So, I was traveling home from work on Thursday.  It was a typical day, except traffic was a slight bit heavier due to the upcoming holiday weekend.  A motorcyclist comes out of nowhere, speeding like he was headed to a fire, and cuts right in front of me!  A few seconds later, his buddy joined him in the same manner.  They both were weaving in and out of traffic, laughing, honking their horns, “playing” around, etc.  I even think they could talk with each other through some type of headset.

Rush hour hits.  Cars are backed up for miles.  We are at a dead stop.  As luck would have it, the motorcycles ended up in front of me.  Then, I noticed something odd about one of the motorcycles…a handicapped license plate.  WHAT?  This was definitely a first for me.  How handicapped can you be and still ride a motorcycle, especially the way he was driving!?!?!?  Well, this got the best of me.  I had to find out.  I did some research the moment I arrived home…see below:

In order to be considered for a handicapped sticker or license plate in NC, you must be certified by a licensed healthcare personnel to have impaired mobility or a condition which substantially interferes with mobility.  You can also be considered a handicapped driver if you:

• Cannot walk 200 feet without stopping or if you need the support of a brace, cane, crutch, wheelchair or another person.
• Have restricted walking due to arthritis, neurological or orthopedic conditions.
• Suffer from lung disease or use portable oxygen.
• Have a cardiac condition classified by the American Heart Association as Class III or Class IV (Class III-Patients are comfortable at rest, less than ordinary activity caused fatigue, palpitation, dyspnea or anginal pain.  Class IV-inability to carry on any physical activity without discomfort.  Heart failure may be present at rest.)
• Vision problems and/or is legally blind.

Motorcycle enthusiast do not have to meet any additional requirements.

HMMM…it appears TO ME, even based on the above information, someone who is handicapped should not be allowed to ride a motorcycle.  Do you know how much a motorcycle weighs?  Some weigh over 700 pounds!

If you can ride a motorcycle safely (for you and those around you) should you even need a handicapped license plate?  If you can hold up a 700 lb machine, weave in an out of traffic like a maniac, drive 20 mph over the speed limit in rush hour traffic on a holiday weekend, can’t you park your motorcycle in regular spaces like the rest of us?  Let’s reserve the handicapped spaces for those who really need them-you know, like the handicapped!

Ugghh…sorry for the rant.   Sometimes I just get fixated on something and can’t let it go…