From Harford County Government:
(Bel Air, MD) – – The Harford County Commission on Disabilities and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office encourage residents to be respectful of drivers with disabilities during the holiday shopping season.
The Commission wants drivers with disabilities to learn about parking accommodations for people with disabilities and the use of special parking placards and registration plates.
“Accessible parking is critical to many motorists with disabilities, but they need to know all the rules and conditions that apply,” said commission member Bob Coen.
Frequently, drivers with disabilities cannot find parking because some drivers without a disability use the spaces. The Harford County Sheriff’s Office will check cars parked in accessible spaces to make sure they have placards or designated license plates displayed. Drivers must also show their Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) issued identification. Failure to do so may result in a fine.
“Motorists with disabilities need the spaces provided for them in order to shop, dine and access businesses. Remember: the accessible spaces are there for a specific reason and if you do not require special parking, then parking in that spot for just a minute is 60 seconds too long. Motorists with a disability are also reminded to correctly display their placards when parking, remove them while their vehicle is in motion and make sure to always have your copy of the medical certification in their possession,” said Harford County Sheriff L. Jesse Bane.
If your county needs more parking space, you should consider hiring some of those experts in parking lot paving. This would increase the space for a systematic parking lot for a safer driving environment for everyone.
For more information and local resources about disability, visit the Harford County Commission on Disabilities’ Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HarfordCountyCommisiononDisabilities.
Please, also remember to not park in the striped lines that are next to van accessible spots. These are needed for those with an handicap accessible van with a side entry for the ramp in their car for their passenger that uses a wheelchair. It is also important not to park crooked in those lanes, as well, as it limits and may keep a person in their wheelchair from being able to get their ramp in place so that they can get back into the car. This has happened many times to my son and I where we then have to back the car into the lane of traffic to be able to get the ramp open so he can get in or out of the car and then we have to repark the car, etc. Thank you and we appreciate your attention to this matter!
To bad none of the police agency’s enforce this. They could pay for the fuel for the new helo.
Love the people who pull the handicap tag out and put it in the window and they aren’t even the one with the handicap. They are for people who need them…NOT THE ONES WHO DON’T. Too many people feel privileged to be driving and say that they have every right to park where they want. I’m sure if the police agencies started to enforce this law and then the people would get the message. Just like the ones who part in 15 minute parking….oh wait, the cops do that at district court and they are there for hours. Do ya see anyone giving them a ticket?
Can’t wait for this to be truly enforced. I had a temporary placard last year when I ruptured a muscle in the bottom of my foot and was in a cast up to the knee. Could barely get around for the first few weeks and it was frustrating to see an obviously able-bodied person pull into a handicapped spot and dash in a store. While I would never do such a thing, it did crossy mind how is like to put my crutch through their windshield.
able-bodied people quickly slip into a handicapped spot, jump out of their car
and aptly go into a store while I had to park way out. Makes you want to take your crutch and bash their window in.
First, I will ticket anyone I see parked in a handicap spot. Second, the problem with society today is it’s easier to blame the police than to take some individual responsibility. If you’re not handicap, just don’t park there. Simply park somewhere else and don’t be lazy. People just don’t care these days unless they’re directly affected. I’ve written a bunch of those, not so cheap, parking tickets and I’m always ment with anger, attitude and a lack of responsibility. Now if it were a family member of theirs unable to park there due to someone breaking the law they would demand justice.
It’s simply Asking to much for the Handicapped law to be inforced to many areas to cover. But it would be nice to see a couple, Hours spent at Aberdeen Wal mart checking Placards.