December 1, 2007
Parking Jerks On Notice
With parking at a premium this holiday season, shopping malls see an increase in lazy, self-important jackasses who park in Accessible Parking spaces and abuse legitimate disability permits.
The mind boggles at the selfish sense of entitlement this takes, and the Toronto Police Service won't care that you "just had to return a video." The Parking Enforcement Disabled Liason Unit have just entered a month-long enforcement blitz, focusing on those who park illegally in Accessible Parking spaces, particularly at shopping centres.
And just because you borrowed your sweet old grandmother's Buick doesn't mean you can take advantage of her disability permit. Accessible Parking permits are non-transferrable, nor can you make copies of them or alter them in any way. They're also invalid if the vehicle is not picking up, dropping off, or transporting the person named on the permit.
Violators may be charged under the Highway Traffic Act for fraudulent use of the passes, though we wish there were more penalties just for being a colossal douchebag.
Photo by seanmcgrath.
|
The worst thing is, it's always the SUVs parked in the disability parking spots. Like it's not bad enough you're a jerk for screwing with disabled people, you're also killing the earth.
But no, no it's ok, you must be a very important person with your monstrously evil car and illegal parking skillz. Go right ahead. Be a douchebag.
Glad to see somebody's doing something about this. I have been noticing it more and more recently.
It's amazing to think that there are so many people out there who will take every advantage to exploit their laziness. Just think, with a permit, one won't have to walk as far to BlockBuster to return that precious video.
One will be able to park closer to the favourite local pub or take out facility.
I truly despair of the younger people who think the world owes them everything. They are a sad commentary on our society.
Young people? I don't know anyone under 40 who owns an SUV.
Triple the fine, make it a year long blitz, publish photos - whatever it takes, make it less tempting for those lazy idiots.
There's always the option of making them honest, if you know what I mean.
I agree that I don't know anyone under 40 who owns an SUV.
Chalk this one up to the boomer's misguided sense of entitlement, rather than youthful indiscretion (possibly combined with some Gen X laissez faire attitude).
I mean, most of the people I know who are my age (twenties) were way too indoctrinated with politically correct thinking in elementary school to dare do something like that.
No, the people I see tend to be the "hey, I've got 3 kids, 2 jobs, soccer games, cello lessons, ballet, an interior designer, a stock broker and a holiday party I'm throwing to get to, why should I have to pay attention to stupid things like not illegally parking my Hummer?" type.
I know at least 10 people under 40 with SUVs. You get kids and its nigh impossible to avoid a larger vehicle. (kids and SUVs? they should be locked up!)
Hey, I resent that! Personally, I only (double) park in the disability lots when I'm feeling particularly under the weather. And I always remember to make a big show of limping out of my Monster Hummer, lest anyone mistake me for a "self-important jackass."
When you've got three screaming kids in your SUV, tugging at your skirt and demanding you bring them some ice cream, suddenly that whole "wheelchair" symbol doesn't seem so intimidating.
What does "douchebag" mean?
Are we still ragging on SUVs? I thought we had moved onto imported, non-sustainable food products.
Not only are douchebags parking in disability spots they don't deserve, they're doing it so they run into Burger King and grab a Whopper THAT'S KILLING THE EARTH!
Also, David E ... why younger people? They can suffer from disabilities too.