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Remember that handicapped parking problem
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<blockquote data-quote="Marguerite" data-source="post: 280646" data-attributes="member: 1991"><p>This has been an interesting thread for me.</p><p></p><p>Laws are different in different places, but the principle is the same.</p><p></p><p>I was booked once for parking in a handicapped spot when I wasn't handicapped. I honestly hadn't realised that it WAS a handicapped space, because the sign was low down, below my rear window. I felt awful when I realised.</p><p></p><p>Now I am disabled and need the spaces. I am glad that our parking police are vigilant. Our signs often state the size of the fine you can get, for parking there illegally.</p><p></p><p>Our rules in NSW - the person with the disability has the permit. Even if they don't have a car, they can get a permit. To get one, you have to get a doctor to sign the paperwork from the RTA (Roads & Traffic Authority) so it's not easy to 'rort' the system. </p><p></p><p>When in the car going places, the permit is to be displayed on parking. We can park in handicapped spaces, or we can park in a regular space and if it has a limited parking time we get extra time. If it's a 1 hour spot, we can stay all day. A half-hour spot gives us 2 hours. If it's a metered spot, we don't have to pay the metre. And for us, the permit being for the person - if husband is driving me, we are still permitted to park in the handicapped space. Here is why - </p><p>If husband is taking his mother shopping, for example, or me in the days when I needed to be pushed in a wheelchair, then he would be needed to assist the handicapped person he is transporting. Yes, he is able-bodied, but pushing a wheelchair for the length of a car park is not only hard work, it is risky to the person in the chair. You're lower down, other drivers can't see you, they only see the pusher and don't always make allowances for the chair.</p><p></p><p>We don't have paerking spaces for pregnant women. We do have mother's spaces but they are clearly marked, "Mothers with prams". It makes sense. So if your kids aren't in a pram, you can't use the spot.</p><p></p><p>We qalso have "Seniors" parking spaces. I'm not sure about the rules there. The Mothers with prams" and "Seniors" spaces are not legally enforcable, they are only in the parking areas of major shopping centres. But they have security to get nasty, and people generally do obey the rules. I think because tey are fair, they are genuinely needing it. Less chance of being abused.</p><p></p><p>ANyway, it's how it is in our neck of the woods. Interesting to compare.</p><p></p><p>If any of you are unsure about whether you are using the permits appropriately, or if you feel the laws are unfair in your situation, is is always a good idea to make enquiries and raise the matter for discussion. I've seen our rules change a fair bit over time. And because that happens - you need to pay attention to these changes. It is again a good idea to keep in touch, to be sure you're up to date with any changes.</p><p></p><p>Marg</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Marguerite, post: 280646, member: 1991"] This has been an interesting thread for me. Laws are different in different places, but the principle is the same. I was booked once for parking in a handicapped spot when I wasn't handicapped. I honestly hadn't realised that it WAS a handicapped space, because the sign was low down, below my rear window. I felt awful when I realised. Now I am disabled and need the spaces. I am glad that our parking police are vigilant. Our signs often state the size of the fine you can get, for parking there illegally. Our rules in NSW - the person with the disability has the permit. Even if they don't have a car, they can get a permit. To get one, you have to get a doctor to sign the paperwork from the RTA (Roads & Traffic Authority) so it's not easy to 'rort' the system. When in the car going places, the permit is to be displayed on parking. We can park in handicapped spaces, or we can park in a regular space and if it has a limited parking time we get extra time. If it's a 1 hour spot, we can stay all day. A half-hour spot gives us 2 hours. If it's a metered spot, we don't have to pay the metre. And for us, the permit being for the person - if husband is driving me, we are still permitted to park in the handicapped space. Here is why - If husband is taking his mother shopping, for example, or me in the days when I needed to be pushed in a wheelchair, then he would be needed to assist the handicapped person he is transporting. Yes, he is able-bodied, but pushing a wheelchair for the length of a car park is not only hard work, it is risky to the person in the chair. You're lower down, other drivers can't see you, they only see the pusher and don't always make allowances for the chair. We don't have paerking spaces for pregnant women. We do have mother's spaces but they are clearly marked, "Mothers with prams". It makes sense. So if your kids aren't in a pram, you can't use the spot. We qalso have "Seniors" parking spaces. I'm not sure about the rules there. The Mothers with prams" and "Seniors" spaces are not legally enforcable, they are only in the parking areas of major shopping centres. But they have security to get nasty, and people generally do obey the rules. I think because tey are fair, they are genuinely needing it. Less chance of being abused. ANyway, it's how it is in our neck of the woods. Interesting to compare. If any of you are unsure about whether you are using the permits appropriately, or if you feel the laws are unfair in your situation, is is always a good idea to make enquiries and raise the matter for discussion. I've seen our rules change a fair bit over time. And because that happens - you need to pay attention to these changes. It is again a good idea to keep in touch, to be sure you're up to date with any changes. Marg [/QUOTE]
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