Handicap Parking Permits
Oct 25th, 2010 | 04:19 PM
#21
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
kerouac, I've had two EU permits before and, as you know, they have no provision for hanging. The first couple of times I parked in France I put my badge on the dashboard. Then I saw a couple of different American tags hanging from the rearview mirrors of their various cars and tried it myself. The tag stands out so clearly that a person would have to be blind not to see it so that's where it lived whenever we parked.
As noted in previous posts, the disrespect for handicapped spaces and abuse in France and Spain bordered on shocking. At our hotel in Lyon, which has two spaces which they own directly in front of the hotel, the front desk staff said they have no control over their own spaces. They did nothing to enforce the rampant violations. I have pictures which I'll share with their parent company. The hotel did, at my insistence, refund the 14 euros per night which I had paid for secure parking and which I would not have used had either of the spaces been available to me.
As noted in previous posts, the disrespect for handicapped spaces and abuse in France and Spain bordered on shocking. At our hotel in Lyon, which has two spaces which they own directly in front of the hotel, the front desk staff said they have no control over their own spaces. They did nothing to enforce the rampant violations. I have pictures which I'll share with their parent company. The hotel did, at my insistence, refund the 14 euros per night which I had paid for secure parking and which I would not have used had either of the spaces been available to me.
Oct 25th, 2010 | 09:21 PM
#22
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 24,040
Likes: 6
I have seen police patrolling the parking lots of shopping malls and ticketing cars that were improperly parked.
Also, one day my handicapped (for my mother) card fell off the dash, and I quickly received a 115€ parking ticket. (I was able to get it cancelled after writing to them.)
Frankly, I find handicapped parking very well respected in France in recent years, especially since I often have to find one of those spaces. In the early years, like with anything new, this was not always the case. Meanwhile, when my parents were living in Florida, they were shocked by the number of people who had a handicapped tag and who clearly did not need it. My father was on his last legs before I finally insisted that he needed one.
Also, one day my handicapped (for my mother) card fell off the dash, and I quickly received a 115€ parking ticket. (I was able to get it cancelled after writing to them.)
Frankly, I find handicapped parking very well respected in France in recent years, especially since I often have to find one of those spaces. In the early years, like with anything new, this was not always the case. Meanwhile, when my parents were living in Florida, they were shocked by the number of people who had a handicapped tag and who clearly did not need it. My father was on his last legs before I finally insisted that he needed one.
Oct 26th, 2010 | 03:05 AM
#23
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,567
Likes: 0
If you want to be shocked, go to a mall in Anytown, USA and check the amount of teenagers and youngsters parking their huge SUV on handicap spaces as they borrowed Grandma's Blue Handicapped Placard. How shameful. I do also agree with the people who somehow get their Doctors to give them a note when they is really no need (and I am not talking there is no obvious need, but there is NO need...). Towns Government do have some authority in issuing these and that's how many sisters and cousins end up with one of those in the glove compartment.....
