Hangtags while driving?

Question

My mother, who lives in Illinois, has a handicap hangtag, and printed on the bottom is "remove while car is in motion" which she does (good for mom). I think that's an important rule as it creates a blind spot for the driver.

My question is if other states have the same instructions printed on the hang tag, and why so many people drive with them in place? It would appear to be a safety hazard, as it blocks the view of traffic towards the right, especially if you are short. Taking it off and storing it takes about 2 to 3 seconds.

I am tempted to encourage my state lawmaker to introduce a bill making it illegal to have anything hanging from the rearview mirror while the vehicle is in motion, since it creates a serious blind spot, which can be avoided.

Answer 1

You go for it. In Texas, our tags say the same thing. If more police would just pull people over and give warning, I think that would help.

Answer 2

I have and use the Hdcp mirror hang tag - as opposed to the Hdcp lic. plates, because we are a multi-vehicle family, and I often use different vehicles, not to mention I many have friends take me to Medical treatments, Dr's appointments, Hospital, Physical Therapy, - etc.

Having lived in several States, I have yet to have been issued a Hang Tag which did not have the admonishment to "Remove Tag While Vehicle is in Motion"or words to that effect. (Obviously it creates a blind spot). Years ago the hang Tags were made of a less UV resistant Plastic that became brittle at the hanger hook, - and no matter how careful you were, the hook would break off in about 2 years time, (on a 6-year hang tag).

I, (like a lot of other folks), mounted the Hang Tag on the out-board facing side of the drivers Visor and then just flipped it down when I parked in Handicapped Parking- this seemed to work OK too, - and I asked several different State Troopers and City Police if they were OK with that - and they were.

What neither the troopers nor the police liked were when people slid the tag forwad on the dash in front of the steering wheel. The problem with this, (and the reason many people with the Temporary Handicapped Hang Tags do this is that the tag is EXPIRED, and they have gotten used to the convienience of the handicapped parking, so they remove they do not "Hang" the tag anymore - because the expiration date and tag ID number are on the botton 1 1/4 inch of the hang tags.

By sliding the hang tag all the way between the dash and the windshield, there is a band of black paint which "picture frames" the windshield and hides and rough edges of the forward edge of the dash edge - this black paint band also hides the hang tag expiration date and ID number. So people think they are being slick and "getting by" while breaking the law. They also do this with expired "Permanent" hang tags from relatives.

This really doesn't fool anyone in law enforcement, as the registration numbers are clearly visible still, and a quick check of those numbers will tell if the tag is expired or not, stolen, or even in the assigned vehicle. (Stolen Hang tags go for $ 800,00 - $ 1200.00 + in NYC).

I think the hang tag left on the mirror while the vehilce is being driven, ( and let's be fair here - ANYTHING hanging from the mirror, windshield, windshield frame, or headliner; - from dog tags, lei's. graduation tassels, dream-catchers, crystals, air fresheners, pictures, dice, to beads, - ANYTHING that is NOT OEM), might be treated like the old seat-belt law was. You can not be pulled over and issued a $ 35.00 citation for driving while having purposely created a blindspot or obscured field of vision in the drive lanes ahead or on either side of the operator of the motor vehicle, unless the vehilce is stopped for some other moving or equipment violation.

Then if the Operator is issued a warning or citation for a moving or equipment violation, he can also be issued a citation for the restricted vision infration outlined above and be fined not less than $ 35.00 per incident. At some point this law get amended to be like the new seatbelt law; you got it up there on the mirror, - you get a citation. Period.

Just a though.

Answer 3

2

Answer 4

If you check with your local authorities I do believe that it is illegal (and unsafe) to have anything hanging from your mirror. This is due to the fact that it impairs your vision and can become a potential weapon in the event of a collision.
Your windshield is positioned to allow you to SEE any hazards.
Unfortunately, enforcement of laws is not always done. As citizens and drivers we must take all precautions possible to be safe on the roadways.
As for Handicapped Tags......they provide information for other drivers too. Yes they should be removed while driving, but they aren't as large as those Hawaiian leis which dangle, or those beads and crystals.

Answer 5

They drive with them because they're old and don't follow directions and most probably shoudln't be driving in the first place.

I'm pretty sure in PA it is illegal to have anything hanging from your rear view mirror, but probably is not a high priority to enforce. I know my friend's dad has gotten pulled over for fuzzy dice

Answer 6

HIP HIP Horay! I cannot stand beads ball caps CD's Crystals things swinging off mirrors too! My mon insists her Handicap thing hang on the mirror. I swing it up out of the way and then we have the arguement.

Answer 7

I AGREE WITH YOU..................

I HAVE A NEIGHBOR THAT LEAVES HIS ON ALL THE TIME AND AT THE SAME TIME I DON'T SEE HOW ON EARTH HE GOT THIS TAG IN THE FIRST PLACE.

ANYWAY HE TELLS ME THAT THE REASON THAT HE LEAVES IT ON IS BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE LIKELY TO LET HIM INTO TRAFFIC MORE, LET HIM GET THE BETTER LANE AND EXCUSE HIM FROM STUPID MISTAKES THAT HE DOES WHILE DRIVING.

I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THIS WAS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BUT I GUESS I WAS WRONG.

I THINK THAT YOUR IDEA IS GREAT BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE SHOULD STOP AND LOOK CLOSER BEFORE JUST HANDING THESE OUT LIKE CANDY TO CHILDREN.

"THIS IS JUST MY OPINION"