What would you do?

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:13 pm

You drive into the parking lot of a 7-Eleven on your normal route to work. The lot is full, so you see that you need to park around the side. When you get out of your car, you notice a young man (30-ish at most) drive a black Porsche Carrera into the safety zone of a handicap parking place. The somewhat angled position of the car makes it impossible for a handicapped person to use the spot, and it puts his Porsche far enough away from other cars to prevent any door banging. You are tempted to stare in disapproval at the gentleman, but he's too busy talking on the cell phone that's tucked in-between his ear and his shoulder. He's completely absorbed in his phone world.

Then when you get a closer look, deja vu strikes. You remember that this is the third time you've seen this fellow park his Porsche into the handicap safety zone. And every single time, he's completely absorbed in a cell phone conversation as he goes into the store to get his morning cup of coffee.

You come into the store and the phone conversation has ended. Your morning trip brings you right by him as he finishes adding creamer to his coffee.

This is a true story. Think about

what you would want to do,
what you would probably do, and
if this is different than what probably should be done.

- Bill

TSDguy · Post by **TSDguy** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:29 pm

I don't care about his car or phone. The only thing that is important is that he's using a handicap spot. He's being an ##### for 5 or 10 minutes, but that's not really any of my business.

I either tell him he shouldn't be parking there if I'm feeling angry or motivated, or I just don't care about him at all. He'll get a ticket sooner or later, and those things are like 500 bucks minimum.

I've accidentally parked in handicapped spots before. They're often not marked well at all, or the paint wears off. It's possible he doesn't even know what he's doing.

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:37 pm

That's easy. Here in Lincoln if you have the car's license # you can call the police (non-emergency number) to report illegal/bad driver behavior that you have witnessed and the police will send out a letter to the registered owner of the car stating what was reported to them. There is no ticket or penalty involved since it was not witnessed by the police, but it is on record for if the police ever do catch them at it. Obviously this is for not immediate reckless/threatening behavior, such as racing or road rage, that the police need to try and find and stop right away, it is for one-time offenses that you often see a driver do like running a red-light or cutting off a driver, or parking in a handicap spot. I have reported a few drivers over the years for what I felt were blatant and potentially dangerous acts. Might get them to think about what they do at least, we can only hope and try.

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:20 am

TSDguy wrote:
It's possible he doesn't even know what he's doing.

There absolutely was no doubt here.

The car make likely has a lot to do with it. I've seen this before. People with expensive cars will park crooked in 2 spots so their cars won't get banged by the adjacent cars.

In this case, the handicap space was clearly painted (in blue) and had a sign as well in front. The safety zone (where people get out with their wheelchairs if necessary) has fresh, bright yellow paint in a diagonal cross pattern. The sidewalk in front of the safety zone has no curb at that spot so a wheelchair-bound person can get in the store with little problem.

- Bill

Stryke · Post by **Stryke** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:20 am

block him in and make him wait while I get my coffee , if he argues tel him I`m disabled and someone had taken the appropriae space .

be polite , but clear , leave it to him to escalate , if he doesnt he`ll get the message , if he does he is the antagonist .

Chris McKaskell · Post by **Chris McKaskell** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:25 am

Hey, I know that guy!

Bill, are you sure you don't live somewhere in Ontario??

I've also seen him parking in spots set aside (not reserved) for expectant mothers and families with small children.

I despise this man and fantasize about him a lot more than I probably should.

Sadly, as much as his lack of social grace demands some kind of response, I've been waiting till I see a situation that actually involves him facing off with someone for whom the spot is truly intended.

I mean, I could call the police, but they tend to frown on over-vigilent citizens -- having said that: if I encountered a cruiser I would not hesitate to tell them!

Perhaps I am a wimp. I know what he is doing is wrong. But he's not visibly hurting anyone, so I feel somewhat powerless to act - aside from challenging him directly (risking turning it into something much more than it is) or issueing snide comments (risking turning it into something much more than it is).

I suppose, if I were to truly embrace the issue, what I should do in the future is simply inform the person that the space he is parked in is really there for the selfless reason of providing access to people who - for whatever reason: age/circumstance/injury/injury in active duty - require extra, closer space and it is categorically not there to ensure that his expensive car does not get dented. and then wait to see what happens.

Or we could all agree right now to silently dent all cars parked without permit in such places and eventually teach people not to park there without reason!

Chris McKaskell · Post by **Chris McKaskell** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:28 am

Oooooooh, I like Marcus' idea - we must have been posting at the same time.

Coffeee yah babeee!

Stryke · Post by **Stryke** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:28 am

You guys have really missed the obvious

hes clearly disabled , a 30`ish guy driving a porsche , has some serious issues , I doubt it even has a cup holder or gun rack

Chris McKaskell · Post by **Chris McKaskell** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:30 am

Porches come with gun racks don't they??

Surely cup holders.

No?

4x4?

Awe darn, guess I'll stick to pick up trucks an cargo vans -- real good for block'in in varmints, anyways!

Stryke · Post by **Stryke** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:35 am

Nah I just have the sterotype in my head , you know image sensitive guys trying to drive things in there twentys .

I think there great cars , just a bit too cool for my likeing , nice as a performance car , a race car , but everyday commuting .... hmmm

I once had the pleasure of driving a porsche race car ... spectacular

I think the only rea way to work this guy out is to see hwta he orders for his coffee .

non fat latte with a shot of caramel anyone ?

Chris McKaskell · Post by **Chris McKaskell** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:39 am

non fat chai latte, I'm guessin. yum.

Chris McKaskell · Post by **Chris McKaskell** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:41 am

Sorry, no offence to those that drink 'em.

I'm eager to hear how it turned out, Bill.

Stryke · Post by **Stryke** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:41 am

I think next time Bill sees him he should offer to buy his coffee

tell him how he inspired a great forum conversation about cars , coffee , and the assholes who park in disabled spaces .

Stryke · Post by **Stryke** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:45 am

they must have cup holders , but they probably dnt hold american sized cups do they ?

Van Canna · Post by **Van Canna** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 2:11 am

Then when you get a closer look, deja vu strikes. You remember that this is the third time you've seen this fellow park his Porsche into the handicap safety zone. And every single time, he's completely absorbed in a cell phone conversation as he goes into the store to get his morning cup of coffee.