I never judge who does or doesn't need the parking when i see it, but i have no doubt this is another massively abused 'privilege' (certainly not judging anyone here).

think that's bad, how about people who 'buy' a permit to take their pooch as a 'service dog' on a plane so the dog gets a seat for free. and it happens in HUGE numbers

 

I've definitely forgot to hang my placard up more than once. Back in Lansing Michigan I got a ticket because I had forgotten to put it up. When I took it in they dismissed it, but I got scolded too. I thought it was a good thing they enforced it.

 

always those people who scam the system. Problem is it makes it harder on those who need it. More hoops to jump through, and scrutiny from the public.

 

We were just discussing this at work the other day. This is becoming a huge problem in the rental side of our business. Properties where we don't allow pets, people get "service dog" permits (fake) and we can't keep them from having a pet in the property. Absolutely nothing we can do about it.

I too think this change is a big problem. Kids have no respect for adults anymore, they see them as equals, and this sort of thing is a big reason why. My parents (mostly my dad) were big about this when I was a kid, and like you its stuck with me, and we always refer to adults to our kids using "Mr. and Mrs.", but we are for sure the only people we know who do.

 

You see this in the health field BIGTIME. People who are 'disabled', yet function perfectly normal. The part that gets me, if you're disabled, and correct me if I'm wrong, to maintain that status, aren't you suppose to maintain a low income level to keep your SSI coming in? This brings me to the next point, that these said 'disabled' folk have better phones than I, crazy amounts of tattoos, expensive looking jewelry, etc. So I gotta agree with Bit that the people riding the disabled gravy train have gotta be a BIG number.

Now onto the parking spots. They're fine to exist no problem, but I'm gonna be hated for this one, but whenever I see a disabled spot AVAILABLE, and the car ahead of me has the placard but pulls into a regular spot, that ticks me off. I'm sorry, but if you have that placard and there is an available handicap spot, you should be required to take it. I've seen before when they pull into regular spots at the front of lots even though there are handicap spots available, thus making me have to find a further away spot. This is a rant more so based on principle that if you have the tag, you should use those spots PRIMARY and if not available at the time, then regular spots.

 

It is possible the person driving the vehicle is not the person registered to the placard. If this is the case then it is illegal for that person to park in a handicap spot. In Florida if a tag is found being used fraudulently not only is there a fine but the state can revoke the permit.

 

But it isn’t your or my place to determine that, or to confront the person about our suspicions. If you have that suspicion, call the police.

 

Call the police because someone parked in a regular spot with a placard? Not sure they would care.

 

I wouldn’t do that, but if bothers one so much that’s what they should do vs confronting the person directly themselves.

Dont call 911, call the non emergency number but I guarantee they’ll send somebody out eventually.

 

I'm pretty sure that's not illegal.

 

On the income/assets: Not necessarily. I am 100% disabled by the VA, and I draw Social Security Disability. I have no Asset Limits, and no income limits. Nobody checks my bank accounts, nobody checks to make sure I don't have too much money. Nor should they. Now having said that, my situation is permanent and will never change. I am retired, forever. My income potential is what I make, plus whatever pay raises I get from the VA pension/SS, for the rest of my life. I won't ever even come close to making 100k a year. Per the SSA Website http://www.ssa.gov:

So I get paid based off of what I paid in while I was working and contributed to the program (i.e. not much LOL)

I think what you are thinking of, and what they do check income/assets/bank accounts for, is SSI, or Supplmental Security Income. Which per the SSA website says this:

As far as parking in the non handicapped spots, no. Many times the handicapped spaces are not the closest. Other times, the person using the car may not be the disabled person.

This.

 

What bothers me about seeing someone drive around with their permit hanging, is that sucker is huge. That makes for a huge blind spot a whole car can hide in. Not to mention ago the law to do so. Has said on every one of them I've had, that's five different states now. As said already can be easy to forget to hang it up, but that doesn't mean leave it hanging.


The SSI thing yes people again misuse the system, hurting those who do need it. I'm in the same position as Army of one though. Ssd points are multiplied higher because of military service.

 

Whats not illegal? Parking in a handicapped spot without a placard, or using somebody else's placard is certainly illegal. Point is, people should leave enforcing laws to law enforcement.

 

Funny how people are lazy when it comes to transponders and work placards. My wife worked at either the largest or second largest mutual fund co. in the US. They were told to always remove the parking placard from your mirror when you're not at work (you don't want to be identified in a bear market). People are driving around all over the place with them in our area. I saw a comment somewhere on this thread saying if you have a placard, then you are required to do something. That was kind of funny. so then to satisfy that poster, take it down.

 

He was referring to having an ADA permit but parking in a non-ADA spot. Nothing illegal in that. You can call, but the police are not going to come investigate that.

My mother-in-law has a permit for a bad knee. However there are days when it isn't acting up and she prefers a regular spot so she can walk a bit more and it frees up a handicap spot for someone else. I see no issue with that.