Disabled Vehicles: A Traffic Nightmare
Posted in Opinion on May 4th, 2011
It happened again this morning when I heard the traffic report. There were a couple of minor accidents, but also not just one, or two, or even three, but four disabled vehicles blocking traffic on major highways.
This is simply unacceptable.
Look, I know mornings must be especially tough if you are disabled. You have to get up early so you have the extra time to get into your car and stow your wheelchair. Then, not only do you have to deal with all the bad drivers out there, but you have to do it using special controls. I’m starting to get upset just thinking about it.
But being disabled does not give you the right to stop your car on a major highway and block traffic!
Hey, we all get upset sometimes, but there are more constructive ways to deal with anger that do not involve making thousands of innocent people late for work. If someone is tailgating you, just jam on the brakes a few times. That’ll teach ‘em! Someone cuts you off? Just give them the old one-finger salute! Sure, they might get angry, but what are they going to do, beat up someone in a wheelchair? I don’t think so.
By blocking traffic, you’re not just inconveniencing people, you’re hurting the economy. A 2010 study found that traffic congestion caused by disabled vehicles cost the US almost $96.2 billion. Americans waste more than 7.6 billion gallons of fuel each day as a result of disabled vehicles blocking traffic. Motorists stuck behind disabled vehicles also waste 40.2 billion hours annually, or ten full work weeks per commuter.
Disabled vehicles must be stopped!
And ultimately — angry or not — you disabled folks are only hurting your yourselves. A stronger economy means more tax dollars. More tax dollars means more money to spend on handicapped ramps and parking spaces.
Let’s face it, disabled or not, we all need to get along. Sure, I use the handicapped stall sometimes, because it’s much bigger and nicer, but if a disabled person needs it, I always say, “Okay, I’ll be out in a few minutes.” And I never use handicapped parking spaces, unless it’s raining or I’m really tired.
So please, disabled people, keep your disabled vehicles moving. Keep the economy moving. Keep society moving.
Thank you.
