Fraudulent use of disabled parking placards explodes in last decade, 1 in 10 California have one

[Liberal_in_LA]

I'm glad they are cracking down on this crap

Fraudulent use of disabled parking placards explodes in last decade


David Wisansky, an investigator with the California Department of Motor Vehicles, speaks with Magdalene Osherenko as he confiscates her disabled parking placard during a sting operation along Camden Drive in Beverly Hills. "I think it's not fair what you're doing," she told him. (Al Seib, Los Angeles Times / May 22, 2011)

In Beverly Hills, a DMV agent confiscates a disabled parking placard from a woman leaving a fitness center.

In downtown Los Angeles, a motorist launches into a rant about "evil" meter readers after acknowledging that he's using someone else's disabled parking pass.

And in neighborhoods near UCLA, 17 students are stopped and questioned as they scurry to class, their cars parked in restricted zones, disabled parking badges dangling from their rear-view mirrors.

Fraudulent use of disabled parking placards — those blue or red badges that allow motorists to park for free or in specially reserved spaces — has exploded in the last decade, according to state motor vehicle officials. With 1 in 10 California drivers now legally registered to carry the passes, transportation experts say abuse has become commonplace. At any given moment, on any given street, more than a third of the vehicles displaying the tags — and parking without paying — are doing so illegally, say officials with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-disabled-parking-20110522,0,7204414.story

[aquart]

1. Uh, my mom has a placard and instructions to go to the gym.

They're not mutually exclusive at all.

[Liberal_in_LA]

2. The lady in the pic was using her mom's placard. The full article has more details.

[Mojorabbit]

49. I agree, I thought that was a weird statement in the article snip. nt

[Tony_FLADEM]

3. I always see people who are able to walk using Handicap Placards

It makes me mad because I am in a wheelchair and I need a handicap parking spot so I can get my lift down. I always have trouble finding one then I have to park in a regular spot. Then someone parks next to me and I have to wait until they come back.

[Liberal_in_LA]

4. yup. And many are using legitimate placards - it's easy to get a doctor to write the necessary note

People bellyache to their doctor and get them.

[Tony_FLADEM]

7. They should just be grateful they are able to walk.

[nadinbrzezinski]

54. One exception, people with Chrons may look

very heatlhy to you and me, but severe chrohns causes severe pain... so yes they are waking... but the pain is enough

OTOH I have knee issues, I could easily qualify for one. I can still MOSTLY walk... so I don't... and yes, it gets bad enough at times.

[MedicalAdmin]

81. Thats a good point. I look normals to most folks.

I can even sort of shake hands with folks. But I'm paralysed in my arms and have trouble with vertigo and pain. Somedays, like today, just getting up is an exercise in 10/10 pain levels.

And I don't think I need handicapped parking because I can usually walk if I need to. Those in wheelchairs / walkers / etc. really need them.

I never used to question the placards. Now I wonder if I should. Anyone who abuses that privilege should have their legs broken so they learn empathy IMHO. (Ok - not really but grrrrrrr).

[MedicalAdmin]

80. The doctors at our office have written VERY few.

Some doctors are whores tho'.

[dsc]

6. not everyone who is able to walk is abusing them

My dad is able to walk but not long distances. He very legitimately has his placard.

[Liberal_in_LA]

10. absolutely. That's not the issue. It's people with NO disabillity using them

Football team members at one of the large Universities here (UCLA or USC) were caught using them a few years ago.

[Tony_FLADEM]

11. Most people are not abusing them but many of them are.

I see people who are in their 20's and 30's and they look perfectly fine and they are using them.

[99th_Monkey]

53. +1

I'm 67 and like your dad, can walk but deal with chronic pain associated with how far
I have to walk, and would appreciate not being guilt-tripped on DU for having a tag.

[etherealtruth]

58. My 73 year old mother has one as well ...

she can't walk distances and is fairly unsteady for the short run.

My 28 year old son was in an auto accident 8 years ago and sustained crushing injuries on the right side of his body ... he can now walk, but not w/out experiencing excruciating pain (not necessarily at the time, but for days after).

