handicapped people (on a motorcycle) think its parkable and policemen will
not ticket someone with a placard parked there (I've asked them to, as they
helped push my van out so I could put my ramp down).
One woman who left me waiting in the rain until she returned was adamant about
her right to park there (with her handicap placard), saying a policeman had
told her it was ok to park there if/when there are no other handicap spots
available. Another (able-bodied) guy said without apology, "don't get me
started, my wife has Lou Gherig's disease," like that gave him the right to
park anywhere in a handicapped zone (she was nowhere in site). Another guy
with a placard and no discernible handicaps ('cept for being +300lbs) actually
said, "you handicapped people think you're so special." I could go on. I was
never anything but respectful in all encounters, but what I usually got in
return was far, far from it. I guess that reflects the type of people that
would park in a space that clearly isn't one.
________________________________
From: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 4:18:55 PM
Subject: [QUAD-L] Bill targets handicapped parking violators
A rapid enforcement program of violations and fines, will pay off the
National Debt, in just under 3 years.
Within 4 years, we could pave our highways with yellow bricks too.
Let's get the program in gear!
Best Wishes
W
In a message dated 1/19/2009 1:53:00 P.M. Central Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:
http://www.charleston.net/news/2009/jan/19/bill_targets_handicapped_parking_violato68834/
Bill targets handicapped parking violators
BY JILL COLEY (CONTACT)
The Post and Courier
Monday, January 19, 2009
Special Section:
Watchdog
People use handicap placards that don't belong to them. Drivers park in the
striped access aisles next to designated spaces. And confusion abounds over
who is responsible for catching violators.
"There's a continual problem of people abusing handicap placards, parking in
spaces without a placard or having a placard they're not entitled to," said
Sen. Vincent Sheheen of Camden.
Sheheen and Sen. Dick Elliott of North Myrtle Beach, both Democrats,
introduced a bill last week to create more accountability in the process of
acquiring a placard. The state Senate already has passed the legislation
twice, but the bill stalled in the House both times, Sheheen said.
Angela Jacildone, state advocacy manager for the mid-Atlantic chapter of the
National Multiple Sclerosis Society, said record keeping is part of the
problem.
"There's a disconnect between the forms from the DMV and the physician who
writes the prescription (for the placard)," Jacildone said.
A Watchdog report earlier this year found the Department of Motor Vehicles
does not record physicians' information, leaving no way to check whether a
physician actually filled out the form. The bill would connect those dots with
a form that will stay on file with the DMV.
The proposed law also would redefine a person with a disability.
"The current law may not include a person with Multiple Sclerosis because they
may not look like they have a disease," she said. Many people with MS suffer
fatigue, which worsens throughout the day.
And finally, the legislation would connect the person and the placard with an
identification card, which law enforcement personnel could look at and match.
Although not part of the proposed law, the MS society would like to see more
clarification in the law regarding who has jurisdiction for enforcement.
"Some agencies will tell us they will go to business parking lots. Others say
it's private property," Jacildone said.
"We would also like to see more language about access aisles," she said.
Cars sometimes park in the striped areas next to designated spaces. That aisle
is necessary for a person with a disability to get in and out of their
wheelchair or scooter.
Reach Jill Coley at 937-5719 or [email protected].
________________________________
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