[2banana]

One of the biggest scams is the handicap card for automobiles that allow people to park in the best spaces or not pay.

For fun, sit outside ANY mall in America and see who parks there with an official handicap sticker for their car.

Most are healthier than you and me. About 20% I would say really deserve them...

[Ditter]

I agree, this is something I watch here in Houston too. Maybe the number of cheaters is not as high here but there are quite a few. I have watched young, healthy people park in a handicapped space, with a valid card and RUN into the store or restaurant. The first time I noticed this I followed behind a young woman who ran into Walmart. I expected to find her grandmother in the store waiting for her but she shopped alone while parked in a handicapped spot near the door. I on the other hand, with an injured knee and being over 60 years old at the time, limped in from the back of the lot.

[Kirkwood]

"Most are healthier than you and me."

You can't say that by looking at someone. For example, people with heart disease can't walk long distances. Same for patients undergoing certain types of cancer treatments.

[L98Fiero]

"About 20% I would say really deserve them..."

I've done just that and I would concur with your estimates. I have also seen a trend of obese people getting them around here.

[John Jorsett]

For fun, sit outside ANY mall in America and see who parks there with an official handicap sticker for their car.

When my father was dying, he had a placard. Although he couldn't drive himself, his wife would drive him around, and she found the placard very handy because she could park close to stores/medical offices and it was a much shorter trip for him to get inside. I'm sure that when she dropped him off or came back to pick him up, it would look like she was abusing the privilege. No doubt there are people taking advantage of the system, but you can't always be certain by appearances.

[Alouette]

My husband has a handicapped tag for his car, which I use, as I must wear a leg brace for arthritis. Ironically I am more in need of the handicapped tag than he is.

[SoCal Pubbie]

I think what happens sometimes is a family member who drives around a handicapped parent gets a pass. I don't think they're supposed to use them when driving alone, but if there's no cop round who's to stop them?

[Mike Darancette]

For fun, sit outside ANY mall in America and see who parks there with an official handicap sticker for their car.

Most are really upscale auto's Lexus, MBZ or huge SUVs. I have a sticker but cannot ever find a spot.

[cherry]

"One of the biggest scams is the handicap card for automobiles that allow people to park in the best spaces or not"

tell me about it....I know relatives.....not blood relatives....that wave those things around like trophys......

its too easy to get the docs to okay the issuance of these cards....often, they just don't want to make waves.....

I rarely see anyone park in a handicap spot with an official handicap sticker actually NEED that spot....RARELY....

and I am not anti-disabled parking....my father at age 80 had one and so does a relative with REAL actual dissability....ALS......

but who gets all those parking spots?...its not the people in wheelchairs ......