I am appalled by people using bogus placards ....but understand one can never know what a persons situation is by observing them for a few moments.

[MedicalAdmin]

82. Exactly.

I had never thought of this, but I am going to default to the assumption that if they have a placard, then they need one and let the authorities sort out the abusers -- just like they are in this article.

You just can't tell by looking at someone. You just can't.

[shanti]

72. again

f you're truly entitled to one, you should have one.

one of my neighbors has them on their car(s), although the person they were originally meant for died several years ago. now the whole able bodied family uses them. that burns me up.

[MedicalAdmin]

83. Reporth them and all thier car license numbers to all the local cops.

If a report is filed it will be put on the daily alerts and if they are found using them fraudulently then they will get ticketed, towed, or worse.

Serves the fuckers right. Do the right thing and whistle a happy tune.

[HelenWheels]

8. I can walk and have a Handicapped sign

I just can't walk very far. I've had 3 hip surgeries and 5 back surgeries which leaves me able to walk but not very well. If I can find a spot that isn't too far for me to walk I will take it and not use the Handicapped spot. Some people with heart or lung conditions can't walk far and may use a handicapped sign. However, I do agree the signs are abused. I have reported people who are parked without the sign.

I was staying in a hotel and their ramp had only a few designated parking places. They were all taken by cars without the handicapped sign. I reported this to the check in clerk. She immediately called security and they contacted the drivers. I don't know what they did to them but the parking spots were soon opened.

[REP]

9. I have an hcap permit

My kidneys are failing. I also have pretty bad arthritis, but I can walk. Get mad at people who take our spaces without a permit, not other disabled people who have different disabilities.

[Tony_FLADEM]

12. I see young people who walk normal and they are using them.

If you are going shopping in a mall and every handicap spot in taken. It's more likely that some people who shouldn't be using them are, rather than a bunch of disabled people decided to shop on a particular day,

[REP]

16. I look fairly young. I walk fairly normally (for short distances; then I limp a bit)

I get exhausted very easily. Unless one is familiar with the signs of kidney disease - which are obvious on me but easily covered by glasses - I might seem like a very tired shopper or someone recovering from the flu.

I was 27 when I had cancer. I was 31 when my renal disease started to fill my lungs with fluid.

[Tony_FLADEM]

18. Sorry you have all those health problems.

Maybe they should have 2 types of handicap parking permits. One for people with cars and those with vans who need the extra space to get their lifts down.

[REP]

25. No need to be sorry; just pointing out that looks can be deceiving

As I said in a post to someone else, the more fucked up I get, the harder I try to look unfucked up. I'm probably not the only one. :-)

You know where I can NEVER find an hcap spot? At the main med facility of my provider!! Had to go there today because of a leg problem... Good time for an effing hike, right? Argh!

[MedicalAdmin]

84. YOu are not. I don't want to be treated differently.

So I am very good at hiding my disability and I don't talk about it to anyone except some family and close friends. And so I look normal, but maybe a little under the weather. It pisses me off when I see non disabled using the disabled spots.

And I do something about it. And so should we all.

[lbrtbell]

38. Wal-Mart has handicapped van parking available

I know they're bad in many ways, but they do provide for the handicapped as well as they can.

[Tony_FLADEM]

45. Yes, I have used these handicap parking spaces when I shop at Wal-Mart

It's a little tricky if there are many vehicles parked. I rarely shop at Wal-Mart however.

[MedicalAdmin]

85. Gee, you mean they follow federal law?

The ADA means that stores that are above a certain size MUST comply with the ADA. Period. If that law wasn't in place then Walmart wouldn't have a fucking thing for the disabled. Except disdain.

And they are not alone.

[Hepburn]

41. You know, that is a great idea.

Vans with ramps need the extra space. Maybe there is something that can be done about that.

[Tony_FLADEM]

46. Yes, they should have a special placard for people with handicap vans.

This would make it more difficult for people who are not really handicap to use these spaces and would be more efficient. A handicap person driving a car does not need all the space of someone driving a van.

