Temporary Handicap Parking permit when injured?

drmom · #1 08.02.2012, 14:00

Hi all,

I was just wondering if it is common/possible in Switzerland to get a temporary handicapped parking permit after an injury? Back in 2004 my husband got one in the US after he busted his Achilles. I have now done a number on my (left) knee, and was wondering if this is common practice here? It would also give me a few weeks reprieve of trying to fit my US sized minivan in Swiss parking spots

drmom · #2 22.02.2012, 12:57

Just an update in case anyone ever is in this situation. I called the Strassenverkehramt on a Friday morning. By Saturday, I had the paperwork in the mail that needing filling out. The following Monday I took it to the dr. for him to fill out his part. Today (10 days later) I got the permit in the mail. Anyhow, it is valid for 6 months, which is way too long, and I am not sure how much I will use it, but I did have a case where someone parked too close to me and I couldn't open the door wide enough to fit my non-bendable leg in!

Just FYI.

Sbrinz · #3 22.02.2012, 13:07

You need to be careful. Sometimes if you are driving when injured, you can be in serious trouble with the authorities, as you are not in complete control of the vehicle.

I suppose as the doctor signed your application, he must think you are able to drive OK, but other people might not be aware. An example would be driving with one eye injured or driving with a broken arm. You can still drive a car one handed, but the law says you must not, and the penalties are severe.

fatmanfilms · #4 22.02.2012, 13:32

	Quote:	Sbrinz
	You need to be careful. Sometimes if you are driving when injured, you can be in serious trouble with the authorities, as you are not in complete control of the vehicle. I suppose as the doctor signed your application, he must think you are able to drive OK, but other people might not be aware. An example would be driving with one eye injured or driving with a broken arm. You can still drive a car one handed, but the law says you must not, and the penalties are severe.

I knew someone with one arm who tried to hire a manuel at zh airport, the rental desk called the police to ask what to do, he got an automatic!
He drives a manuel in San Francisco !

Verbier · #5 22.02.2012, 13:49

	Quote:	Sbrinz
	You need to be careful. Sometimes if you are driving when injured, you can be in serious trouble with the authorities, as you are not in complete control of the vehicle. I suppose as the doctor signed your application, he must think you are able to drive OK, but other people might not be aware. An example would be driving with one eye injured or driving with a broken arm. You can still drive a car one handed, but the law says you must not, and the penalties are severe.

I agree. Be VERY careful with this as it is a double edged sword. If you have an accident, the Police will try to prove that you were not in control of the car (and they will win the case).

drmom · #6 22.02.2012, 13:51

	Quote:	Verbier
	I agree. Be VERY careful with this as it is a double edged sword. If you have an accident, the Police will try to prove that you were not in control of the car (and they will win the case).

Why is that? It is my left knee that is injured and I drive an automatic, I am not/have never been a 2 foot automatic driver, so the only real change to my status is that I need a bit more room to get in and out of the car...

Verbier · #7 22.02.2012, 14:13

It is the first time you mentioned that the van is automatic.

In that case, you should be ok. My point was in reference to a standard where you need to push on the clutch with the bad leg.

drmom · #8 22.02.2012, 15:34

	Quote:	Verbier
	It is the first time you mentioned that the van is automatic. In that case, you should be ok. My point was in reference to a standard where you need to push on the clutch with the bad leg.

Phew, I was worried! I thought I mentioned in the first post that it is a US minivan (where 99%+ are automatics) but I see that I just said US sized