Handicapped Parking Should Require Photo ID
New South Carolina law curbs misuse.
Matt Miklas
Issue date: 2/23/10 Section: Opinion
I have a problem and South Carolina has a solution for it.
All over the CSRA (and even Augusta State University), I see an underlying problem. The problem is that people everywhere are using grandma's handicap placard as a way to either park closer to buildings or get better parking spots at major events.
To me, this is wrong. Let me introduce myself, I am a 21-year-old person with a disability, and I have seen this problem for as long as I can remember.
However, I feel confident that this problem will be solved soon. A new law passed in South Carolina has established new requirements regarding the application process that is required to obtain a handicap placard.
On Jan. 1 2010, South Carolina passed a new law that required that all applicants must have a photo on their placard. The new law also states that all previously-issued placards must have photos on them no later than Dec. 31, 2012.
I believe that this should be a law that every state adopts. I cannot express how much that it irritates the living crap out of me to see jerks that are perfectly able of walking 20 feet to their destination parking in a handicap parking place. It absolutely infuriates me when I see a Cadillac (nothing against Cadillac) with grandma in the passenger seat, pull into a handicap space while junior runs into Taco Bell.
In my experiences, I have come face to face with some of these people. To make a few long stories short, they were not happy when local officials (i.e. police officers) told them that they had to move.
The bottom line is that if you have a handicap placard, and it does not belong to you, you should not use it. For one reason, you are not disabled. Secondly, it is morally wrong.
It is for addressing this very serious legal and moral issue that I applaud the state of South Carolina, and I challenge the state of Georgia and other states to follow suit. I know there will be some problems at first, but in the long run, it will make a huge difference for people with disabilities.
All over the CSRA (and even Augusta State University), I see an underlying problem. The problem is that people everywhere are using grandma's handicap placard as a way to either park closer to buildings or get better parking spots at major events.
To me, this is wrong. Let me introduce myself, I am a 21-year-old person with a disability, and I have seen this problem for as long as I can remember.
However, I feel confident that this problem will be solved soon. A new law passed in South Carolina has established new requirements regarding the application process that is required to obtain a handicap placard.
On Jan. 1 2010, South Carolina passed a new law that required that all applicants must have a photo on their placard. The new law also states that all previously-issued placards must have photos on them no later than Dec. 31, 2012.
I believe that this should be a law that every state adopts. I cannot express how much that it irritates the living crap out of me to see jerks that are perfectly able of walking 20 feet to their destination parking in a handicap parking place. It absolutely infuriates me when I see a Cadillac (nothing against Cadillac) with grandma in the passenger seat, pull into a handicap space while junior runs into Taco Bell.
In my experiences, I have come face to face with some of these people. To make a few long stories short, they were not happy when local officials (i.e. police officers) told them that they had to move.
The bottom line is that if you have a handicap placard, and it does not belong to you, you should not use it. For one reason, you are not disabled. Secondly, it is morally wrong.
It is for addressing this very serious legal and moral issue that I applaud the state of South Carolina, and I challenge the state of Georgia and other states to follow suit. I know there will be some problems at first, but in the long run, it will make a huge difference for people with disabilities.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Samantha
posted 4/02/10 @ 5:52 PM EST
I agree with you on the point that ppl do tend to abuse the use of disabled placards. I have witnessed it myself. However, I do not agree that an actual photo ID of the person should be placed on the actual placard. (Continued…)
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