[Hepburn]

56. I have a friend who is a paraplegic ~~ T-4 spinal cord injury

When I go to visit him, if we go out somewhere, I drive his van and it has an electric side ramp. It takes a lot of room for that full sized Chrysler van and the ramp and there are times when it is tight. I can and have, of course, stopped at the entrance to where we are going and he can exit and I can park the van pretty much anywhere...but when he is alone, I know there can be problems.

I have a handicapped sticker because I have orthopedic problems with my feet and have arthritic knees and hips. Some times, I am OK and can walk a bit farther on some days and I try to avoid using the Handicapped Spaces if I can. The problem I encounter is that at times, I am good going in, but coming back out...OUCH...I really needed to be closer. Actually, sitting seems to be more of a problem with the knees and especially my hips. Movie theater seats can be agony at times. So I will sit in the handicapped areas there were I can move my legs around without bothering someone in front of me.

[Liberal_in_LA]

65. I love the handicapped seating areas in movie theaters. I admit I have

sat in that area when movie has started and they remain empty. Like using the handicapped stall in the restroom, I assume it is ok.

[Hepburn]

70. I don't think that is a problem because you are there and if...

...someone comes in who needs the spot, you can move for them.

I have problems with people sitting next to me because of my hips. I like the seats where the arm rest can be pushed up ~~ that way I don't bump into one of them by accident. I feel weird putting up the arm rest between me and a stranger.

Every try the Landmark Theaters? Some of them have showing rooms with couches and that is awesome!

[MedicalAdmin]

86. If you are evern in Portland try McMenimins Theaters.

Most of the places have really nice seating (couches and loungers in the Kennedy School), they brew their own beer, and you can get a sandwhich or pizza etc with your movie. AND they are cheaper than the chain cinemas.

It's one of the things I miss about Portland.

[lbrtbell]

36. What I hate are the "mothers with small children" parking places

I swear to God, I've seen these (and pregnant women's) parking spaces CLOSER to the malls, while handicapped parking is pushed halfway down the parking aisles.

A pregnant woman should be entitled to a regular handicapped parking placard if she's unable to walk long distances--this would leave the prime parking available for ALL disabled people, not just pregnant women.

As for mothers with small children...get real! Small children aren't a handicap.

I will NEVER shop at a mall that has such parking, and I always call them later to tell them so.

[Digit]

48. Harris Teeter down here has the "mothers" parking

The "mother's" parking is right in front and they provide several spaces. They put the handicap parking much farther away but provided a ramp. Whoopee.

I complained to management and also wrote a letter to Harris Teeter. Mgmt said they had numerous complaints from people needing the handicapped spots. I never heard back from corporate.

They seem to think everyone is in a wheelchair and don't consider those with breathing issues, or are in a cast, or have any number of conditions.



Needless to say....I don't and won't shop there.

[Liberal_in_LA]

21. agreed. We aren't talking about people with non visible handicaps. its the fraudsters

that are the problem

[Donnachaidh]

13. those of us with breathing disorders -can- walk, but do need the placards

I have problems making it into some stores, because the spaces are far enough away to give me problems. Am I supposed to wear a sign with my diagnosis on it in order to use it?

[Tony_FLADEM]

14. I'm not singling out anyone in particular. If every handicap spot at a large shopping

establishment is occupied it's most likely because some people are abusing the privilege rather than a bunch of people with health issues are all shopping at one time.

[Demonaut]

17. the issue is fraud, when u can't get a close spot because all od the

handicapped locations are taken then I'm sure you would want only those who need them get them, I get pissed when I see those that appear young and healthy sometimes run into a store, at least at a brisk pace
I never confront them but it arouses my suspicion...I know I may be wrong

[lbrtbell]

39. I do confront them. - n/t

[REP]

19. Oh, I know how you feel!

Weirdly, it's almost always other hcap placard holders who want to play doctor (and it's very rare). Most other people are nice; I joke I have a "douchebag with sportscar" placard since I do drive a sportscar (the heated seats are terrific on the arthritis, and I'm short, so it's a good fit for me).

