# Handicapped parking placards: If you aren't disabled, would you ever use one? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 30, 2012, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-placards-if-you-arent-disabled-would-you-ever-use-one/629826 "2012-07-30T06:14:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-placards-if-you-arent-disabled-would-you-ever-use-one/629826/41 "2012-07-31T03:51:41Z")
> [@shiftless](#): > > I might use one if the alternative is walking a huge distance. For example, if the choice was use my mom’s card and park next to a building I have to get to or walk 2 miles, I’d probably use the card. If ever single regular spot in a lot is full, I think the next person looking for a space should be allowed to use the handicapped spot, or the new-mother’s spot, or at least the expectant mother’s spot. Yes, I know that would be a pain to enforce. > > We went to an event once where my sister and I both drove. I took my mom who has a handicap permit, so we parked in the absolute best spot, 20 feet from the front door. Tons of empty handicap spots in the area. My sister had to walk 2 miles from the overflow parking lot. She isn’t handicapped but that is a whole lot of walking for her. What purpose does that serve? Is this entire post a joke? ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-placards-if-you-arent-disabled-would-you-ever-use-one/629826/42 "2012-07-31T04:09:37Z")
> [@shiftless](#): > > I might use one if the alternative is walking a huge distance. For example, if the choice was use my mom’s card and park next to a building I have to get to or walk 2 miles, I’d probably use the card. If ever single regular spot in a lot is full, I think the next person looking for a space should be allowed to use the handicapped spot, or the new-mother’s spot, or at least the expectant mother’s spot. Yes, I know that would be a pain to enforce. > > We went to an event once where my sister and I both drove. I took my mom who has a handicap permit, so we parked in the absolute best spot, 20 feet from the front door. Tons of empty handicap spots in the area. My sister had to walk 2 miles from the overflow parking lot. She isn’t handicapped but that is a whole lot of walking for her. What purpose does that serve? This is parody, right? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f08c70/32.png) [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Brother_Walker)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-placards-if-you-arent-disabled-would-you-ever-use-one/629826/43 "2012-07-31T04:10:00Z")
Both my mother and her husband are elderly and have become disabled. I have only parked in a disabled spot when I drive my mother around. And while using her car. I work at a place that makes copies for folks. One very elderly lady asked for my help making copies. She told me she got a ticket for parking in a HC spot without a placard. She had the “great idea” to make a copy of her (now deceased) husband’s HC placard and claim that he had parked there and forgot to display his placard. I looked at the placard and the ticket and the death certificate. The dates didn’t match up. He had died three months before the ticket was issued. The placard was still valid for another four months. I \*suggested \*to her to simply pay the ticket. IANAL, but I suggested to her that if she presented her case that her husband had parked there, it would only take a very little amount of examination to catch the details about the dates. I suggested that if she did this, she could potentially be charged with fraud, and maybe other charges. She dismissed my advice and made her copies anyway. She left my store and I haven’t seen her since. I don’t know whether or not she had the brass cojones to go through with her plan. ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-placards-if-you-arent-disabled-would-you-ever-use-one/629826/44 "2012-07-31T04:12:04Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > This is parody, right? 😛 If not, username/post combo FTW! ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-placards-if-you-arent-disabled-would-you-ever-use-one/629826/45 "2012-07-31T04:12:40Z")
People who cheat the system are _morally_ handicapped and therefore perhaps deserve their placard anyway. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-placards-if-you-arent-disabled-would-you-ever-use-one/629826/46 "2012-07-31T04:15:34Z")
I do feel justified parking in the spot when helping my grandma into the doctors office, as long as I move the car after she has made it in. I will say, having extra room on the side of the car is almost as helpful as being close. And nearly as important is having a well thought out drop off area. ---
**Author:** ![Ecamp1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cab0a1/32.png) [@Ecamp1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ecamp1)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-placards-if-you-arent-disabled-would-you-ever-use-one/629826/47 "2012-07-31T04:28:39Z")
Ambivalid: I read your post. Wow! I had no idea that many people park in HC spaces. I never have. Crazy! ---
**Author:** ![Ecamp1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cab0a1/32.png) [@Ecamp1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ecamp1)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-placards-if-you-arent-disabled-would-you-ever-use-one/629826/48 "2012-07-31T04:32:06Z")
Here is something to watch for those of you that think it’s ok to park in a HC spot even if it’s “Just 2 minutes”. (A short from France with subtitles): [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/e9EYh_Tr_Sc/hqdefault.jpg "Just 2 Minutes (English subtitles)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9EYh_Tr_Sc) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-placards-if-you-arent-disabled-would-you-ever-use-one/629826/49 "2012-07-31T04:38:19Z")
The only reason I’d use a disabled parking space is if I was riding with a disabled person. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-placards-if-you-arent-disabled-would-you-ever-use-one/629826/50 "2012-07-31T13:03:01Z")
> [@jackdavinci](#): > > I do feel justified parking in the spot when helping my grandma into the doctors office, as long as I move the car after she has made it in. > … Why move the car? You may be able-bodied, but you are, I presume, going to be helping Grandma out to the car after the appointment. You’re using the permit for what it’s intended for: either the driver is disabled, or the driver is assisting a disabled passenger. That said, it _is_ nice of you to move the car - freeing up a space for someone else who needs it (since presumably you can go back later and bring your car closer for grandma). One of the times I really needed to use my temporary permit was to go to the doctor - and all the spots were taken (quite probably with legal users, it being a hospital and all). I was fortunate enough to find a regular space not too far, but the hobble into the building was pretty damn unpleasant. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-placards-if-you-arent-disabled-would-you-ever-use-one/629826/51 "2012-07-31T13:14:14Z")
