General Discussion

MurrayDelph

(5,706 posts)

120. The term "diamond lanes"

Mon Jan 15, 2018, 02:30 AM

Jan 2018

was coined in 1976, during Jerry Brown's first pass as governor, by his Secretary of Transportation (CalTrans) Adriana Gianturco. The plan was, in their words, "to force people to give up their love of the automobile" by making driving individual cars as unpleasant as possible. To that end, they declared the fast lanes of the Santa Monica Freeway, back then the busiest freeway in Los Angeles, to be Carpool-only lanes during commuting hours. This was done by edict, taking away 25% of available lanes, with no environmental impact study, no safety buffer, no designated merge areas, and no viable public transportation alternatives. When they lost the lawsuit and had to reopen the lanes, the Highway Conditions signs had a message from Adriana (with a smiley face) trying to take credit for the improved commute.

After the Northridge Quake, when the roads were rebuilt, they specifically built carpool lanes into the design of the rebuilt 118. To warn people of this new change, they purposely manufactured metal highway signs that said (and I quote) "CARPOOL LANE AHAED." The 118 was later officially renamed The Ronald Reagan Freeway (which makes the misspelling somehow appropriate), because it is the highest to Reagan's Library. Locals still call it the 118.

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Some asshole with no handicap sticker parked in the last available disabled parking spot!!! [View all] CTyankee Jan 2018 OP

Park right behind them and hang your placard Roland99 Jan 2018 #1

I couldn't. I would be blocking traffic in the parking lot. CTyankee Jan 2018 #2

Good idea Victor_c3 Jan 2018 #54

When i would drive my mother to store jO456 Jan 2018 #61

That's the biggest abuse aside from diamond lanes demosincebirth Jan 2018 #3

What are diamond lanes? marybourg Jan 2018 #106

California they are diamond lanes. Other states might call them HOV lane...or expres lanes. demosincebirth Jan 2018 #117

OK, thanx. marybourg Jan 2018 #118

The term "diamond lanes" MurrayDelph Jan 2018 #120

On the flip side, you have no idea if they have one FreeState Jan 2018 #4

It's a state law. You have to have the sticker or you can't park there. CTyankee Jan 2018 #6

CA allows you three non-paid fines a year (if you prove you have a card)n/t FreeState Jan 2018 #92

We keep ours in the car. In my state, if it is not displayed, the ticket is valid. appleannie1943 Jan 2018 #13

I slide my sticker in the side pocket of the driver's door. There's no reason to take it out of the CTyankee Jan 2018 #14

Being driven somewhere in someone elses car Mr.Bill Jan 2018 #18

I mentioned that to my daughter when we were in her supermarket parking lot. She did not CTyankee Jan 2018 #20

Nothing wrong with that, I suppose. Mr.Bill Jan 2018 #32

And, you are standing there waiting for her and I can't stand for too long.... CTyankee Jan 2018 #37

My wife is dangerous in one of those motorized carts. Mr.Bill Jan 2018 #40

they scare me too. Also, they're awkward... CTyankee Jan 2018 #43

Most stores aren't exactly laid out well for them. Mr.Bill Jan 2018 #47

We have some grossly obese people using those carts. I don't think they are physically able to CTyankee Jan 2018 #49

Or work, rental cars etc n/t FreeState Jan 2018 #93

Not everyone has good healthcare access in this country. Just saying. Doodley Jan 2018 #5

I agree with you but this is not the issue. It's the law in the state. CTyankee Jan 2018 #7

It's not complicated. Don't park in a handicap space Drahthaardogs Jan 2018 #11

So, tough luck if you don't have access to doctors? Doodley Jan 2018 #16

Yeah, tough luck. Drahthaardogs Jan 2018 #55

Meaning? Doodley Jan 2018 #60

Meaning I don't buy you story that you are too remote Drahthaardogs Jan 2018 #64

I am not talking about myself. Why would you think I am? I was making the point that those who have Doodley Jan 2018 #74

