Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site brl-tgr.ARPA
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!bellcore!decvax!genrad!wjh12!talcott!harvard!seismo!brl-tgr!ron
From: ron@brl-tgr.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Re: Parking Abuse
Message-ID: <6664@brl-tgr.ARPA>
Date: Wed, 19-Dec-84 13:00:09 EST
Article-I.D.: brl-tgr.6664
Posted: Wed Dec 19 13:00:09 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 22-Dec-84 01:25:39 EST
References: <121@iris.UUCP> <4000022@hp-pcd.UUCP> <2032@nsc.UUCP> <6649@brl-tgr.ARPA>
Organization: Ballistic Research Lab
Lines: 33

> The problem is that the implementors of the "handicapped parking space"
> concept have made no provisions for the TEMPORARILY handicapped and have
> dragged in state motor-vehicle-codes and departments when it could have
> been implemented without governmental involvement. At least here in
> Missouri, it isn't enough to have a "wheelchair symbol" sticker on your
> window or bumper; you have to have an "official" license plate with
> the wheelchair symbol embossed on it. And nothing was done to consider
> the valid needs of someone with a broken leg or other temporary disablement,
> who should have just as much access to handicapped parking spaces as those
> permanently disabled. In addition, suppose you have a PASSENGER in your
> car who is disabled, but you (the driver and/or owner) are not disabled?
> The needs of that passenger are just as valid as the needs of some other
> disabled person who happens to own and be driving a car with the
> aforementioned license plate.
> 
> All in all, a badly designed and poorly implemented system, based on
> laudable motives, but destroyed, as usual, by the involvement of government.
> 
> Will Martin
> 
> USENET: seismo!brl-bmd!wmartin     or   ARPA/MILNET: wmartin@almsa-1.ARPA

In addition to the metal plates,  around here you can get temporary wheel
chair permits which are cardboard things with expiration dates and a big
wheelchair logo that goes on your dash.  California has winshield placards
as well from listening to other peoples comments.

The thing that has always bothered me about handicapped license plates
is that in Maryland (or was it CO), guy in the wheelchair is facing off the
edge of the license plate.  Anyone whose taken first level design can tell
you that you shouldn't have people looking off the edge of something.

-Ron