Law doesn't require disabled to leave car - Hawaii News

QUESTION: I read with interest your column about metered parking for disabled persons .

[Judy]

I am a healthy person who gets out and does business while my handicapped husband waits in the car. If he has to go to the bathroom while I am away, he has quick access to facilities. I learned this the hard way, when I used to park according to my abilities and save the handicapped parking for those who need it. I sincerely hope that the law doesn't require the handicapped to get out of the car to be able to park near the facilities. I have equipped my husband with a cell phone so he can call me if he needs my assistance while I am away from the car. I do not feel that this is an abuse of his parking privilege.

[711 Stores]

The placard has to be used the right way. Its numbered and recorded.

[Flexo]

Judy wrote:

I am a healthy person who gets out and does business while my handicapped husband waits in the car. If he has to go to the bathroom while I am away, he has quick access to facilities. I learned this the hard way, when I used to park according to my abilities and save the handicapped parking for those who need it. I sincerely hope that the law doesn't require the handicapped to get out of the car to be able to park near the facilities. I have equipped my husband with a cell phone so he can call me if he needs my assistance while I am away from the car. I do not feel that this is an abuse of his parking privilege.

This is something that didn't occur to me when reading the article, and probably a lot of other folks.

[manini]

If they are going to be so manini about the handicapped placard, just have the challenged person get out of the car and lean or sit on the hood of the car. If anyone of authority questions them, they just have to say they are winded and need to rest.
And with the HIPAA laws, I'm not sure it's legal for anyone to ask if they are handicapped, and what their handicap is.
Regarding the tires going past the fender question, Kamimura says those vehicles are subject to citation by the police.
But what if it's a marked police vehicle in question?

[alice]

please protect their rights

[Shibai]

The vehicle inspections here are a joke! How many cars do you see with illegally dark windows, and they pass inspection every year. All you have to do is slip the inspector some kala, and you got your sticker. Please don't confuse this process with vehicle safety!

[Poi]

"Handicap" parking has become VIP parking for fat, lazy scumbags.

I love how the "Handicap" stalls are always full at big box stores like Costco and Walmart and Target.

These scammers need to park close so that they can walk around the 10 acre mega store.

Makes sense to me.

The law needs to change for only the physically handicap who have doctor prescribed/documented mobility assistance needs like wheelchairs.

I can't believe the truly handicapped individuals haven't sued yet. The real handicapped can't even find a place half the time because lazy fat people with a weak M.D. got a letter signed.

[Local fisherman]

Shibai wrote:

The vehicle inspections here are a joke! How many cars do you see with illegally dark windows, and they pass inspection every year. All you have to do is slip the inspector some kala, and you got your sticker. Please don't confuse this process with vehicle safety!

Add to that all the license plates obscured by tinted, dirty or scuffed sheets of plastic.

[swannie]

Scofflaws with exposed tires, extra-dark windows and loud exhaust systems are just the sorts the cops ought to be pulling over. Chances are that with that "I'm untouchable" attitude they got illegal junk in their car too. When are they going to crack down on those offensive Harley riders with straight pipes?

[Puna boy]

Visit the Ewa Villages golf course and count the number of handicap parking stalls. You'd be surprised. I'm sure the Ala Wai course has a few also. Are these stalls for visitors or employees? Can't fathom a golfer repuiring a handicap stall.

[Khan]

Bachi desrved.

[Poi]

Puna boy wrote:

Visit the Ewa Villages golf course and count the number of handicap parking stalls. You'd be surprised. I'm sure the Ala Wai course has a few also. Are these stalls for visitors or employees? Can't fathom a golfer repuiring a handicap stall.

They have them at ski areas in Tahoe.

Used by skiers.

[fore]

Puna boy wrote:

Visit the Ewa Villages golf course and count the number of handicap parking stalls. You'd be surprised. I'm sure the Ala Wai course has a few also. Are these stalls for visitors or employees? Can't fathom a golfer repuiring a handicap stall.

