Last time I was through Indiana any of their Law Enforcement Officers might have cared very much. Signs at the border: “Welcome to Indiana!” “Improper use of Handicap Parking $500 fine.”
Not all handicaps are visibly apparent. Be careful who you judge. Some handicaps are not a “mobility” impairment, but respiratory-related or of similar issues. Some HP permit holders are allowed to park in HP spaces because of who they are transporting (and they usually know that they cannot park in a HP space when they’re not transporting the person who the permit is issued for).
Some folks think that if there is no one in the HC space there won’t be, “I will only be a couple of minutes” .Then a handicapped person comes by and has no place to park. It is especially bad during cold weather, man it is difficult getting to the store when you can’t move very well.
@Nabuquduriuzhur: Actually the Swiss aproach to fining according to income is making people equal in the eye of the law. The fine is a percentage of your income and not an extra taxation of rich people. So if on a modest income you pay a (relatively) modest fine and when you have an exuberant and morally hilarious income you pay adequately.Denmark, Sweden and Norway use similar systems with at minimum fine.
Wife has a-fib and I’ve had a heart valve replacement and have been turned down for HC permits! No big deal, as I can still walk unaided though she can’t. But, since I’m the only one that can drive——-Laws in Illinois are a bit confusing – some HC spots have signs stating $50 and $75 fines, but in Peoria I’ve seen them posted at $350!
My dad once got nicked on a HC spot. Residentail street, and the sign was partially hidden by a tree. He was 85 at the time and probably could have applied for a permit.Anyway, he was the type of person that if you took a swipe at him, you’d better be on solid grounds!A bit of research revealed that the sign had been put up for a lady that had gone to a nursing home a couple months ago.Her caregiver was using the spot for her personal parking, and called 911 anytime someone else parked there!
I don’t know if he had to pay the fine, but next day the sign was gone!!
I have printed up cards that I place on the windshield when I see someone obviously misusing a handicapped spot. It simply states,“Lazy is not a handicap.”
I doubt that local governments even try to delude themselves that traffic ‘fines’ are about safety anymore. It is simply, and only, a source of revenue. Fines are getting more and more exorbitant, and no longer fit the so-called crime. This comic pokes fun at a serious occurance, but a half-million dollars? And some of you agree ! Talk about cruel and unusual punishment.
Someone who has means will just go ahead and pay the fine and just continue doing as they have been doing. The punishment needs to hurt, like having them do public service or go to jail. This could stop some.
Any law with a zero tolerance policy is wrong, there can always be a good reason to break that law. Scoflaws should be made to pay/work in a way that it makes sure they won’t do it again.
While I, for one, appreciate that kind of honor and valor, today you would be sued for assault and battery and publicly condemned for being a vigilante.
Rich man: “Well, now to fire ten people for a year so I can pay the fine.” While taking a handicapped space unlawfully for one’s own convenience is reprehensible, bleeding the rich backfires. Their money isn’t sitting around not doing anything. In order to pay hefty fines, they have to free up the money from whatever else they were doing with it, which generally equates to other people’s incomes.
The European laws explain why the rich hire drivers!Is the fine based on the car’s owner or driver?Generals are usually very capable of driving themselves,but by having a pfc do the driving, well, in case of an accidentthe general isn’t tied up with dourt time.
ratlum over 10 years ago
At least I have a handicap permit.
Llewellenbruce over 10 years ago
I thought that only applied to automobiles not horses.
KenTheCoffinDweller over 10 years ago
Last time I was through Indiana any of their Law Enforcement Officers might have cared very much. Signs at the border: “Welcome to Indiana!” “Improper use of Handicap Parking $500 fine.”
WCLamb over 10 years ago
Not all handicaps are visibly apparent. Be careful who you judge. Some handicaps are not a “mobility” impairment, but respiratory-related or of similar issues. Some HP permit holders are allowed to park in HP spaces because of who they are transporting (and they usually know that they cannot park in a HP space when they’re not transporting the person who the permit is issued for).
loner34 over 10 years ago
Some folks think that if there is no one in the HC space there won’t be, “I will only be a couple of minutes” .Then a handicapped person comes by and has no place to park. It is especially bad during cold weather, man it is difficult getting to the store when you can’t move very well.
ankerdorthe over 10 years ago
@Nabuquduriuzhur: Actually the Swiss aproach to fining according to income is making people equal in the eye of the law. The fine is a percentage of your income and not an extra taxation of rich people. So if on a modest income you pay a (relatively) modest fine and when you have an exuberant and morally hilarious income you pay adequately.Denmark, Sweden and Norway use similar systems with at minimum fine.
tuslog64 over 10 years ago
Wife has a-fib and I’ve had a heart valve replacement and have been turned down for HC permits! No big deal, as I can still walk unaided though she can’t. But, since I’m the only one that can drive——-Laws in Illinois are a bit confusing – some HC spots have signs stating $50 and $75 fines, but in Peoria I’ve seen them posted at $350!
tuslog64 over 10 years ago
My dad once got nicked on a HC spot. Residentail street, and the sign was partially hidden by a tree. He was 85 at the time and probably could have applied for a permit.Anyway, he was the type of person that if you took a swipe at him, you’d better be on solid grounds!A bit of research revealed that the sign had been put up for a lady that had gone to a nursing home a couple months ago.Her caregiver was using the spot for her personal parking, and called 911 anytime someone else parked there!
I don’t know if he had to pay the fine, but next day the sign was gone!!
David Huie Green ForceIsAUsefulFiction over 10 years ago
No, we’re calling it a$500,000 tax
dan5393 over 10 years ago
I have printed up cards that I place on the windshield when I see someone obviously misusing a handicapped spot. It simply states,“Lazy is not a handicap.”
brklnbern over 10 years ago
Seems your comment is one of the few intelligent ones.
mr_sherman Premium Member over 10 years ago
How about “Stupidity is not a handicap.”?
Squirrelchaser over 10 years ago
I doubt that local governments even try to delude themselves that traffic ‘fines’ are about safety anymore. It is simply, and only, a source of revenue. Fines are getting more and more exorbitant, and no longer fit the so-called crime. This comic pokes fun at a serious occurance, but a half-million dollars? And some of you agree ! Talk about cruel and unusual punishment.
route66paul over 10 years ago
Someone who has means will just go ahead and pay the fine and just continue doing as they have been doing. The punishment needs to hurt, like having them do public service or go to jail. This could stop some.
Any law with a zero tolerance policy is wrong, there can always be a good reason to break that law. Scoflaws should be made to pay/work in a way that it makes sure they won’t do it again.
jim_pem over 10 years ago
While I, for one, appreciate that kind of honor and valor, today you would be sued for assault and battery and publicly condemned for being a vigilante.
jim_pem over 10 years ago
Rich man: “Well, now to fire ten people for a year so I can pay the fine.” While taking a handicapped space unlawfully for one’s own convenience is reprehensible, bleeding the rich backfires. Their money isn’t sitting around not doing anything. In order to pay hefty fines, they have to free up the money from whatever else they were doing with it, which generally equates to other people’s incomes.
tuslog64 over 10 years ago
The European laws explain why the rich hire drivers!Is the fine based on the car’s owner or driver?Generals are usually very capable of driving themselves,but by having a pfc do the driving, well, in case of an accidentthe general isn’t tied up with dourt time.