**In some states the law requires that properly designated spaces can be legally used by vehicles that are transporting eligible persons with disabilities in vehicles that are displaying a valid plate or hang tag. ANYONE in such a state that parks in such a space without meeting ALL the criteria is breaking the law. This applies to wheelchair users, shufflers, cane wielders, etc., if they do not display the valid tag for that location. **
neuroman Quote: “My point was that although some people like buttonjockey308 and Dignan’s harassers work themselves into a lather over the idea of galliantly (and ignorantly) defending empty handicapped spots, it can be overkill. The minimum number of handicapped spaces is typically mandated by law, but the ratio of handicapped spaces in a particular given spot isn’t necessarily the right number. Sometimes (often, IME here in Texas) there are more handicapped spots than needed. Other times there aren’t enough, as is the case with Mama Zappa’s mother in Pennsylvania.”
Fiveyearlurker “Does it make me a horrible person that while never I actually doing it, I think about it, for the following reason: At work, where parking is at a premium, there are ten handicapped spots. No more than two are ever used (with appropriate stickers) at any time. Now, I understand that there have to be extra in case someone shows up, but if we watch for a few weeks, and see that there are never more than, say, three cars needing such spots, that we have five spots rather than ten? We’ll have more than we need, and not be excessive.
Again, I feel like an ass whenever I think this, because I’m lucky that I don’t need one.”
**The federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (signed by President Bush (41) in 1991) (and Architectural Barriers Act-ABA) require 1 disability-accessible (d-a) parking space for each 25 parking spaces in a lot or facility. For lots with 101-150 spaces, 5 spaces; 151-200, 6, then one more space for each 100 more, up to 500 spaces, then from 501-1000 spaces, 9, and for any lot over 1000 spaces, 2 percent. The rate is much higher for certain medical facilities. **
02-02-2005 03:36 PM
“Politzania The local grocery store has handicapped spots where the handicapped symbol is painted in every other space, with diagonal stripes painted on the spots between the spaces. Unfortunately - some dimwits (with or without tags/plates) park on the sections where the lines are, least partially defeating the purpose of the spaces. (the aforementioned “extra room” to fully open doors/ drop down a chair lift) Grrrrrr …”
02-02-2005 11:54 AM
Dewey Finn “I thought the original purpose of handicapped parking spaces was to allow a wide enough space so that someone with a van and electric ramp could open the door and unfold it. Any truth to that?”
**The minimum width for a d-a space is only 8 feet but it must have an adjacent marked access aisle at least 5 feet wide. The first and every eighth d-a space must be “van accessible” by having an adjacent access aisle that is at least 8 feet wide and a VAN ACCESSIBLE sign. A marked accessible route is required from each d-a parking space’s aisle across any driving lanes to the accessible building entrance. Parking in the marked access aisle (and, technically, blocking it with shopping carts) is a violation of the statute (in my state). D-A parking violation penalties in my state start at $100 and top out at $250 per ticket, but alas, the law is reticent to impose such “heavy fines.”
**Also, the law (in my state) requires a very specifically designed sign green on white “RESERVED PARKING” plus symbol in 6-inch blue square to be posted in front of each d-a space (number R7-8 in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices) http//mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov Unfortunately, the statute says that building inspectors “may” enforce the signing requirement so they mostly enforce it only on new construction and generally ignore it on pre-existing illegal (blue & white) signs. That makes those signs unenforceable, really confusing the situation for everyone as it is technically “legal” for anyone to park in a space that does not have the required signage.
Along with that sign a second message is required “MAXIMUM PENALTY $250” + the statute reference. The Van Accessible sign is a third required message for those spaces. ** States can, if desired, increase the minimum number of spaces, but cannot decrease them without violating the ADA. **
02-04-2005 08:26 AM
USCDiver “Why don’t handicapped parking spaces on the side of the road have parking meters? Are handicapped people less able to pay $0.25/hour?”
In some states, mine included, persons with disabilities are not required to abide by any time-limited parking regulations but my state’s law does not state that such parking shall be “free”. That is, a validly tagged vehicle can park in a 2-hour metered spot all day but is required to pay the fee for the time parked.
02-01-2005 08:22 PM
Aesiron Quote:
“I work as a personal caretaker and have run errands with my employer right beside me and the handicap placard hanging from the mirror but unless she is getting out with me, those parking spaces are off limits, even when it’s pouring rain and the parking lot is completely deserted.”
**Congratulations, Aesiron. I hope you are recuperating nicely.
Having needed to drive my shuffling, walkerized 83-87-year-old Mom around eastern Mass. during her pre-and-early nursing home confinement, I learned the value of properly-designated, properly-ramped d-a parking spaces near the building entrances. At that time, Mass. required the disabled person’s photograph to be permanently affixed to the hang tag. Unfortunately, according to new stories, the doling out process was very lax and there were whole streets lined with RESERVED PARKING signs. By-the-way, it is very difficult for cities to install legal d-a spaces on streets because of the requirement for the adjacent 5-8-foot-wide marked stall. Ideally, and in practice, it has to be provided on the curb side of the parking space, by indenting the curb/sidewalk area and providing adequate ramps and turning areas. Very expensive.
Hope this hasn’t been TMI but I was involved in such matters in my work for many years and it’s still one of my passions, in case you couldn’t tell.**
Fighting ignorance since 1973.
Ignatz