I actually spend a lot of time trying to look undisabled the more fuckec up I get! :hi:

[Donnachaidh]

33. that's just it, some days I don't *look* disabled

If we're not having a smog alert, and it's early enough in the morning, I might just *have* a bit of a spring in my step. So does this make it open season to snark at me because I *don't look* disabled? My medical history, as well as the hospital bills say otherwise.

I live in a college town, and I see far more fraud from the college kids than anyone else. Heck, there are times I could use the motorized shopping carts at Target, but there are none there. Do I go search out the least *disabled looking* one in the store and tell them to get the heck off?

We need to start fining the DOCTORS that are writing these permission slips for people who really don't need them. Do it publicly and loudly - and you'll see the numbers drop like stones.

[MedicalAdmin]

87. Fines? Bad idea.

If you really want to fuck them up then suspend their presciption authority for a while. That will thump their wallets with an ax.

And it is the prescriptive authority that allows doctors to recommend the placards. They are NOT supposed to be abusing that authority and they are SUPPOSED to know when to recommend or not recommend.

So basically what I am saying is that I agree 100%.

[lbrtbell]

40. I understand their anger

I usually just ask what their handicap is, to make sure I don't make an ass out of myself. If they ignore me, that's an admission of guilt, so that's when I let them have it.

[pipi_k]

57. Just wondering...

Why someone's non answer would be an admission of guilt...

Maybe the person has a hearing problem and didn't hear you.

Maybe the person just figures it's none of your business and is too polite to say that.


Mr Pip has a placard. He has one knee with all the cartilage gone, the other knee was replaced in 2009 and is still very painful. He has morphine pills which he doesn't like to take unless it's absolutely unbearable. He has also been diagnosed with COPD and Sarcoidosis.

Depending on the day and how he felt, if someone asked him what his disability was, he would either ignore the person or tell that person, "It's none of your fucking business, asshole!"

But in the eyes of some, he would be "guilty" of fraud.

sigh...

:eyes:

[nilram]

68. xxx

on edit: nevermind

[lbrtbell]

35. In all fairness, you can be handicapped w/o a wheelchair

My mom can't use a wheelchair or electric scooter because the hard seats (she's VERY thin, even needs pillows on padded recliners) and the bumpiness of pavement/floors causes agonizing pain. She has to use a shopping cart as a walker--it's the only way she can walk.

I get weird looks because I use a motorized scooter while she's walking, because people subscribe to this theory that only wheelchair-bound people are handicapped...and that young = healthy. My severe pain is mostly in my feet. I can walk for a while, but after a while, I would have to sit on the floor because my feet hurt so bad. I started riding scooters in bigger stores for that very reason--it was humiliating to be on the floor, getting sympathetic and/or weird stares from people. That's when I figured I'd rather brave the insensitive comments from some people who don't understand that Mom and I are dealing with our pain in the best way we can.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely sympathize with your plight--I was wheelchair-bound at one point, too. But please understand that the ability to walk doesn't mean you have the ability to walk long distances. For many of us, even getting from the handicapped parking space to the store is painful. :(

[Hepburn]

37. Some people who are disabled can walk.

People with congestive heart failure use the sticker and are entitled to do so because while they are able to walk, it is usually only for short distances.

However, there is NO excuse for blocking a disabled parking space by using the blue hatch marked area next to the space. That truly is totally discourteous to disabled drivers, even those who are not using wheelchairs. Often a disabled non-wheelchair using driver needs more room to exit a vehicle because of crutches or needing to have the vehicle door wide open. Sorry any idiot has parked on top of your van and blocked you in. Hope they were ticketed and towed.

:hi:

[Raine]

55. Just because you can't walk doesn't mean you aren't handicapped

and aren't entitled to a placard. I don't understand why people can't understand that a handicap is not just the inability to walk.

