Street Smarts: Parking allowed for various disabilities

Alan Oslin of Everett writes: Just what qualifies a person for a disabled parking permit, and just who hands them out?

I would think that to qualify for a disabled parking permit the disabled person would require a cane, walker, wheelchair or some other kind of aid to get around. Yet, the people I see taking up the parking space with their disabled permits in view, get out of their vehicle and walk into the mall, or into Wal-Mart or a Fred Meyer with absolutely no trouble at all.

These disabled spaces should be reserved for those who truly have a mobile disability, who need an aid to get around.

I would love to hear the stories people who are actually not disabled tell their doctors or whoever it is that they so desperately need a permit to park in a disabled parking area.

Brad Benfield, a spokesman for the state Department of Licensing, responds: The Department of Licensing is responsible for issuing the license plates and placards used by individuals granted the privilege of using parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities. To apply for this privilege, an individual has to have a medical professional such as a doctor or licensed physician assistant complete a special form to certify that they have one of the medical conditions detailed in state law.

It is important to note that while many of the medical conditions that qualify an individual to use special parking are mobility related, there are several more that would not be visually apparent. These include acute sensitivity to light or automobile emissions (exhaust) and some categories of lung or cardiovascular disease.

Right turn on red?

Cherie Poyner of Arlington writes: Is it legal to take a free right turn on a red light from an inside lane to an inside lane? I have found myself in this situation, with a car honking behind me to move ahead and have even asked two state troopers who didn’t give me a clear answer.

One of the intersections in question is 172nd Street NE and 27th Avenue NE, exiting the Costco shopping area at Smokey Point. Another location is the I-5 northbound exit ramp onto Fourth Street in Marysville.

Trooper Keith Leary of the State Patrol responds: Page 24 of the state driver guide says you can make any right after stopping and when safe to do so, unless the intersection is posted with a sign that reads “No right turn on red.”

E-mail Street Smarts at stsmarts@heraldnet.com. Please include your city of residence.

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