Can I park in a "handicapped parking" spot?

Question

I parked in one today, and while I got out of my car someone yelled out to me, "You aren't handicapped!"

I yelled back, "Yes, I am! ...I'm mentally handicapped!" And then I walked into the store and went shopping.

Answer 1

If your legitimately entitled to park there then that's fine, but if you do not have a disabled stickers or plates on your car, then I hope you get booked.

Your lucky its not one of my clients that you stopped from parking in a disabled parking spot.

She'd park her vehicle as close as possible to yours, call the parking inspector to book you, and then she'd proceed to remove her disabled child, taking extra care to scratch the hell out of your car, and guess what, you have NO legal standing to claim for cost of damages.

What goes around comes around.

Answer 2

In my city you need one of these items:
1. A handicap parking placard, displayed from the rear view mirror, with a valid expiration date. If you're expired, the date cannot be seen or it is lying on the dash you can get a ticket.

2. Any licence plate display the internation symbol for the physically disabled. That would be the wheelchair sign.

3. Any official licence plate which contains DV for disabled vet or PH for Purple Heart.

We have a citizens patrol that can write tickets for people who are illegally parked in properly marked disabled parking spaces. I know, because I have done the course and I have written tickets, so yes, I know what I am talking about.

It is gratisfying when you are writing a ticket and someone says, "You're doing a good job" or "They deserve what they get".

I had one woman park in a handicap spot without a placard. She was also parked over the handicap access area (which is the shaded lines) so she got two tickets, one for each violation. That's $440.

If you really want to park in a disabled spot, come find me and my baseball bat, and I can make it happen ;)

Answer 3

No, You can't park in a handicapped parking space. That space is for Physically handicapped people. And Jeff W needs to change his number 2 answer. Mentally handicapped people CAN drive. Only some of them though.

Answer 4

No- not unless a sticker or handicapped card to hang on your
rear view mirror has been issued to you, especially
if you were just going to shop. Many wheel chair bound persons and oxygen tank carriers with heart problems
need that space far more than you do!
If you need to use one to see your doctor in an emergency
circumstance, write a note to that effect, and use the space
for a limited time. (you still could get a ticket but at least you'd
have a good explanation.)

Answer 5

Weirdo! U can't do that. Thats not right. U can only park in the handicap parking lot if ur handicap (not menatly). OMG! People this days.

Answer 6

I am going to approach this from a slightly different angle. You may or may not care how your actions affect other people, but just in case you do, here it is.

First, if you have a legitimate limitation to mobility, then yes, you can have your doctor help you get a disabled parking permit. Otherwise, no, you cannot park in one, not even for "just a few minutes".

Many people who legitimately use disabled parking permits/spaces have very limited stamina because of heart or lung conditions, pain, chronic or terminal illnesses. If they are not able to use a disabled parking space, they may not be able to get their prescriptions filled, pick up needed groceries, or whatever else they are out to do. My husband and I have about a half hour maximum on any one outing (this means we need to be back home to rest within a half hour of leaving home ... on a GOOD day ...). So every minute spent waiting for or looking for parking cuts into the time we need to do important tasks. We can't just go out later or the next day, either ... we have to rest a day after a day we go out.

I don't like that you were yelled at (if indeed you were), because I don't believe in judging people, and instead like to believe that people are basically caring. People who are rude to those who unlawfully park in disabled spots are stooping to the same level.

I am hoping that I have educated you in the importance of leaving disabled parking for those who need it just to be independent and function in life. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
.

Answer 7

You have to be disabled to park in a handicap spot. Here a fine for doing so is $300. It really comes in handy, especially for people with real problems.

Answer 8

If you don't have medical reasons to get the placard or the plate, I hope you get a stiff fine for being lazy and thoughtless. I am handicapped and would give anything to have good feet and legs again so I could walk with no problem and no pain.

What goes around comes around.

Answer 9

To park in a handicapped spot, you need a handicapped sticker for your car, or special plates. You have to apply for those.

You are a creep if you actually did what you stated. Those spots are for people who need them, not for lazy creeps.

Answer 10

1. You're not funny.

2. Mentally retarded people can't drive.

3. Obviously you need a handicapped license plate or a valid placard.

4. I hope you get a ticket and a huge fine next time.