Published: April 02, 2009 11:01 am      

Driver ticketed for blocking van's side wheelchair lift

Ada — When Kristin Rohling came out of Wal-Mart Tuesday, she found a big surprise waiting for her in the parking lot.

A large vehicle was parked illegally next to her van. It may not sound like a problem at first, but Rohling is confined to a wheelchair and must use a side-mounted lift to get into her van. The vehicle parked next to her van prevented access to the side-mounted lift.

Rohling, from Prague, attends East Central University and was in a hurry to get to class.

She notified authorities and Ada Police Officer Brian Engle issued a citation to Geraldine Romines, 73, Tupelo, for improper parking.

Romines signed the ticket and moved the vehicle. Rohling said it happens everywhere she goes.

“I think I must have a sign on my door that says please park next to me,” Rohling said.

She said it is hard enough to get into her vehicle without that sort of aggravation day after day.

“I was glad she was cited because hopefully this will make people more aware that there is a consequence,” Rohling said. “They’re breaking the law.”

Rohling’s van was parked in the closest space to the south entrance doors. The space has a sign that reads “Van accessible.”

Van accessible spaces have an access aisle that is at least eight-feet wide —marked with stripes on the pavement indicating parking is not allowed — so side-mounted lifts can operate without interference.

Ada Wal-Mart Store Manager Bruce Cowart said this sort of thing happens all the time and is a real problem.

He said the store has tried many different tactics to keep people from parking where they’re not supposed to.

“We placed large cement planters in the marked zones, but people kept running into them,” Cowart said.

The planters would block cars but still allow wheel-chair lifts to be used.

Another problem the handicapped face is when able-bodied caretakers of handicapped persons use parking tags themselves to get a good spot.

Rohling said these spots also should only be used by disabled persons when they themselves are going into a business.

“Sometimes handicapped people will sit in their car and send their child in just so they can have a close parking spot,” Rohling said.

When she goes to the store and just her daughter is going inside, Rohling said she will park in a regular spot so as to leave handicapped parking spaces open for those who need it.

The fine for improper parking in the city of Ada is $20. The fine for parking in a handicapped parking space is $244.