[MedicalAdmin]

79. I am paralyzed. In my arms.

And I don't park in disabled parking. I can walk so I do even if it is painful sometimes.

The point is that I can do it. I remember a Lambourgini driver peeling into the parking lot of a store I was walking into. He didn't have a disabled license, tag or placard. And he parked in such a way so that BOTH disabled spots were taken up.

I asked him if he was disabled and he "I'm important and in a hurry," and started to rush off. So I went all mob on his ass and said, "Gee it sure would be a shame if someone got mad at your for parking in a disabled spot and keyed the fuck out of your car while you were RUNNING into the store to pick up groceries..." He said if you do anything to my car I'll have you arrested. I said I had no intention of doing anything to such a beautiful car, but that it sure would be a shame if someone else did...."

He stopped dead in his tracks, looked at me standing about 10 feet from his car with my keys in my hands, told me to fuck off, got back in his car, and drove off. I congratulated him on doing the right thing and thanked him as he drove away.

I went in, did my shopping, and walked home whistling a happy tune.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. My dad used to say that people like this were just wishing handicaps on themselves

And my mom would say they are already mentally handicapped.

[Fumesucker]

26. I think that says it all.. n/t

[MedicalAdmin]

88. I think I like your mom. She's seems like a sharp lady. n/t

[Donnachaidh]

15. we had some out of state college kids using placards from their home state

And quite a few of them were expired, too. It got so the cops had to patrol our complex checking placards, because they were so blatant.

[Liberal_in_LA]

22. same here

[dmallind]

52. out of state placards are fine

not expired ones of course, but all states do and should honor permits from others, since disabled folks travel too.

[Odin2005]

20. This makes me so angry.

People with physical handicaps obvious can't use the disabled spots if these frauds are using them!

[Liberal_in_LA]

23. so many people now have the placards that handicap spots fill up!

[Blue_Tires]

24. I guess the fake "CLERGY" placards will come back in style...

I read an entertaining story in a science mag a few years ago where an (anonymous) engineer living in a big city with scarce parking dressed his SUV as a fake (but perfectly legal) generic quasi-government car. No matter where he parked it, no one gave him a ticket...

[JVS]

27. People without disabilities should just park in the spaces for pregnant women.

The pregnant spots aren't legally binding.

[Liberal_in_LA]

29. Those came and went in California - I am assuming they realized any woman could

claim the spot... are they going to require a pregnancy test? A few years ago, pregnancy spots were introduced in Los Angeles - they were for pregnant women or women with small kids. Within a few months they disappeared.

[xmas74]

89. College girls around here always park in those spots.

I remember when I was very pregnant I couldn't get a spot to park in because of all the college kids fighting over them.

[BobTheSubgenius]

28. When I used to have to drive my dad around, I said this...

...to one of those creeps.

"You know that spot is for the PHYSICALLY handicapped, don't you?"

[NYC Liberal]

30. "Inspector's Brother" - an actual "placard" found in NYC:

Unbelievable that someone would have the gall to make this and actually use it.

It's not just placards for people with disabilities that are being abused.

[madamesilverspurs]

31. I have the hang tag and license plates,

so there's no doubt of my qualification to use the parking spaces. Sometimes it's a race between two or three of us to grab the one available spot. One time when I lost to the other car, the driver parked and then he and his passenger sprinted into the store; clearly he was not the one to whom the tag was issued. Unfortunately, my car "stalled" right behind his; he came out of the store to find my car hood-up. He offered to push my car out of the way, I declined his offer explaining that I didn't want to aggravate his "handicap". His buddy took off and left him there to sulk for the hour it took my car to fix itself. The store manager, by the way, came out and poked his head under the hood with a grin and a wink; he still gives me a thumbs up when he sees me in the store.

-

[Control-Z]

43. Great story!

I love it when karma makes an immediate showing. Just doesn't happen often enough.

[treestar]

62. Clever!

:yourock:

[Liberal_in_LA]

75. lol. funny story

[MedicalAdmin]

91. Bwahahahahaha. That is GREAT!

[SmileyRose]

98. + a billion!!!

