Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site gcc-opus.ARPA Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!bellcore!decvax!genrad!wjh12!talcott!harvard!gcc-opus!alien From: alien@gcc-opus.ARPA Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: Re: handycapped spaces Message-ID: <171@gcc-opus.ARPA> Date: Tue, 18-Dec-84 08:57:27 EST Article-I.D.: gcc-opus.171 Posted: Tue Dec 18 08:57:27 1984 Date-Received: Sat, 22-Dec-84 01:17:45 EST References: <121@iris.UUCP> <4000022@hp-pcd.UUCP> <755@oliven.UUCP> <184@talcott.UUCP> <909@ihuxn.UUCP> Reply-To: alien@gcc-opus.UUCP (Alien Wells) Organization: General Computer Company, Cambridge Ma (creators of Ms. Pacman) Lines: 45 Summary: In article <909@ihuxn.UUCP> res@ihuxn.UUCP (Rich Strebendt) writes: >| I have only rarely seen a legally occupied handicapped parking space, and I >| have often seen a large, completely full parking lot. >A word of warning to visitors to the Chicago area. Many communities >have passed laws making the citation for illegally parking in a >handicapped space cost the violator $50. In Boston, it is $100. However, the problem is very bad. You see, the former mayor of Boston encouraged massive expansion and blocked any plans for massive parking. It seems that he *knew* that everyone would take the T (public transportation) into the city. This policy was echoed by surrounding cities (like Cambridge). The result is massive parking shortages all around the Boston area, and no-one wants to take the T anywhere. From what I have seen, Boston must be the illegal parking capitol of the US (in addition to being the car theft capitol). Triple parking is not uncommon on some streets (which inflames the already uncomfortable driving conditions). A total disrespect of any law, regulation, or sign concerning driving and parking is common. It is in this environment that some places mark off as many as 5% of their spaces for handicapped drivers, often in places where no handicapped people frequent. When there is double parking in front of the fire hydrants, it is not surprising to see non-handicapped people in handicapped spaces. I personally never do it, but I also never double park. The $100 fine is helping, though. As is the Denver Boot (applied to any car which has too many tickets outstanding). Of course, in true Boston tradition, it is being applied in a number of questionable places. A friend of mine got one of the $100 fines for parking within 5 feet of a handicapped ramp at a corner (even though he made sure he left access to it clear). I remember being ticketed once for parking in a lot near the Haymarket in a space that no-one else could fit into, but blocked nothing and nobody. You see, I was parking in a space with no meter. Of course, I had circled for 15 minutes looking for a space with a meter that was open ... Sigh! Alien PS: Towing is free in Boston, but it costs $40 to get your car back. How does this compare to other places?