Parking Between the Lines: A Radical Concept?
I headed to the Regal Palmetto Grande to catch a movie and, before I even made it to the theater, I got today's "parking performance review."
As I was looking for a spot, I came across this previous-generation Toyota RAV4. It wasn't just a little crooked. It was parked right across the access aisle next to a handicap space.
Now, because I'm a right above-knee amputee with a prosthetic leg and I rely on handicap parking when I need it, I pay attention to these things. Before I get out of my own vehicle, I almost always take a second look to make sure I'm centered between the lines. It takes maybe five extra seconds.
Those painted blue and striped areas aren't decoration. They're there so people using wheelchairs, walkers, prosthetics, or other mobility devices have the room they need to safely get in and out of their vehicles.
Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I still think staying between the lines is a pretty good idea.
What's next? Maybe I'll start stopping at red lights too.
Sometimes the smallest acts of courtesy make the biggest difference for someone else.
The Great Handicap Parking Mystery of Mount Pleasant
Today I headed over to Town Square in Mount Pleasant to catch Pressure, the new D-Day movie.
(By the way, if you're curious what I thought about it, check out my movie review at https://NielFlamm.com/videos/moviereview.)
As a right above-the-knee amputee, I usually look for an accessible parking space. It's closer to the theater, the walk is easier, and getting in and out with a prosthetic leg is a whole lot less like an obstacle course.
Then I spotted it.
The same accessible parking space.
The same questionable parking job.
The same blue-haired driver.
At this point, I'm convinced this is either a social experiment or an attempt to see how many spaces one compact sedan can occupy at once.
Folks, this wasn't a monster truck. It wasn't an oversized SUV towing a boat. It wasn't a bus.
It was a mid-size sedan.
A vehicle specifically designed to fit between two painted lines.
Yet somehow it was parked like it had ricocheted off three shopping carts before coming to rest.
I stood there wondering if I should leave a helpful note:
"The lines aren't decorations."
Maybe the parking lot needs bowling bumpers.
Maybe flashing runway lights.
Maybe one of those airport workers with orange glow sticks directing traffic.
To the mystery blue-haired parker: I have faith in you. The engineers who designed your car have faith in you. The people who painted the parking lines have faith in you.
One day, you'll center that car.
Until then... I'll keep bringing my sense of humor.
And don't forget to check out my review of Pressure over at https://NielFlamm.com/videos/moviereview.