[saras]

32. We need to distinguish "fraud" from "I can't see why they're handicapped"

The obvious solution, since lots of legitimately handicapped people would clearly be inconvenienced by making the use of parking permits more difficult, is to make the penalty for demonstrated fraud higher - high enough that no longer looks economically profitable to risk. Something like losing one's license for a year would probably do it.

[Donnachaidh]

34. how about fining the doctors that hand them out like stickers in a pediatrician's office?

I know of several college kids who were sons/daughters of doctors who had placards -- guess where they got them from? Make it costly for doctors and you'll see the numbers drop accordingly.

[MedicalAdmin]

92. Make it a mandatory suspension of the doctors...

... prescriptive rights. Even a weeks time would cost them PLENTY.

[jwirr]

42. I have diabetes and my darn doctor won't give me one. He says I

need the exercise.

[MedicalAdmin]

93. I hate to say it but that's what our doctors would tell you.

Depending on the severity and complicating factors. Some diabetics we wouldn't tell that to.

[jwirr]

96. My doctors are right and I can still get around quite easily so it would

actually be wrong for me to get one. When I was taking care of my daughter I had one for her so we could be closer to the store. But she was in a wheel chair so that was a whole different story.

[Shagbark Hickory]

44. Good. Crack down on those fuckers. nt

[Sky Llama]

47. I park at the far end of the lot.

My doors are less lilkley to get hit as well as the rest of my car. And I need all the exercise I can get.

[Shandris]

50. I was given one of the placards also, quite legally, because I'm not...

...supposed to walk long distances.

However, and this may just be my ego getting the better of me (something that has happened many times during my sickness. you know, where you convince yourself you're better than you really are?), but I simply won't use mine. I haven't used it in over 3 years, because even though I get very tired and am not supposed to walk, I can at least walk. A person in a wheelchair can't do that much, and I'll be damned if I'm stealing their spot so I don't get tired.

I realize that this is not something everyone can do, nor do I look down on those who can't or ask them to do as I do, but I feel that so long as -I- can make it, I will do so without the placard. It's the same thing about food pantries. I'm more than legally and morally able of going to a food pantry. However, I CAN pay for my own food. I have very little left -- if any -- moneywise at the end of the month, but that's more than some people have and food pantries are finite resources. I won't take it so long as I CAN pay my own.

[Lugnut]

51. I see this stuff all the time.

Just last week I saw a young woman and child trot into the grocery store after parking with a placard hanging on the rear-view mirror in a handicapped spot. How I wish I could trot to the front door of the store! I try not to not judge people but WTF?

I have a gym membership because I need to do a specific strength training routine that was designed by my PT. I have incomplete spinal cord injury and maintaining muscle strength is the reason I can walk with a cane and avoid using a wheelchair most of the time. Be careful about judging disabled people who go to a gym.

[Liberal_in_LA]

77. The lady in the pic was using her mom's placard to go to the gym!!!!

The issue wasn't using the placard to visit the gym. The issue was that she was using someone else's placard.

[Mr. Jefferson]

59. Indeed, I always thought those spaces were reserved for the physically, not mentally handicapped.

However, I will never understand the one size fits all nature of the number of handicap spaces required. It would appear to me that more are needed at, for example, food stores; on the other hand, there are always multiple rows of empty handicap spaces at Lowes and Home Depot.

[WCIL]

60. My mother qualifies for a placard and won't take one

because she is afraid someone worse off could use the space. On the other hand, I work with a woman who has her mother's placard. Her mother is blind and my coworker is her primary transportation. She freely admits to using it when she goes somewhere alone if the lot is crowded, because usually "I'll only be a minute!" I would love to see her ticketed; she is just so blatant about her abuse.

[Liberal_in_LA]

64. sooner or later she'll get caught. n/t

[nilram]

69. I probably qualify, but haven't gotten one.

I think about getting one and just using it on the really bad days. Not there yet, though.