I don't agree. This can be done with a simple office visit Drahthaardogs Jan 2018 #80

You could always call on them, they would get huge fine. Nt marlakay Jan 2018 #8

I would have reported it to the store and let them handle it. CTyankee Jan 2018 #9

You would have, but you didn't? nt. Mariana Jan 2018 #36

It would have been extra time on my feet and not feeling well with my bronchitis and my CTyankee Jan 2018 #41

I had a cop one time tell me he did not believe in that handicapped s**t appleannie1943 Jan 2018 #10

Los Angeles has a history of hassling people who use Handicapped placards. MurrayDelph Jan 2018 #27

I used to know someone with a very bad heart that got questioned all the time. appleannie1943 Jan 2018 #46

I was in a wheelchair when I was 27 and got crap because I was 'too young' to be parking there. nini Jan 2018 #56

Get well soon malaise Jan 2018 #12

I try really hard not to judge Rorey Jan 2018 #15

People who suffer from an activity-limiting condition marybourg Jan 2018 #107

I sure didn't say they weren't. Rorey Jan 2018 #122

I once talked a female cop out of ticketing an out of state vehicle in the French Quarter of rzemanfl Jan 2018 #17

Maybe she was forced to do so by state law, but then saw the disabled vet plates after you CTyankee Jan 2018 #19

I think she didn't understand that some states just had DV on the plates. It was the hand rzemanfl Jan 2018 #24

Just park in front of them, blocking them in, with your sticker displayed. Take your keys. Bernardo de La Paz Jan 2018 #21

Handicapped parking ?? bleedinglib Jan 2018 #22

I guess you can't regulate that kind of insensitivity. CTyankee Jan 2018 #25

Yes. It's illegal to obstruct someone's windshield. marybourg Jan 2018 #71

To be fair, some disabilities are not visible. LuckyCharms Jan 2018 #86

Flag down a cop. Townships in NJ get $296 for ticket and court costs-It's an easy cash cow for them! TheBlackAdder Jan 2018 #23

Oddly, cops are never in that particular parking lot. Don't know why. CTyankee Jan 2018 #28

Call the township, as a citizen, report the chronic abuses. After a few calls, they'll stake it out. TheBlackAdder Jan 2018 #34

Cops in my town will respond Mr.Bill Jan 2018 #35

It's safe easy money, and there is no option other than pleading guilty when you get to court. TheBlackAdder Jan 2018 #39

Poor you, CTYankee, just by the way. Hortensis Jan 2018 #26

I had my tea earlier. Now it's a glass of white wine. Everything soothes... CTyankee Jan 2018 #30

I saw a guy at my gym murielm99 Jan 2018 #29

Oh, jeez. If your trainer knows, the guy prolly bragged about it. CTyankee Jan 2018 #33

My wife has a handicap placard/plates and she goes to the gym. Mr.Bill Jan 2018 #38

These people are as big of assholes as Trump. I've taken down lic # and placard #'s and gone online vkkv Jan 2018 #58

Wait a minute... LuckyCharms Jan 2018 #87

Not "legally", I'm saying if you can walk, why not save the spots for people who are FAR worse off? vkkv Jan 2018 #94

Being able to walk does not mean that you are not entitled to a handicapped space. LuckyCharms Jan 2018 #97

A) By watching people get out of cars parked at a Carmel Beach DP space and take along walk along vkkv Jan 2018 #98

No you need to get this... LuckyCharms Jan 2018 #99

So, anyone with a placard can park in a DP space and then take a long walk along the ocean for a vkkv Jan 2018 #100

