We have all seen signs like this every where we go. Many people may wonder how they could get the privilege to park in those great spots. Most of them think that they would have to actually be disadvantaged in some way to get that privilege? Think again.
No where does the law require that anyone in the vehicle retain the physicians original report of their disability.This allows friends and family members to use/abuse placards of others, especially Mom and Dad.
Until I became unable (don't like the term disabled) to walk as I once did, I never really paid attention to the people that parked in these spots. Now as I drive around parking lots trying to find an available handicap parking (HP) spot, I'm amazed at how many "handicapped" people are able to get out of their vehicles just fine and appear to have no disability what so ever. Everywhere I go I see people into HP spots, jump out of their vehicles and dash into a variety of establishments, up to and including fitness centers. Check out these examples.
Apparently even some law enforcement officers feel free to park in HP spots as well.
I belong to to a fitness center in Phoenix that I go to every day. There is a middle-aged fellow that also shows up every day. He parks in an HP spot, goes in and works out for two hours like a triathlon athlete. During his workout, there are several senior women that belong to the "Walker Gang" that come in daily as well.
I have watched the middle-age triathlon man observing the 'Walker Gang" women struggling to walk from the far side of the parking lot into the fitness center, in an effort to improve their physical situation. T-Man smiles and waves as if he has done nothing wrong and showing no empathy whatsoever.
The people that I have seen abusing the HP spots, much like the T-Man, seem to have no guilty feelings or remorse whatsoever. How does a handicapped person drive and get in and out of a vehicle like this while feeling no shame or guilt? Note this person feels the need to occupy not only one HP spot but two. Apparently this person feels the health and welfare of their vehicle is more important than that of two human beings.
On Tuesday March 3rd of this year, the Arizona House of Representatives approved House Bill 2662. This Bill reduced some speeding fines to $15 for driving less than 10 mph over the speed limit under certain circumstances. That will certainly not begin to cover the cost of our public service workers.
A few years ago. Phoenix raised the fines for unlawfully parking in HP spaces from $140 to a minimum of $288 up to a maximum of $562. These fees would have a much better chance of covering the costs of our public service workers.
After reading the "fines" link above. I was pleased to find that the Phoenix Police Department has been cracking down on HP violators. I also noted the direct line phone number 602-534-7722 to report violators. I think I will use this number frequently to help stop insensitive people from thinking of themselves only, as they watch the "Walker Gang" struggling to pursue everyday activities.
The saddest part is that most able people don' pay attention to this issue, because it doesn't directly impact them. As stated in this blog's second paragraph, I never paid attention to the people parking in the HP spots util I became unable. Now I wish I would have.
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