[MedicalAdmin]

94. If you would love to see her ticketed, file a police report.

YOu've seen this so report the woman and give her car license number, make and model. Tell them that she told you that she is using her moms placard (so it isn't seized)

By reporting it officially that info gets on the morning roll out duty sheet and all the officers know to watch for it. Will it get her caught, not necessarily, but patrol cops don't have time to look at placards without reason... so give them a reason.

[Little Star]

61. Here in MA our disabled parking placards have pictures on them and..

the owner of that placard better be in the car if a cop is called with a complaint.

[Hepburn]

71. Good idea on the picture, IMO.

However...in Calif, if one is transporting a disabled person and sitting in the car waiting for him/her at the location, that is OK. Like dropping the disabled passenger off at the entrance itself and parking the car and waiting. I don't see a problem with that.

[Little Star]

73. That would be ok here also I think. n/t

[Digit]

74. I love that idea!

Every state should pass something like that.

[Name removed]

63. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JoeyT]

66. Perhaps they should issue a wallet card along with the placard?

I could understand not wanting your name on the placard or tag for the world to see, but issuing a regular card to go in your wallet seems like it would work. That way the placards and parking spots could only be used by the people that are actually need them. Combine it with making the ticket really high (Like $1000 for a first offense) and you'll have no problem getting police to check.

[Hannah Bell]

67. 12.4% of the us population = over 65 (2000). why is it such a stretch that around 10% of the

population might have some kind of disability that impairs their mobility?

i don't see why that statistic is supposed to be so horrifying.

i think california is looking for revenue & hyping the "cheaters" theme as a dog whistle.

not that there aren't cheaters. there are always cheaters, and there are also gray areas.

just that instead of taxing california's billionaires, california chooses to play the "welfare cheat" angle.

because we all know that people using social services cheat majorly, while those using "welfare for capital" are paragons.

and as usual, the population being screwed jumps in to aid in their own screwing: "Yeah, get those cheaters!"

[LanternWaste]

78. What percentage of the over-65 driving demographic do imagine possesses impaired mobility?

What percentage of the over-65 driving demographic do imagine possesses impaired mobility and requires use of the handicap spot?

[wickerwoman]

90. They recently found 50% of people over 65 had some kind of impairment.

http://www.netmechanic.com/accessibility/who_are_the_disabled.shtml

I don't know how that breaks down for the driving population or for mobility, but there are quite a few people with limited stamina who can drive but can't walk very far. People with heart problems or severe diabetes don't look disabled but have legitimate reasons to use the disabled parking.

[Hannah Bell]

99. turns out that 16% of the california population is over 65; more than in the us as a whole.

if we figure 1/3 of them/their families have a handicapped sticker that = 5.3% and handicapped in the rest of the population = 4.7%, that's 10%.

not a big stretch.

i hate these stupid articles published for no other reason that to give people the impression that other people are cheating right and left.

it's manipulative bullshit.

[Hannah Bell]

97. my point is that since nearly 13% of the population is over 65 & since 80% of folks over 65

have at least one chronic condition, & since there is a baseline of disabled/ill people in the under-65 population as well, i don't see that 1/10 people having a disabled permit is a big shocker.

and those over 65 = 16% of the population in california.

http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?xid=zm4wjy28lvdhs3

so i don't see the big shocker.

nor do i see the point of stupid articles like this that suggest tons of people are cheating. no evidence other than anecdotal evidence is presented.

you may have a different opinion, and you can discuss your opinion without asking me stupid questions.

at the moment, for example, i myself am disabled, though not over 65. impaired mobility, hopefully not permanent.

[MindPilot]

76. Once saw a comic who was on crutches

He opened his set by holding up his handicapped placard and going on at some length about all the advantages it conferred on him parking-wise, then he said "...and if I lose it, I just go to the DMV and they give me another one. The bidding starts at $500."

[slackmaster]

95. I know a guy who has a placard because he's a medical marijuana user

His doctor agreed he should be able to park right in front of businesses because he's likely to forget where he parked.