Nevermind. LuckyCharms Jan 2018 #101

what does cancer look like? TenHouseCats Jan 2018 #104

That's just friggin' evil. vkkv Jan 2018 #111

If I have a plate or placard and you don't TenHouseCats Jan 2018 #139

'over the head.. vkkv Jan 2018 #141

You didn't answer my question: vkkv Jan 2018 #102

Good luck. See ya. LuckyCharms Jan 2018 #103

What does weakness look like? vkkv Jan 2018 #109

fear and blindness are also disabilities... vkkv Jan 2018 #112

Fear and blindness are also disabilities... vkkv Jan 2018 #140

If you did that to me, I'd gladly sue you. Kaleva Jan 2018 #127

Every cross-section of society has a-holes. DP placards are being used and abused by vkkv Jan 2018 #138

This is much different then what you said in your previous post Kaleva Jan 2018 #165

""For sure there are people who abuse the system and they ought to be confronted"" vkkv Jan 2018 #166

You are bouncing all over the place Kaleva Jan 2018 #167

Probably, I'm a bit of a law & order liberal. Too many laws and too many are not enforced. vkkv Jan 2018 #168

I have a neurological issue that screws up my balance. You wanna tell me I'm not "worthy"? davsand Jan 2018 #156

That is extremely unfortunate. I am NOT complaining about valid placards! I'm referring to people in vkkv Jan 2018 #160

Except for the cost to do so, I wish they'd put a picture of the owner on the placard. WillowTree Jan 2018 #119

You should be president roscoeroscoe Jan 2018 #121

That might be going a little far..........LOL! But really, my pet peeve in this area is....... WillowTree Jan 2018 #163

YES !!! vkkv Jan 2018 #143

What ticks me off MurrayDelph Jan 2018 #31

I wish there was a fine Mr.Bill Jan 2018 #42

Our handicap spaces have extra space to accommodate the carts and that's great. CTyankee Jan 2018 #45

Another pet peeve. They should have cart returns next to the handicap spots. appleannie1943 Jan 2018 #50

Donut shops.. cops.. vkkv Jan 2018 #113

How do you know that person wasn't there to pick up a disabled relative? pnwmom Jan 2018 #44

No, as I said I was sick and shouldn't have been out there in the first place. CTyankee Jan 2018 #48

I used to go pick up my mother in law from appointments, when someone else might have dropped pnwmom Jan 2018 #51

that's different. You were a caregiver for the handicapped person. Anyone questioning why you CTyankee Jan 2018 #53

I bet there was a MAGA sticker on the bumper. n/t humbled_opinion Jan 2018 #52

I will preface this by saying I never parked in a handicapped spot before I got a OldHippieChick Jan 2018 #57

My state, Ohio, has a printable form online, saving time & energy. No Vested Interest Jan 2018 #73

I live in a backwards State The online printing option is not available and OldHippieChick Jan 2018 #79

NC is a beautiful and not always backwards state. Now, if only NC could No Vested Interest Jan 2018 #81

NC does not make it difficult to get a placard. cwydro Jan 2018 #116

I could not mail in the form w/out the doctor's signature, so not OldHippieChick Jan 2018 #125

Took the signed form to the DMV. cwydro Jan 2018 #132

How nice this was not a problem for an able-bodied OldHippieChick Jan 2018 #147

Simply pointing out that NC being cwydro Jan 2018 #148

Your anecdotal experience demonstrating OldHippieChick Jan 2018 #149

You have a good point re modernizing the handicapped placard system. No Vested Interest Jan 2018 #154

Thats a good idea; I agree. cwydro Jan 2018 #158

So sorry about your mother and OldHippieChick Jan 2018 #161

PM me if you need a ride somewhere or any further DMV nonsense. cwydro Jan 2018 #162

Not my experience. My doc signed the form. I mailed it in. Got my sticker in the mail. Easy... CTyankee Jan 2018 #75

DO YOU USE A WHEELCHAIR ?? vkkv Jan 2018 #59

In Oregon, only some of the Handicapped spots MurrayDelph Jan 2018 #65

no, thank god. I have arthritis in my lower back and I am 78 years old. CTyankee Jan 2018 #82

No, what you are saying is wrong. LeftyMom Jan 2018 #85

No, the spots are for people who are classified as disabled LuckyCharms Jan 2018 #89

