100 YO Drivers

[Gregory Matthews]

California has some 8,000 people who are known to be over the age of 100.  It is believed that probably most of then no longer drive.

California has currently some 26,000 valid Disabled Parking placards issued to people who are over the age of 100.

Due to a new law which will go into effect next Monday, California will begin to check Federal and State records in an attempt to identify and prosecute people who have obtained those placards in violation of the law.

 

[Outta Here]

Is it possible that they have these placards because someone else has to do all their driving for them? I ask because I have two elderly grandmothers (both 93, soon to be 94) who no longer drive themselves, but do have legal driver's licenses issued by their respective states. One still owns her own vehicle, the other does not. But both have disabled placards so that whenever their caregivers drive them, they can park close to the buildings they're trying to get to. 

[Gregory Matthews]

You have raised a valid issue, in my mind. I intend to comment on this later, but right now I do not have time.

[phkrause]

9 hours ago, Aubrey said:

Is it possible that they have these placards because someone else has to do all their driving for them? I ask because I have two elderly grandmothers (both 93, soon to be 94) who no longer drive themselves, but do have legal driver's licenses issued by their respective states. One still owns her own vehicle, the other does not. But both have disabled placards so that whenever their caregivers drive them, they can park close to the buildings they're trying to get to. 

I have been thinking about that! Since my Mom has now given me her car. She has a Disabled Parking placard, and I was wondering if she, now that she wont be driving anymore, will be able to continue getting one?? I will ask her doctor on her next visit.

[Outta Here]

Here's another thing to consider. Some people have more than one placard so that they can keep one in each of the cars they use frequently. My mother-in-law has been unable to use her legs for driving for the past 35 years. She still drives but uses hand controls instead of foot controls. She is co-owner of two vehicles and has a placard for both. When she rides with me, she'll bring a placard with her for me to use so that the car will be as close to the entrance as possible. 

Although she is one person, she has 2 placards--and one of the cars actually has a license plate with the disabled logo as well.

 

[Gregory Matthews]

Let me give you an example that  concerns me:  NOTE:  The name has been changed to protect the privacy of the person.

Jim J. is a disabled person, who is not married and has a license to drive, which he renews when required.  Jim does not consider that he is safe to drive.  So, Jim has not driven for several years.

Due to his disability, Jim J. has been issued a disabled placard.   Everywhere that Jim goes, which includes going to work as Jim is employed, he is driven by a relative.  When Jim goes grocery shopping, or anywhere else,  the driver parks  in a handicapped space.  Why, the driver does not need to park there.  But, Jim does as he can not easily walk any distance.  Parking in the handicapped space allows Jim to get out and to take charge of his life in a manner that Jim could not otherwise do.

Question:  Should a handicapped person, who never drives, be issued a handicapped placard?  I say yes.

 

[Gregory Matthews]

Handicapped license plates:

Should a handicapped license plate be issued for a 2-wheel motorcycle?

I had a handicapped friend who was issued such a plate for his motorcycle, by Colorado.  A Colorado patrolman once stopped him because the officer did not believe that a handicapped person could ever ride a motorcycle.  

NOTE:  The time came when my friend had to give up riding his motorcycle as he  could no longer safely do so.

 

 

[Liz]

My husband is blind, he has a state issued ID card--he has two handicapped placards, one for our car and then one for him to take if someone other than me drives him. My daughter has cerebral palsy. While they both can walk, those few extra steps on uneven asphalt can and does make a huge difference between getting into a store safely, or accidentally stumbling on uneven ground.

[Gregory Matthews]

Exactly

 

[aka]

Thank you Liz for being faithful to your daughter and to your husband. Your situational testimony has given me courage to continue on coping with the burden in my life that I carry. My deepest wish is to praise Him when the going is toughest. All the knowledge gathered about the love of God for me remains head knowledge in times of pain and stress. But I seek constantly to move that knowledge down to the depths of my faith in His character so my soul life bathes in His goodness.