A lot of people are suspicious of some drivers who make use of handicapped parking placards but appear to be in robust health. This is a big issue in downtown Raleigh, and elsewhere.
Christine Trevillini’s daughter uses a wheelchair, and at Triangle Town Center she sometimes confronts healthy people who hog the handicapped spots.
They park their car in a handicap space with tag and walk the mall for over an hour. I know, I have followed them before. ...
They said they came to the mall for “exercise” prescribed by their doctor. And I said, “Then why did you park in the handicap place?” At that they ignored me and kept moving.
Lynn Carter’s job requires her to visit downtown Raleigh daily.
Every day over 40% of free spaces will be filled with cars with handicap stickers. I can’t believe ther are that many truly handicapped people doing busieness downtown every day. ... I don’t mind paying for parking, either, but far too often the public parking lots are full.
So what's the story from all you downtown Raleigh folks who use handicapped placards to park for free on the street all day?
Some of you have genuine handicaps. Some of you don't. I'd like to hear your side.
Please call me at 919-829-4527 or email me.
Meanwhile, for what it's worth, I see there is a website dedicated to this issue.
Bruce Siceloff reports on traffic and transportation. A News & Observer reporter, editor and blogger since 1976, he took over the
Comments
How did they came to this
Mon, 11/09/2009 - 15:02 — geremyHow did they came to this situation? Isn't the wrongful use of those placards illegal? Somebody should keep an eye on that otherwise we'll have people with handicap waiting in long lines just because healthy people have the "right" placard to use. Sooner or later they will start using street safety signs in front of their homes to keep the traffic away...
Downtown Parking
Tue, 09/23/2008 - 11:19 — Jack (not verified)I have been watching this issue of the so called misuse of windshield placards since it aired on WRAL back in February of 2006. It was then that the public was told that people who use windshield placards are the cause of all the parking problems in downtownRaleigh
If I understand things correctly what is happening is that people are blaming and point fingers at suspected windshield placard violations. This way everyone including people who legitimately need a windshield placard will be suspect and held in suspicion. The idea of law enforcement officials doing their job to properly identify violations has not been a part of the discussion, ever. Why should it? It appears as if the public supports the idea of - “suspect everyone with a placard” - as a way to deal with the issue while ignoring the proper enforcement procedures already in place to address such violations.
Sound like a plan to me, though not a just one.
Where I work there are some
Fri, 09/19/2008 - 16:21 — Anonymous (not verified)Where I work there are some perfectly healthy people that were issued HC placards. They applied only because there is some major construction going on and they refused to be displaced and have to walk a few extra steps. It p****s me off, but what can be done? These are the same people that need the exercise and lose the poundage.
Good goin'!
Fri, 09/19/2008 - 16:11 — Dadof3Thanks for the blog post -- this is a BIG pet peeve of mine. I love that web site -- but, be warned, there's some short and violent tempers out there. I would think a photo of the car in the spot, clearly showing the license tag, sent to the local police, should suffice?