The obstacles that handicapped motorists face in parking situations could be eased by more courtesy and respect from those inclined to abuse the law. And when travel is interstate, it would help if handicapped drivers of all states received the same treatment as “instate” drivers. In some states an out-of-state handicapped driver cannot occupy parking spaces designated for the handicapped. This is not right. Rep. Thomas J . Downey, D-N.Y. has introduced in Congress a “handicapped drivers courtesy bill” to correct this situation. His measure would put into law a simple, reciprocal arrangement by the states to make the parking policy uniform. The handicapped of any state could use the designated in-state parking stalls. The idea is good but the proposed legislation has a feature that is unnecessarily stringent. It would require the Secretary of Transportation to reduce the apportionment of certain federal aid highway funds to non-complying states. We believe all states would accept the general intent of Downey’s bill for common courtesy to the handicapped. Also that given government guidelines, the states would work out the details without federal financial prodding. Most states already carry out the objectives of the proposed law. Certification of the handicap by the home state through license plate, auto parking sticker or wallet card should satisfy local officers. As for local abuses of parking in handicapped zones, the need for a crackdown is apparent when healthy citizens use the marked lanes set aside for genuinely handicapped persons. One patrolman told of watching as a healthyappearing man parked in a handicapped driver space, jumped out of the car, and returned a few minutes later, arms loaded with groceries. Another abuse, say officers, is borrowing the stickered car of a handicapped person for convenient parking. Such an act doesn’t say much for the quality of citizenship either of the borrower of the lender. Handicapped and disabled persons deserve respect and cooperation for their courage, determination and efforts under trying conditions. One small way to demonstrate that support is to observe the rules and not abuse their parking privileges. The general guidelines of Downey’s bill would be a step forward in interstate cooperation.