My daughter is in a wheelchair, so I do use the placard every once in a while when she’s with me at a store, or whatever. One time I had the placard, but I didn’t have my daughter, but I did have my able-bodied son. He wanted me to use the placard, but I refused. Then I helped an old lady across the street and nursed a baby bird back to health. Here’s the thing though … I don’t really feel I even need it when I’m with my daughter. The only thing it does is guarantee me a parking spot - we don’t really need to be right next to the door. I mean, if the parking lot has plenty of spots to choose from, it isn’t a burden on my daughter to roll as far as I have to walk. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-placards-if-you-arent-disabled-would-you-ever-use-one/629826/52 "2012-07-31T14:28:47Z")
I have permanent handicapped plates on my car [and a hang tag for traveling when we rent a car a the destination] and my husband does not park in HC spots if I am not with him. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-placards-if-you-arent-disabled-would-you-ever-use-one/629826/53 "2012-07-31T15:51:30Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Here’s the thing though … I don’t really feel I even need it when I’m with my daughter. The only thing it does is guarantee me a parking spot - we don’t really need to be right next to the door. I mean, if the parking lot has plenty of spots to choose from, it isn’t a burden on my daughter to roll as far as I have to walk. A lot of people have the mistaken belief that the point of a handicapped parking space is its proximity to the building’s entrance. That’s a nice bonus but the real distinguishing feature of a handicapped parking space is the [no-parking space](http://www.alphabetsigns.com/merchant2/graphics/00000041/st02artcl1.jpg) adjacent to it. This gives people in wheelchairs room to get in and out of their vehicle that they wouldn’t have in a regular parking space. ---
**Author:** ![oreally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7ab992/32.png) [@oreally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oreally)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-placards-if-you-arent-disabled-would-you-ever-use-one/629826/54 "2012-07-31T16:18:40Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > No; that would be a very obnoxious thing to do at best. Welcome to the 21st century. Now get out of my way! (PS anyone else reminded of Dennis Leary’s “asshole” song?) I have happily called the police more than once when I have seen a car parking/parked in a handicapped spot and they don’t have the mandatory plate or placard. More generally, I am amazed at how big of a deal people make at having to park a little farther away. I see people driving round and round looking for a closer space when there are plenty farther out. God forbid you should actually get a little exercise and require an extra whole 30 seconds to get to the store. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-placards-if-you-arent-disabled-would-you-ever-use-one/629826/55 "2012-07-31T16:37:58Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > A lot of people have the mistaken belief that the point of a handicapped parking space is its proximity to the building’s entrance. That’s a nice bonus but the real distinguishing feature of a handicapped parking space is the [no-parking space](http://www.alphabetsigns.com/merchant2/graphics/00000041/st02artcl1.jpg) adjacent to it. This gives people in wheelchairs room to get in and out of their vehicle that they wouldn’t have in a regular parking space. Not all handicapped parking spaces have a “no-parking” space next to them. In fact, the majority don’t. Yes, the no-parking space is very handy for wheelchairs but not everyone handicapped uses a wheelchair. Proximity really is a big factor in their placement and a big part of their utility. ---
**Author:** ![Hbns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hbns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hbns)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-placards-if-you-arent-disabled-would-you-ever-use-one/629826/56 "2012-07-31T16:52:32Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Imma silent assassin baby…(well, with some wd-40 I _will_ be silent) 🆒 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-placards-if-you-arent-disabled-would-you-ever-use-one/629826/57 "2012-07-31T17:04:23Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Not all handicapped parking spaces have a “no-parking” space next to them. In fact, the majority don’t. Yes, the no-parking space is very handy for wheelchairs but not everyone handicapped uses a wheelchair. Proximity really is a big factor in their placement and a big part of their utility. They’re supposed to. It’s part of the ADA. (And the ADA also specifies proximity to entrances.) But, as we’ve seen in other threads, enforcing disabled parking laws aren’t always a priority. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-placards-if-you-arent-disabled-would-you-ever-use-one/629826/58 "2012-07-31T17:08:40Z")
Interesting side-not on this issue. New York City, as is often the case, believes it’s the center of the universe and issues its own disabled parking placards. And these are the only placards that are valid in New York City. Disabled people from other parts of New York or other states have been ticketed for using a disabled parking space in NYC without having a NYC placard - even when they have their valid placard displayed. NYC is being sued for discrimination by some of these people for violating the ADA. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-placards-if-you-arent-disabled-would-you-ever-use-one/629826/59 "2012-07-31T22:24:05Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > They’re supposed to. It’s part of the ADA. (And the ADA also specifies proximity to entrances.) There was some grandfathering involved. I also think there are some exceptions for extremely small lots but hey, don’t quote me on that. All I can say is that not all of them have the extra space. > [@](#): > > But, as we’ve seen in other threads, enforcing disabled parking laws aren’t always a priority. True. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-placards-if-you-arent-disabled-would-you-ever-use-one/629826/60 "2012-07-31T23:37:19Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > True. I exception would be Irvine Ca. The chief of police had lunch with a friend who is in a wheelchair. The subject came up and the friend mentioned about the level of abuse. The chief didn’t believe him but promised to look into it. He send out a couple of guys to stake out a mall. They wrote a ton of tickets and confiscated a bunch of placards. Now they have a regular patrol. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-placards-if-you-arent-disabled-would-you-ever-use-one/629826.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-parking-placards-if-you-arent-disabled-would-you-ever-use-one/629826.md?page=4)