# "You know, that's handicapped parking spot!" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 13, 2011, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328 "2011-06-13T17:13:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/21 "2011-06-13T17:54:04Z")
It’s bad luck to park in the handicapped spot. If you do that, you’ll end up needing it. Possibly when someone who gets pissed off by able-bodied people parking in the handicapped spaces beats you up. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/22 "2011-06-13T17:55:02Z")
And suppose that during those 10 quick inconsequential minutes a _physically_ handicapped person needs that spot and can’t get it? ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/23 "2011-06-13T17:55:24Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > No, the best that you could do would have been not to park in a handicapped spot. It was not a loading zone spot. You are not handicapped. Having heavy equipment to load is simply an excuse for doing the wrong thing. Putting your hazards on does not mean “it’s OK to park there”. Your trunk remaining open does not mean “I have a right to be here”. Being there temporarily does not mean “I am not being a jerk” > > You were in the wrong. 100% completely wrong. He’s definitely in the wrong. But I did have to think about something: Consider this: Double parking is also illegal. But people making deliveries do it all the time, at least in some places. Go to Chinatown in San Francisco and the streets are clogged with trucks double parking in order to make deliveries. They’re breaking the law, but they hardly ever get a ticket for it. Is breaking the parking law in one way to make deliveries worse than breaking the law another way? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/24 "2011-06-13T17:55:44Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > I’m gonna say that this thread will not end well. How would you handicap it? ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/25 "2011-06-13T17:56:40Z")
The other day I was eating a burrito I found in the work fridge. Pretty sure it belonged to that fatty I work with, but it’s not like they need it. I heated it up in the microwave and man, that leaked everywhere while I was helping myself to the last of the coffee without making more. I figured I’d cap the whole thing off by making some popcorn, but that burrito was so delicious, I forgot all about it and it burnt. Pain in the ass. Anyway, so I’m eating my burrito and some bitch told me I was being inconsiderate for some reason. I know, right? She couldn’t be more wrong. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/26 "2011-06-13T17:57:03Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > How would you handicap it? Pipe to the kneecaps. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/27 "2011-06-13T18:00:44Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > He’s definitely in the wrong. But I did have to think about something: > > Consider this: Double parking is also illegal. But people making deliveries do it all the time, at least in some places. Go to Chinatown in San Francisco and the streets are clogged with trucks double parking in order to make deliveries. They’re breaking the law, but they hardly ever get a ticket for it. > > Is breaking the parking law in one way to make deliveries worse than breaking the law another way? The problem there is that there are no back-of-building delivery areas, no on-street unloading zones and the nearest parking for a large truck is miles away. Cars and small delivery vans/pickups don’t always get the same leeway. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/28 "2011-06-13T18:02:36Z")
Just to be fair, I did a lookup on whether you are authorized to use those spaces and, well…apparently being _morally_ handicapped isn’t on their list of qualifications. So sorry. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/29 "2011-06-13T18:03:34Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > He’s definitely in the wrong. But I did have to think about something: > > Consider this: Double parking is also illegal. But people making deliveries do it all the time, at least in some places. Go to Chinatown in San Francisco and the streets are clogged with trucks double parking in order to make deliveries. They’re breaking the law, but they hardly ever get a ticket for it. > > Is breaking the parking law in one way to make deliveries worse than breaking the law another way? I think, ethically speaking, the difference is that double parking isn’t the same as taking a space that is intended to make life a little easier for a handicapped person. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/30 "2011-06-13T18:04:11Z")
Fuck the handicapped _and_ their special parking places. I mean, its not like they are _really_ people after all. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/31 "2011-06-13T18:04:21Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > He’s definitely in the wrong. But I did have to think about something: > > Consider this: Double parking is also illegal. But people making deliveries do it all the time, at least in some places. Go to Chinatown in San Francisco and the streets are clogged with trucks double parking in order to make deliveries. They’re breaking the law, but they hardly ever get a ticket for it. > > Is breaking the parking law in one way to make deliveries worse than breaking the law another way? Perhaps only slightly worse, because one is potentially inconveniencing a handicapped person, and society is getting particularly sensitive to that. The main problem of the OP is coming here and whining about being called on his/her lawbreaking. Fine - park in a handicapped spot because you “need it just for a moment”. But then don’t whine and bitch when someone tells you you’re in the wrong. You _were_ wrong. You chose your path - live with it. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/32 "2011-06-13T18:04:40Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Putting your hazards on does not mean “it’s OK to park there”. Your trunk remaining open does not mean “I have a right to be here”. What are you talking about? Everyone knows that activation of the hazard lights constitutes a universal “I’ll park wherever the hell i want” signal. ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/33 "2011-06-13T18:05:30Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > He’s definitely in the wrong. But I did have to think about something: > > Consider this: Double parking is also illegal. But people making deliveries do it all the time, at least in some places. Go to Chinatown in San Francisco and the streets are clogged with trucks double parking in order to make deliveries. They’re breaking the law, but they hardly ever get a ticket for it. > > Is breaking the parking law in one way to make deliveries worse than breaking the law another way? What I came in the say/ask. I see this all the time. At thelocal 7-11 the truck can’t even get near the store without taking 4 spaces, one of which is the handicap space. If I had to load or unload and the choice was either on the street or in a handicap spot it would be the handicap spot every time. At least it is a parking space. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/34 "2011-06-13T18:09:39Z")
Yeah, no sympathy. You were in the wrong. SO wrong. ---
**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:** [June 13, 2011, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/35 "2011-06-13T18:12:56Z")
Do people break the law or do other things they know are wrong? Yes, all the time. But acknowledge that you’re doing something wrong and don’t become self-righteous and defensive when somebody points that out. ---
**Author:** ![stretch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@stretch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stretch)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/36 "2011-06-13T18:13:14Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > He’s definitely in the wrong. But I did have to think about something: > > Consider this: Double parking is also illegal. But people making deliveries do it all the time, at least in some places. Go to Chinatown in San Francisco and the streets are clogged with trucks double parking in order to make deliveries. They’re breaking the law, but they hardly ever get a ticket for it. > > Is breaking the parking law in one way to make deliveries worse than breaking the law another way? Where I live, “commercial” streets allow double-parking for unloading and delivery. I work on a commercial street. A truck can park in the middle of it for hours during delivery and they are not breaking the law. I cannot park in the middle of the street for any reason or I will be breaking the law. Check your local ordinances. OP is an asshole. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/37 "2011-06-13T18:14:31Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > Sorry, you all are wrong, wrong, wrong. > > Look, my point is that there is a tacit level of approval for bending these sorts of rules. Justify it all you want, you’re a bad person. There are some things you just shouldn’t do no matter how lazy you are. ---
**Author:** ![42fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/b487fb/32.png) [@42fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/42fish)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/38 "2011-06-13T18:16:18Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Pipe to the kneecaps. I was thinking more of a good ankle hobbling, a la Kathy Bates in ‘Misery.’ ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/39 "2011-06-13T18:19:37Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > Look, my point is that there is a tacit level of approval for bending these sorts of rules. I’m sure that defense would have worked brilliantly if you had gotten a ticket. “Yes, Your Honor, I was parked in the handicap space. But as the court is surely aware, there’s a tacit level of approval for bending these sorts of rules.” ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/40 "2011-06-13T18:21:35Z")
> [@42fish](#): > > I was thinking more of a good ankle hobbling, a la Kathy Bates in ‘Misery.’ Which would bring us back to the blue parking spot which the thread could legally apply to park in. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328.md?page=3)