Haven't you ever heard of a golf handicapper?

[Xie Xie]

Big fat tires are the norm for the small brained and low testosterone individual. It gives them a sense of machismo. They may not provide for their families but at the minimum they are telling themselves that "I am not a loser and I'm not stupid." A person who gets into an accident with one of those vehicles should sue the State and the City with it's deep pockets for non-enforcement of the vehicle reconstruction law. Get a good lawyer.!!

[sideline]

Judy wrote:

I am a healthy person who gets out and does business while my handicapped husband waits in the car. If he has to go to the bathroom while I am away, he has quick access to facilities. I learned this the hard way, when I used to park according to my abilities and save the handicapped parking for those who need it. I sincerely hope that the law doesn't require the handicapped to get out of the car to be able to park near the facilities. I have equipped my husband with a cell phone so he can call me if he needs my assistance while I am away from the car. I do not feel that this is an abuse of his parking privilege.

i have a placard but do not park in a handicap space if i plan to stay in the car. with your way why have handicap spaces if anyone can park there and others do their business that is not handicapped? in fact both me and the wife have handicap placards but we do not abuse it. many people are more handicapped than your husband,and you can drop him off at the front door.

[Stumpy]

The wide tires that throw stones behind the truck are a oain, but when I went to get my recon for my truck a few years ago there were really wide-tired trucks that passed the inspection. They were trucks that belong to cops.

[Judy]

Puna boy wrote:

Visit the Ewa Villages golf course and count the number of handicap parking stalls. You'd be surprised. I'm sure the Ala Wai course has a few also. Are these stalls for visitors or employees? Can't fathom a golfer repuiring a handicap stall.

I think that there is a law that for a certain number of parking stalls there must be some proportionate number of Handicap stalls provided in public parking lots. The Handicapped fought for that law. I am sure that it makes some kind of sense. Maybe when a golf course club house is used for a wedding reception or dining purposes. I am not familiar with Ewa Villages Golf course or Ala Wai Golf course facilities. I have attended parties and receptions at other Golf Clubs.

[Judy]

sideline wrote:

<quoted text>
i have a placard but do not park in a handicap space if i plan to stay in the car. with your way why have handicap spaces if anyone can park there and others do their business that is not handicapped? in fact both me and the wife have handicap placards but we do not abuse it. many people are more handicapped than your husband,and you can drop him off at the front door.

I don't think I mentioned the extent/degree of my husbands handicap. If he needs to use the bathroom he calls me on the cell and I quickly attend to him. He is paraplegic and wheel chair bound. I appreciate that you do not abuse your placard and I respect that. I do what is in the best interest of my husband's health and safety. I do not take him with me to specifically use the parking privileges. These quick stops are done among other activities we share together. I do most of my shopping while he is safe at home rather than having him wait in the hot car while I shop.

[wacos101]

The Legislature is trying to expand eligibilty for disabled parking permits!!! What a joke. There is so much abuse and corruption in the current system that actual disabled persons are denied parking. Parking permits are given to taxi drivers who run around carrying heavy luggage, to teenagers, to anyone who wants one. There is even a doctor(s) who distributes permits to everybody. The State/City refuses to do anything.

[Stumpy]

wacos101 wrote:

The Legislature is trying to expand eligibilty for disabled parking permits!!! What a joke. There is so much abuse and corruption in the current system that actual disabled persons are denied parking. Parking permits are given to taxi drivers who run around carrying heavy luggage, to teenagers, to anyone who wants one. There is even a doctor(s) who distributes permits to everybody. The State/City refuses to do anything.

I AM disabled but not enough to get a parking permit. Yet, I know plenty people that use them and are in perfect health, and they even have them for family members. It's who you know in this town and it's a joke. NO enforcement. Who were the largest group of abusers that were caught? The STATE WORKERS, THE VERY PEOPLE THAT CONTROLLED THE PASSES, AND THEIR FAMILIES.