DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Ever Park In A Handicapped Spot?

hehe <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

UNION, S.C. -- Ragheem Smith has to tell the world he's not disabled.

He has to apologize, too.

Smith was ticketed for parking illegally in a handicapped space in front of a grocery store in Union, S.C.

He told a magistrate he couldn't afford the $325 fine, and couldn't miss work to spend 30 days in jail.

So, Magistrate Jeff Bailey imposed an alternative sentence.

Thursday, Smith had to stand outside the Bi-Lo grocery with a sign that read: "I am not handicapped. I just parked there, sorry."

Smith said he's learned his lesson and won't be parking in anymore handicapped spots.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press.

I've never done it because the way I see it God's blessed me with the ability to walk so I might as well use it. However, obese people shouldn't get handicapped spots IMO.
But this article is quite funny to me; I bet the guy never does it again. <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" />

I have never, and hopefully will never, park in a handicapped spot. I get bothered when I come into work and I see people who obviously aren't handicapped, but have somehow obtained a handicapped decal, park in handicapped spots. Is there anything I can do about that?

If you have a camera phone, take their picture and call the cops <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I never have either except on accident, like the parking lot is so old you can't see it. A few times I have parked in the pregnant chick parking spot b/c, well why not <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

never

No, but a girl I went to high school with, who I was pretty good friends with got pregnant and thought she could start parking in the expectant mothers spot when she was like 3 weeks pregnant lol.

I've parked in handicapped spots because I work as a caregiver for people with disabilities. I only park there when they're in the car/van with me. I also have a tag for my Mom who's had hard time walking since she broke her hip. We only use her when it's absolutely necessary though like when it's icy or when the regualt spots are on a steep incline etc.

BTW all hanicapped spots are not created equal. It's really annoying to find a car parked in the spot for vans which are wider to allow for the wheelchair lift. I've had to drive around waiting for a van spot to clear or go further out and take up two regular spots to park so I could get my passenger out.

Yes, I have....but only with the placard. My Mom and Grandma both have one.

I will admit that it's nice to park there if it's cold outside. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Something is wrong with this statement on so many levels.... <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Thank God for the handicapped parking slots for those needy folks who benefit from them.

In Florida in the winter months almost half the cars have senior citizens who have handicapped signs. One man's disability may appear to be nothing but a doctor needs to sign off on the application to receive the sign...so who knows.

What bothers me is that someone will use a handicapped spot to park up front and then exit their car and walk to the store. When they emerge with a powered cart they drive to their spot and leave the cart out where it can be rained upon. Just seems inconsiderate of another handicapped person.

Awwwww........... thats wrong! I love those parking spots right now! The mall near us there are 3 right up front and they are the best!!

After my achilies surgery, I thought about it many times. Each time I found myself crutching my ass across a long Wal-mart parking lot (just as an example).

However, as I am crutching myself passed 20 or 30 or so EMPTY handicapped spots, I couldn't help get agrivated. Seriously, how many handicapped people are going to be at Wal-mart at the same time?

Well, because YOU'RE NOT PREGNANT!! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I don't understand spots like this. Where's the "broken leg" spot? Where's the "sprained ankle" spot? It kills me that people think 50 extra feet of walking might kill them. <img src="/images/graemlins/rolleyes1.gif" alt="" />

Trust me, there were PLENTY of times I think I would've wished for a broken leg or a sprained ankle over being pregnant. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

People with broken legs or sprained ankles shouldn't be driving! haha, they can be dropped at the door.

I think the pregnant spot helps because your not supposed to lift alot and if you've been shopping the bags can get heavy! Its not so much the walk from the car to the mall, its the walk from the mall (after walking so much inside) to the car!

Heck- I'll make any excuse for them right now because I love parking close so I don't have to waddle so far. If a place doesnt have them I dont care, but its pretty nice when they do!

I'm sure they help with heavy bags...but, um...well, nevermind. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I would use them, too, no doubt. Although it's a nice service, I just don't see the "need".

I asked a guy once how far along he was when he got out of his car. Would have been even better if I was 8 months pregnant. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Never. It's illegal and just wrong.

On the other hand, if it's very late and a woman has to go to a 24/7 store (and there are only a few cars in the entire lot), For safety purposes I think she should park as close to the building as possible. Parking lots are the #1 location where women are attacked.

Pregnant parking spots <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> I have never seen one of those in my life, or course we just got rid of the hitching posts around here a few years back <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

When I was in high school and worked at Tops pushing carts, I was amazed at how many perfectly capable old people that parked in handicap spots. They think they can park there just because they are old. These people had no obvious disabilities, no cane or walker or anything for support.

