The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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December 5, 2005

Handicapped parking abusers should be ticketed

It's probably good news to many Enid police have announced their intention to crack down on people who violate the intent of handicapped parking. The Enid Police Department said it would be patrolling specifically for those able-bodied people who park in handicapped spots.

Businesses try to accommodate their disabled customers by providing parking spaces close to the door. These spaces are for people who have physical problems that make it hard for them to walk long distances.

Oklahoma statute reads that it shall be unlawful for any person to place or park a motor vehicle in any parking space, van-accessible parking space, wheelchair ramp area, wheelchair unloading area or any portion thereof that is designated and posted as a reserved area for the parking of a motor vehicle operated by or transporting a physically disabled person unless such person has applied for and been issued a detachable insignia indicating physical disability under the provisions of Section 15-112 of Title 47 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

Yet, we know people think they can pull in one of these spaces and just "run in quickly" to get something from the store.

The handicapped parking spaces are not for the convenience of the able-bodied. They are reserved for people who want to shop and go to eat and do all the things everyone else does, but they physically need to park closer to those establishments.

We hope the police department shares with the public the number of citations they give out this season to those who violate the handicapped parking statute. If violators see people actually are getting ticketed, perhaps that will serve as a deterrent.

We also hope the police department doesn't stop their focus on this after the holidays are over. This is a problem that needs to be addressed year-round.



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