[VE][63] Error Message Feedback

Hi!

I recently attempted to validate a transitional xhtml 1.0 document.
Everything validates and works fine except for my image map. I have the
following code:

<map id ="images" name="images">
    <area shape="rect" coords="0, 152, 330, 270" href="" target="_blank" alt="" />
</map>

.... which will not validate. The Validator says "character data is not allowed here."
It will validate just fine if I remove the closing "/" from the area element, but that would
leave it open.

Looks like a bug to me, unless there's something I'm not aware of. If you would like
more information or even a link to a similar document, by all means let me know.

Thanks!

-Matt