Wayne Boatwright wrote:

>> As for handicapped parking, it should only be valid for those drivers
>> who have a mobility problem. If there is an able bodied person they
>> should drop the disabled person off at the door and then park out in the
>> lot with everyone else. Use of a disabled parking permit by someone
>> other than the named permit holder should result in confiscation of the
>> permit.
>
> It really depends on what you define as a "mobility" problem. It should
> include, probably among others, those with serious heart conditions,
> serious breathing difficulties, people seriously weakened by chemotherapy,
> etc. Many of those people do not "appear" to have a mobility problem, but
> if fact they do. If they had to walk from a distant parking space, they
> might not make it, or it may worsen their condition. Some of those same
> people require assistance in walking any distance at all, which would
> require that an able-bodied person accompany them. As you seem to have
> defined it, I think you're being overly harsh.

I realize that it is difficult for we lay people to know who does and
who doesn't need a handicapped parking permit, but I am sure that we all
know of lots of cases where they are abused. Hell, the other day I was
coming out of a coffee shop and saw someone pull into the only handicap
space and sat in the car while the passenger got out and practically ran
in to get coffee. I find it hard to believe that particular passenger
was the one for whom the permit had been issued, and if the driver was
just sitting there waiting there is no reason that he could not have
parked in a regular space and left it available for someone to need it.

Then there are all those reserved spaces I mentioned at out local Y.
It's amazing how much some of those people can do in the gym, but still
need to get the front row parking. More than 10% of that parking lot is
designated handicapped.