As I was browsing the latest edition of The Bridge Weekly, I noted a letter to the editor from Mr. Gary Moore regarding unauthorized use of handicapped parking spaces. I was thinking about that as I sat in the Shaw’s parking lot in Woodsville and watched a large pickup truck whip into an accessible parking spot at a high rate of speed.

At an equally high rate of speed, a large strapping young man who looked to be in the age range of 25 to 30 hopped out of the truck and made a bee line for the front door to Shaw’s. I saw no placard or license indicating a handicap parking privilege.

A fairly short time later the same individual came briskly out of Shaw’s carrying what looked to be two cases of beer or some type of beverage in cans and easily deposited them in the back of the truck, jumped in the truck and roared off.

Having worked at the state independent living center for 16 years with individuals with various disabilities, I am quite adept at spotting them. The aforementioned individual seemed to be quite healthy and disability free. That kind of behavior is a pet peeve of mine.

When I lived in Concord, New Hampshire there was a process where you could take photographs of the violation and send it to Concord PD who could review it and issue a citation, if warranted. I thought I would refresh myself on the process so I did a little research and this is what I came up with.

This and much more information can be found at dmv.nh.gov

"Reporting Abuse of a disability parking space: Parking spaces that are designated for handicapped parking may only be occupied by a vehicle driven by, or a vehicle transporting, a person with a walking disability who has been issued a walking disability placard or set of plates. Unauthorized use of a handicap space should be reported to the local police department in the town or city where the violation occurs. If you are a person with a walking disability and submit clear photographic evidence to the police that someone without a disability parking plate or placard or a disabled veteran's plate, parks in a handicapped parking space or blocks an access aisle, this evidence is sufficient under RSA 265:69 to prove a violation in court.".


"Section 265:69-a
265:69-a Enforcement of Parking Prohibition in Parking Spaces and Access Aisles Designated for Persons With a Walking Disability. –
I. Testimony under oath with clear photographic evidence from a person with a walking disability pursuant to RSA 261:86 or RSA 261:88 or the driver of a vehicle transporting such a person that a vehicle that does not display a special plate or placard issued or recognized pursuant to RSA 261:86 or RSA 261:88 was parked in a designated parking space for persons with a walking disability or any vehicle parked in or overlapping into an access aisle shall be sufficient evidence to prove that the owner of the vehicle has violated RSA 265:69, I(j) or (m), unless such evidence is rebutted or contradicted.

[Paragraph II effective until January 1, 2026; see also paragraph II set out below.]

II. Upon receipt of testimony under paragraph I by the appropriate law enforcement agency, such agency shall fine the violator a minimum of $250 pursuant to RSA 265:69, I(j).

[Paragraph II effective January 1, 2026; see also paragraph II set out above.]

II. Upon receipt of testimony under paragraph I by the appropriate law enforcement agency, such agency shall fine the violator a minimum of $500 plus penalty assessment pursuant to RSA 265:69, I(j).
Source. 2003, 71:3, eff. Jan. 1, 2004. 2017, 68:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2018. 2025, 238:2, eff. Jan. 1, 2026."
A $500.00 fine is a lot of money just to save a few feet or seconds, do the right thing and leave those accessible parking spots open for people who really need them, your wallet and your conscience will thank you!
James Taber lives in Woodsville, NH.

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