I did it when I was in college <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Oh wait I got thrown out of college <img src="/images/graemlins/naughtydevil.gif" alt="" />

KING

I have seen a lot of young people use them too. They jump out and fast walk into the stores. What really makes me mad is people that leave the shopping carts in the parking spaces. I guess it takes to much time to walk them to a holding area. I know you've all seen the wind catch them and blow them into the side of someones car.

Well see my wife is 9 months pregnant so it's cool, I really can park there now. Even when she isn't with me, she could go into labor anytime so I need a closer parking spot to get home faster <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Hey Lee did you talk your wife into naming your little girl GMdawg yet <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thats the middle name <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Actually her name is Sophia GMDawg Rose. A little less than 2 weeks to go and she will be here!! <img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

How do you figure? You can't tell me you consider being physically handicapped and being obese on the same level?

Obesity might not be a normal handicap but if you have several hundred extra pounds then I think it does become a physical handicap at some point.

I've only parked in handicap spaces when I've been with someone who's had the handicap sign.

Nope, never have, but have gotten into verbal arguments with people that have the stickers in their window, but it's obviously for a family member or something as they walk or even jog into the store.

That ticks me off more than someone who parks there without a sticker, because you would think people with legitimate family members with disabilities would know better than to use it when it's not required.

But then again, it's easy to get a sticker/card anymore with minimal disability.

But I don't like parking my car near the front, thats where the people in a hurry usually park and they tend to be careless with their cars, I don't want mine dinged or scratched.

I'll tell you what, when I was visiting Utah many years ago, we went to run some errands with my buddies uncle. Not only did we not park in handicapped spots, we would drive past 10 perfectly good spaces and park farther away... at first I thought it was just vanity over him not wanting to get his Benz dinged... but then I noticed, he was still parking by other cars, just farther from the store. So I asked. Well, as tradition has it in Salt Lake City, those who are young and healthy make it a point of leaving the closer spots for those who need them but do not qualify for the handicapped tag.. It is a simple gesture and one that I continue to practice to this day when I can.

I did once......it wasn't well marked and the paint had eroded to where you really couldn't see it.....but I did notice faint markings as I pulled out.

I would have been sick had I seen some crippled person staggering across the lot to get into the store.


Other than that honest mistake.....no.

It ticks me off to see people park there just because they have a sticker. Possibly someone in the house requires it, but even if they aren't there, you see perfectly fine people park there and just walk on in. <img src="/images/graemlins/plthumbsdown.gif" alt="" />

Senility and near blindness can't stop many of our "seasoned "citizens.

Did you ever wonder why wherever there is a car or truck plowing into innocent bystanders that the driver is always a 70-90 year old driver? Apparently accelerators only get stuck on Buicks and Caddys when a geezer is driving.

I can vouch for that. My grand father was routinely allowed to renew his drivers license well into his 80's despite the fact he was legally blind and deaf. How that never showed up as a condition for renewal is beyond me, especially in light of the fact we are so often reminded that driving is a privilage, not a right.

There are many types of handicaps that are not physically visible........that is why some folks that "look" healthy and normal have the stickers. I have friends that "look" perfectly normal but are handicapped. Just to use a phrase....don't judge a book by it's cover.

Just to answer this one. I have a placard for my truck. Not all the time will i use a cane. Especially if i'm just going in and out. If i don't use my cane could you tell that i have had a hip replacement and knee replacement and 5 surgeries now on my ankle to repair break and get it ready for ankle replacement, or that i have artristis in almost every joint in my body. Most days you wouldn't be able to tell because of the meds. There are several times i'll go in with my wife and part way through shopping i'l have to go set while she continues shopping. Just want you to know it's not always like you see it in the parking lot. And by the way i'm not that old. That would be GM <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" />

nordawg

Don't make me put my teeth back in and bite your bad ankle <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I normally park in the first decent spot I see... don't need to park close but don't want to park in the boone docks...

and I HATE people who park in a disability spot and it's obvious they don't have anything wrong with them

i never have...

i've considered doing it for my hockey games, just because i have so much crap to lug inside the arena, and disabled/old people don't play hockey, and nobody watches my games, so i wouldn't be harming anyone, but there are constantly cops going in and out of that parking lot as it is a good way to get in-between the big streets that have grass area dividers, that are on each side of the arena..

I'm a car nut and I park in the most remote areas of the lot to avoid run away carts & door dings . I don't now why I bother. It's like the Borg says, "resistance is futile." I park in a remote area and 9 times out of 10 when I return to my car somebody has parked right next to me even though the whole lot is half empty. Nothing strikes fear into the heart of a car guy like a station wagon full of kids in a parking lot. On the upside I get some nice Christmas cards from Dent Wizard. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Ohh hell yeah man, I do the same. But I always park near a car more expensive then mine. Or I park by a van with doors that slide and this way I can pull in and not leave her rear sticking out, thus limiting any cart hits. I luv my car, If anyone hurt her they would get beaten!