Portland blocks state law for wheelchair-bound drivers

03:59 PM PST on Wednesday, December 19, 2007

By RANDY NEVES, kgw.com

The City of Portland is temporarily bucking a new state law some think takes parking privileges away from some disabled drivers.


The law going into effect January 1 is designed to free up more disabled parking spots for those who use wheelchairs. The law creates a special class of permit for disabled drivers who do not need wheelchairs.



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It essentially reduces their privileges by placing time limits for on-street parking meters and requiring payment.


Wheelchair users will still get to park for free anytime, anywhere.


On Wednesday, disabled people on crutches were among those who urged city commissioners to buck the new state law.


Portland city commissioners agreed hold off enforcing the new rules for six months -- that's allowed under the state's new law. It will also give them time to figure out how to interpret the law.


One lingering issue in all this -- is fraud. So far this year, city meter officers have busted 140 parkers for using someone else's disabled permit.


In some cases, the permits belonged to the deceased.


”I'm sure police officers have better things to do with their time than to drag handicapped people out of parking spaces,” driver Bernie Lowenthal said. “It's just crazy, it serves no purpose whatsoever.”


Commissioners are putting together a task force to study the issue with a report due in May.

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/storie....3122a2f5.html