Shouldnt people with wheelchairs park FARTHER away? Nevernose Jan 2018 #95

No, seriously?!?! I think that DP spots are wider to accommodate a wheelchair lift.. vkkv Jan 2018 #96

Actually, they HAVE temporary placards MurrayDelph Jan 2018 #114

My moms in a wheelchair Nevernose Jan 2018 #144

No lawmaker is going to write a law to move wheelchair access spaces FURTHER from a business vkkv Jan 2018 #145

Renewing a handicapped placard every six months is untenable, for obvious reasons. No Vested Interest Jan 2018 #155

NO TenHouseCats Jan 2018 #108

I dont! Nevernose Jan 2018 #142

And then the parking lot fills up and the guy Ilsa Jan 2018 #130

Thats why I said bigger spots Nevernose Jan 2018 #136

no, they are NOT only for people who use wheelchairs. TenHouseCats Jan 2018 #110

Sorry that happened to you CTyankee. People like that are so selfish and inconsiderate! smirkymonkey Jan 2018 #62

I have been treating myself to a jigger of bourbon in a cup of hot water, No Vested Interest Jan 2018 #77

I have a placard..... usedtobedemgurl Jan 2018 #63

My Nissan Versa doesn't heat up until I drive it. So, no help there... CTyankee Jan 2018 #78

Just saying . . . Sam McGee Jan 2018 #66

Too bad you don't live in Houston OnlinePoker Jan 2018 #67

in lansing, MI, TenHouseCats Jan 2018 #105

I am so thankful I do not need one... yet! Fritz Walter Jan 2018 #68

What kind of vehicle does Trump drive? raccoon Jan 2018 #69

I'd say a honeywagon, but that can't be right OnlinePoker Jan 2018 #70

According to reports MurrayDelph Jan 2018 #115

First world problems. egduj Jan 2018 #72

In a nation where some still have third-world healthcare. Doodley Jan 2018 #76

well thank you. May I just suggest that your remark does nothing to help 3rd world problems. CTyankee Jan 2018 #83

Really? LuckyCharms Jan 2018 #84

wow, I worship you as a person of exceptional moral character and compassion steve2470 Jan 2018 #123

Is gross insensitivity to those with disabilities a first world problem? Because you seem to Squinch Jan 2018 #124

I worked swing shift for years and would stop at the supermarket after 1am. spiderpig Jan 2018 #88

during the last few weeks I had a temporary handicap permit csziggy Jan 2018 #90

My husband will immediately complain to the store manager ismnotwasm Jan 2018 #91

I have called police on said parking violators liberal N proud Jan 2018 #126

Always carry extra potatoes (n/t) FreepFryer Jan 2018 #128

Um, I don't understand your post...am I missing something here? CTyankee Jan 2018 #129

Maybe. Give it some thought, but not too much - its a lovely day outside (n/t) FreepFryer Jan 2018 #131

Just a little humor I believe... LuckyCharms Jan 2018 #151

What is a potato? n/t LuckyCharms Jan 2018 #150

A tuberous food crop indigenous to the Andes. JustABozoOnThisBus Jan 2018 #153

If it happens frequently there, Ilsa Jan 2018 #133

It's kinda hard to find a pollice cruiser nearby when you need it. CTyankee Jan 2018 #134

That's what I'm hoping for: deterence. No reason for them Ilsa Jan 2018 #164

I have MS Sampan Jan 2018 #135

Fuck Trump. NCTraveler Jan 2018 #137

I agree. KitSileya Jan 2018 #146

Big fine for those who are breaking the law. Just sayin. You could notify the police. YOHABLO Jan 2018 #152

I've seen people do that Blue_Adept Jan 2018 #159

I remember seeing a great cartoon years ago: Ken Burch Jan 2018 #157

I'm really sorry that happened to you steve2470 Jan 2018 #169

thanks, steve, it is a real problem with us older folks... CTyankee Jan 2018 #170