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.