Has anyone else noticed the increase in handicap license plates/placards in the last 15-20 years?

As a society, we are living longer. Longer life leads to more time to encounter a disabling condition. Not to say sr citizens are disabled, but many have health conditions in older age they didn't have while younger. Years ago, this population would've died at our middle age.

Illnesses that might've been fatal are being treated. Ppl have survived illnesses, births that have left them w/disabilities they didn't have treatments for years ago.

Due to medical advances ppl are surviving major car crashes, war injuries, & natural disasters that they wouldn't have lived thru yrs ago.

Disabilities are out of the closet now. It's not a cause to be ashamed or to stay at home (as was done w/some conditions in the past).

Access to more places w/the ADA has more ppl going out.

We have more ppl on the planet. Strictly statistically speaking, the more ppl u have, the more disabilities you'll have.

Scientists & doctors have discovered that certain activities are contraindicated for certain conditions. The idea is to make life as comfortable as possible while not making the condition worse for yourself. Some basic physical activities of everyday life are difficult for handicapped ppl w/out the added probs of straining to walk from the far end of the parking lot.

Yes, there are ppl who misuse the placards or use the spaces w/out the placards entirely. Most ppl use the cards responsibly, however.

There is also more awareness of the spaces themselves & the placards by the general population. That's a positive & a negative.

Due to ADA requirements, stores are required to place a specific # of spaces. Back in the 80s, spaces weren't calculated on a specific system. The regulations are different now.

20 yrs ago most ppl considered handicapped as being in a wheelchair or on crutches. We now know there are many more disabilities both visible & invisible.

Whew, I think I covered them all... :D

I know this is an old question but it's still a current topic. I've noticed WAY more handicapped placards nowadays then I've seen in my entire life! The worst part is that I've never really seen a person using one that was actually handicapped! Mental disabilities should not allow one to use disabled parking! That's ridiculous. Unless you have physical mobility issues you are doing a disservice to those of us who actually need those parking spots and you should feel super guilty if you do this! Your parking space will be reserved..IN HELL.

I have a handicap plate since 1991. I have noticed that there are more handicap spot at places these days. At my work place, I asked if they can put more handicap parking spots. Well they put three more spots. They had a big expansion added on to the building. Most of the employees are suppose to park on the south side.. Now there are eight spots.

You know that even if we did not see the disabled license plates or people is because we were in our own world and trying to be like others. More clearly, we did not really care about people with disabilities because we were not disabled or having to use a cane or a wheel chair. Now that the same and even more people such as ourselves are in need of assistive devices now more than anything. Many years ago in the 80's I joined the US Army and felt so much pride with myself I wanted to die in combat saving others from gun fire or explosives. Now I sit day to day in severe pain having to take morphine on a daily basis still in pain after the morphine . I feel cheated as you know what and invite my death as long as it is swift. I am not suicidal, but I still wait for my death.

I think it probably has more to do with the fact that people with disabilities go out more now as opposed to being kind of isolated at home or in institutions like they used to. Nowadays more and more people with disabilities drive or are very active and don't let their disabilities get in the way of living life.

Of course certain health conditions are on the rise too and with improved health care more conditions can be treated, so people live longer and stay active longer, although they may need some accommodations like disabled parking.

I think it has to do with more disabled people driving. The population is aging so there are more older people with health concerns. Also there is growing awareness for people with disabilities. People with disabilities are encouraged to be more active so we see more cars with placards.

We have had countless disabled soldiers return from war - most of them are using placards. We are in the throes of the baby boomer generation. We have better and better medical science which means more people survive catastrophic injuries and illnesses. And yes, as someone has mentioned we have become a nation of obese people many of whom have dire medications also. So truly is it any wonder that there are more?

Yes, my Mom has one for asthma. Hopefully in a few years, I can get one for disability....I'm addicted to Yahoo Answers.

I used to work at my states local Bureau of motor vehicles. We sold those there to people whom had a doctors excuse and stuff. I can honestly say that i saw more over weight people get them, then an actual person that was crippled in any way! Since the national obesity level has gone WAY up i guess this is why more people have them.

Yes, it's because being overweight is now considered a handicap.

The people who need to walk to most, want to park the closest.