Parking while pregnant? Boston could let expectant mothers use handicap spots
BOSTON - New and expecting mothers could soon have an easier time finding parking in Boston. A new proposal at City Hall would allow them to use disabled parking spots.
"I think it would make a lot of sense," Maggie Fiore told WBZ-TV as she strolled the South End with her newborn. "It would be great if you didn't have to circle the block when you're that big and uncomfortable."
Boston City Councilor John FitzGerald said he got the idea from his wife - when she was pregnant with their three children.
"You can have high blood pressure, swollen ankles, difficulty walking, pelvic pain," the District 3 Councilor explained. "She felt she should have the right to park in a handicap spot and I thought to myself, 'yeah you're right!'"
His plan would allow pregnant women to use handicap parking spots beginning in the third trimester up until six months after birth.
Demetrius Brand has a placard because he relies on a wheelchair to get around. "I'm against it! Just because there's not enough disabled parking already," he told WBZ-TV reporter Tiffany Chan.
Some mothers argue pregnancy can be debilitating towards the later months and more parking options can help ease that burden.
"You're so enormous and uncomfortable, so it's difficult to walk a long distance," Fiore said.
But that's not sitting well with some disabled people like Brand.
"I'm in a wheelchair, I can't walk at all," Brand explained. "What about my perspective, you know? What if I need the parking and you're still able-bodied when you're pregnant, but what if you take my spot and I really need it?"
Councilor FitzGerald said not every pregnant person needs a disability placard, but he simply wants it to be an option.
Next, the proposal will go up for a public hearing to determine whether this is a good idea and how the city and RMV would implement it.
Why pregnant people may need handicap parking access
Fitzgerald's hearing order says back pain or swollen feet during pregnancy can make walking difficult, and other medical conditions associated with pregnancy like gestational diabetes or high blood pressure "may require closer parking to minimize physical exertion."
It also says closer parking could help prevent falls, and being able to park in a handicap space may be critical for a pregnant person having a medical emergency.
Pregnant parking policies
The proposal cites laws for parking while pregnant in Texas and in Illinois, where those in the third trimester can use a disability placard for 90 days. In Minnesota, lawmakers put forth a similar proposal last summer.
Fitzgerald also noted that stores like Target and Buy Buy Baby often have parking spots for parents with small kids and those who are expecting.
Right now, the proposal does not suggest adding more handicap parking spaces in the city.