I was in Salisbury yesterday and when the business I was conducting was over, stopped by the Wal-Mart on Rte. 13, across from Target, PetSmart et al. Not doing much shopping there…being a Delaware resident with the opportunity to shop with no sales tax…I was pleasantly surprised to see specific ‘handicapped’ parking for vans. These are few and far between though much needed. However, I was equally dismayed to see each one taken by a car. As far as I could tell they did have special tags…a couple actually licence tags, one had the transferrable style hanging from the mirror but I couldn’t help thinking…inasmuch as those who need such spaces gripe about non-disabled parking in their slots…and I might add with every justification…seems to me those car occupants weren’t thinking of others, either. The signs clearly read “Parking for vans”. Presumably for vans with wheelchair portability and, presumably, the disabled occupants of the cars while deserving of their sticker, tag etc. were still at least able to walk and not in need of a wheelchair for mobility.
With the exception of van only parking spaces, it’s almost impossible to exit a wheelchair from a specially equipped van in a regular handicapped spot. Most are side-entry…it’s rare to see a rear entry/exit for a wheelchair on a van though I’m not sure why we don’t use this option more often. I do know, though, from when I bought such a van that option was not offered or even suggested to me. Take into account that the lift must have space in which to be lowered…most handicapped parking spaces don’t allow for anything close to the space required and the odd occasion they might, not taken into account is the additional space needed for the wheelchair occupants legs and feet which often extend past the end of the ramp…and then the chair has to be turned in order to move on. Most often it’s impossible. Using most of such spaces available was impossible for me. My husband was 6′ tall, in a specially built wheelchair…if the alloted space once the ramp was down was barely enough then there was no way I could turn and get him off the ramp. My only solution was to find two regular parking spots together, park straddling the dividing line. And they were usually at the far end of the parking lots where no-one, healthy or otherwise, wished to park. Those spaces I saw yesterday were perfect. Either if one parked head-in or parallel. But cars took up every one I saw. The occupant can get out and walk the short distance from any regular disabled parking space…why be so inconsiderate or selfish as to use the spaces they did. Apparently more shopping areas are giving thought to providing spaces for a needful minority who depend upon other means of mobility to get around. Those who would be the first to complain about those being inconsiderate enough to take their standard handicapped spot need to do some thinking and afford the same consideration for others.
Just witnessed the same thing the other day.
Car pulled up into a disabled parking bay, quite young, no disabilities, and walked all the way to the supermarket.
He did have a sticker but I am guessing it was issued for his Mum or Dad. This is abusing the sysytem.
Also noticed at our local hospital recently that one car had parked in between parking bays and did not get a ticket.
Other patients and vsistors had to drive round and round to find one of the few parking spaces available. Disabled vans aside, I think a penalty out to be handed out to anyone who knows they have parked one car in two parking spaces.
We see a fair bit of that practice here, Annied…one car straddling two spaces…and I’ve noticed it usually seems to be someone with a new car (or perhaps just new to them??). No excuse…of course a proud owner of a brand new car doesn’t want scratches and nicks in the paint work, first crack out of the whip but the perfect solution is…take your new new car to the far end of the parking lot where nobody is parked (or wants to park) then walk back. The exercise is good for you…so is the fresh air and if it happens to be raining? You won’t melt…promise! Here we also have closer, specially marked spots for pregnant women. Devil’s advocate here…in one sense I can understand it…maybe. In another, no…exercise is very beneficial to women in all stages of pregnancy; two…what is the reason for giving them such proximity to a mall, not having to walk ’so far in their condition’ when, in fact, we’ve all seem them traipsing the malls for hours, shopping, browsing (and their condition hasn’t changed!). Please, please, please…leave the handicapped spaces for those who REALLY need it. You never know…and God forbid…one day you may be very grateful to someone has left one open for you because of your change of circumstance and needs.