Dear Transit Sam,
As a follow up to last week’s issue on handicap parking, I was in a shopping center recently where I saw a spot that was marked with a blue and white line. However, no signs were present to mark it as a handicap spot and the wheelchair icon that’s usually painted on the ground to indicate it was reserved for handicapped parking was no where to be found. I also saw a car without a state handicap permit parked in that spot. So my question is, is it legal for anyone without such a permit to park in that spot given the fact that there’s no sign or wheelchair icon?
Bill, Battery Park City
Dear Bill,
Yes it’s legal, based on Section 1203-c 2 (a) of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Laws, which states that “parking spaces designated for use by handicapped persons shall include conspicuous and permanently installed above grade signs which display the international symbol of access and which shall be positioned from the parking space surface at a height of not less than five feet nor more than seven feet and may include the use of blue painted lines or markings.” There’s always the chance that the sign’s gone missing, but there’s no way for you to know that. If one were to receive a ticket for such an offense, photos showing there was no sign and wheelchair icon to mark it as a handicap spot would be a strong defense.
Transit Sam
Dear Transit Sam,
Can you please explain what the difference is between a white colored E-Z Pass, an orange colored E-Z Pass and a blue colored E-Z Pass? I have a white E-Z Pass, and it seems every day I’m seeing more of the other varieties.
Jake, Park Row
Dear Jake,
The answer is very “easy” in this case. The white E-Z Pass is usually distributed to every day folks like you or me. The orange E-Z Pass that you may come across from time to time on other cars is used by employees who operate the area’s crossings from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (i.e. Holland Tunnel), to MTA Bridges and Tunnels (i.e. Brooklyn Battery Tunnel) and the New York State Thruway Authority. They’re also used by emergency vehicles. The blue colored E-Z Pass is issued to commercial vehicles since they pay a higher fee and are programmed differently.
Transit Sam
Do you need help navigating through Lower Manhattan or getting around by transit? Then e-mail me at TransitSam@downtownexpress.com or write to Transit Sam, c/o SSE, 611 Broadway, Suite 415, NY, NY, 10012.
