Handicap Parking Rant

[Katsmeow]

Think about it - if the driver isn't handicapped, they don't need to park close. They drop the person off, and then go park the car.

Not necessarily. When my mom was staying with us before her death, we drove her home from the hospital. There was no just dropping her off. She had a walker but couldn't possibly get out of the car without a lot of help. It took the efforts of both DH and I. We had to get out a stool to put by her seat and then help her out. Then she needed to be escorted to the apartment (we were temporarily in a short term rental).

We left the car in the spot (note that in the almost two months we had been in the apartment I had never seen anyone use the spot) until the next time DH or I went somewhere (later that day as I recall). At that point, we parked in a non-handicap spot. We brought the car back to the spot when my mom needed to get in the car to go to a doctor's appointment.

 

[CaptTom]

It's always hard to legislate one-size-fits-all rules, so I guess this sort of debate is inevitable.

Still, I'd be seriously miffed if I saw the situation the OP describes. I suspect it's just a way to use an extra spot, beyond whatever limit the association allows per unit. It's a very inconsiderate thing to do. Basically taking advantage of handicapped people who really need the space. And I agree that Woman with Walker does NOT need the space, any more than if she took a cab once every few months.

DW has a handicap placard, and we use it on days when she needs it. Never if she's waiting in the car, and I'm just running in. There are also days when we see lots of handicap spaces available, but few regular spaces. At that point, taking a handicap space is actually doing a favor to everyone else who can't, by freeing up one more regular space.

My real beef is that the WalMarts around here have painted over 6-8 spaces to make one huge handicap space, with a space the size of a regular car in the middle, and the rest marked out with diagonal lines. I get that some folks need room on either side for a chair lift or something, but why all that space ahead and behind the car? How would someone who can't park or back up even get a license?

But I digress.

 

[ERD50]

Not necessarily. When my mom was staying with us before her death, we drove her home from the hospital. There was no just dropping her off. She had a walker but couldn't possibly get out of the car without a lot of help. It took the efforts of both DH and I. We had to get out a stool to put by her seat and then help her out. Then she needed to be escorted to the apartment (we were temporarily in a short term rental).

We left the car in the spot (note that in the almost two months we had been in the apartment I had never seen anyone use the spot) until the next time DH or I went somewhere (later that day as I recall). At that point, we parked in a non-handicap spot. We brought the car back to the spot when my mom needed to get in the car to go to a doctor's appointment.

I agree with you if the handicapped person really can't be left alone while the driver parks the car. Like CaptTom just said, one-size fits all regulations rarely do.

But if I'm reading the OP right, this driver leaves the car parked there for days/weeks? They certainly should move their car once the handicapped person is settled in, IMO.

-ERD50

 

[eytonxav]

While not a condo, our HOA does not allow residents to park cars indefinitely in an overflow visitor's spot without the car being used. It seems to me, you have a reasonable gripe with the way this space is being manipulated and should present your case to the condo BOD.

 

[Snidely Whiplash]

But if I'm reading the OP right, this driver leaves the car parked there for days/weeks? They certainly should move their car once the handicapped person is settled in, IMO.

Trickier, but in the OP's case, it sure seems like the driver can move the car after getting the handicapped person back in their home.

Still, I'd be seriously miffed if I saw the situation the OP describes. I suspect it's just a way to use an extra spot, beyond whatever limit the association allows per unit. It's a very inconsiderate thing to do. Basically taking advantage of handicapped people who really need the space. And I agree that Woman with Walker does NOT need the space, any more than if she took a cab once every few months.

Yes, literally weeks. The car was driven the day before yesterday (which prompted my post) and literally that is the first it has been used / out of the handicap space for 3 months. I dont understand who does that? My thinking would be take the woman inside, get her settled, and then move the car if I knew it wont be used for an extended period of time.

So sorry about your DW .

Thanks for your kind words. My wife is doing great. On month 30 of what was originally a "You've got a 3 months to live" diagnosis. Lots of prayer and nothing short of a miracle from God.

She doesn't need use of the handicap space now even on bad days, but things can change pretty quickly and I know if she were to take a turn for the worse my stress levels would be off the charts and that might prompt a not so nice conversation with the other parties involved so I probably need to address this sooner rather than later.

Yup. Sometimes life is like that. If I were king of the world, things would be different.

The older I get the more head-shaking I seem to do at the rest of the world. Is it really so hard to be decent and considerate to the next person?

Since making the original post it has occurred to me that the car involved has out of state license plates and Florida requires residents to change the registration on a vehicle when its owner moves to Florida. This vehicle has been here continuously for the last 9 months (aside from the handful of times it was out of the handicap space for a few hours at a time). I'm thinking a frank and direct talk with the son is going to happen, and if nothing is resolved, the prior mentioned handicap statute that Braumeister has provided will be delivered to the condo board along with an official request for another handicap space, and finally, a call to the local PD complaining about my being required to register my car in FL and the neighbor not doing so.

After that, all legal and "creative" options are on the table.
.

 

[USA]

Situation is interesting indeed. HOAs can be dicey. I have one. I’d talk directly to the person with a well planned “speech” of facts. Your observation and your own wish to use the space. I’d also have a nice way to say that you have taken the issue directly to him, as you wouldn’t have wanted him to look bad in his position on the board. Especially since he wasn’t aware of your desire to use the space also (I’d smile while saying that, even though he’s a butthead). If he is a jerk to the discussion I’d then need to decide if it’s how I want to spend my time by pursuing it.

 

[Katsmeow]

But if I'm reading the OP right, this driver leaves the car parked there for days/weeks? They certainly should move their car once the handicapped person is settled in, IMO.

-ERD50

Oh - for sure I agree with that entirely. When we brought my mom home from the hospital and from the one doctor's visit she made before her death, we left the car there until we next used it. But that was either that day or the next morning. We then parked our car in a regular spot.

 

[kcowan]

In Mexico, the person abusing the parking regs would find 2 tires without air. After filling them, they would find them without air again. Eventually, the driver would realize that they should observe the rules of civilized society. It is more direct and does not require police, city hall or condo boards.

I agree that OP deserves better treatment and that this situation is clearly abusive. Many of the other suggestions are valid. But mine is simple, immediate and requires no other approvals.

 

[gindie]

Off topic, but a funny story about a guy who parked in a fire lane during a time when there was an actual call for a fire. The fire dept. broke out two windows and ran a fire hose through the car. Then they charged the line (turned on the water) and when done made sure to dump about five gallons inside the car. I loved it!

Prices seem a little low, but it gets the point across!