There’s a type of abuse that many Kaua’i drivers are guilty of, according to the county Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator. It’s a type of abuse that up until now hasn’t been the stuff of front-page news, though. But it’s
There’s a type of abuse that many Kaua’i drivers are guilty of, according to the county Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator.
It’s a type of abuse that up until now hasn’t been the stuff of front-page news, though. But it’s happening on the island all the same, said Christina Pilkington, county ADA coordinator.
People without placards are parking in stalls designated for handicapped drivers or passengers, and others think it is OK to park on the striped areas next to the handicapped stalls.
It’s not OK, said Pilkington, as parking in the access aisles between handicapped stalls prevents some handicapped drivers and passengers from being able to get in and out of their vehicles.
She has found herself shooing county vehicles out of handicapped stalls and access aisles, or from in front of wheelchair-accessible ramps and curb cuts.
Some drivers see the handicapped stalls and adjacent access ways between the stalls, as well as areas of curb cuts and wheelchair ramps, as convenient loading and unloading areas, she said.
“They really are abused a lot,” she said of the handicapped stalls and other ADA improvements. “It happens quite frequently on Kaua’i,” she said.
A new state law effective Monday, July 1 ups the maximum fine to $500, and requires merchants and government to paint or re-paint the access aisle stripes and post “No Parking Access Aisle” signs at the head of every aisle.
On Kaua’i, Pilkington and others are still mulling establishment of volunteer access police who will be on the lookout for violators of handicapped-parking laws.
Those risking fines and other sanctions aren’t just those who park illegally in handicapped stalls or access aisles, she said.
Doctors who hand out placards too liberally, those who loan placards to other drivers, and those who hang on to placards after a temporary disability heals, could all be fined, Pilkington said.
People who suspect abuse of placards or illegal parking in handicapped stalls should call the Kauai Police Department’s dispatch line, 241-6711, she continued.
Pilkington and others have already lined up volunteers to re-paint stalls, and are still researching plans for volunteers to monitor compliance with state parking laws.
Staff Writer Paul C. Curtis can be reached at mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net or 245-3681 (ext. 224).
