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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to park in a disabled bay if temporarily incapacitated?

55 replies

Busybean · 05/03/2010 22:31

Say if you're on crutches with a condition that will last another 4-5 months and need the space to fully open the door to get your legs out.

this would only be if there were no p&t spaces available.

or would it be better to park in the middle of two normal spaces(if available)

disclaimer-genuine question, not trying to offend anyone or belittle anyone elses permanent disability.

OP posts:

OTTMummA · 05/03/2010 22:34

use the disabled parking space, i would, and did when i had spd and was on crutches, never had any problems.

saslou · 05/03/2010 22:35

park in the disabled bay as you are clearly (if temporarily) disabled. I would stay out of the P&T space unless I had children with me or all the disabled spaces were taken

2shoes · 05/03/2010 22:36

yanbu as long as you have a blue badge.

Original poster

Busybean · 05/03/2010 22:37

I would use the p&t spaces if available if I had the dc with me, but if theyre at home it would be acceptable to park in D bay you think?

OP posts:

Original poster

Busybean · 05/03/2010 22:37

cant get a blue badge

OP posts:

ScreaminEagle · 05/03/2010 22:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ImSoNotTelling · 05/03/2010 22:38

I don;t think you can unless you have a blue badge TBH.

If you;re talking about road parking then you will get nicked for parking in a disabled bay without a badge.

ImSoNotTelling · 05/03/2010 22:39

Do your shopping online?

2shoes · 05/03/2010 22:39

sorry if you don't have a blue badge you can't park there,
park inbetween 2 spaces.

ABetaDad · 05/03/2010 22:40

You are temporarily disabled and therefore should use the Disabled space - temporarily.

MrsC2010 · 05/03/2010 22:40

If you don't have a blue badge then no to the disabled bays. Park in the P&T spaces if necessary, contraversial I'm sure but hey! I'm sure you can get temp blue badges? Don't think we can be more precious about the use of the P&T spaces than the disabled ones to be honest.

BrahmsThirdRacket · 05/03/2010 22:41

well I don't think you ABU but you may be busted if you don't have the badge. Take a p&t place, they aren't legally restricted

ImSoNotTelling · 05/03/2010 22:42

ABD if it were left up to everybody to decide for themselves whether they had the right to use disabled spaces they would always, but always be full.

On the roads it's the law for disabled bays.

In supermarkets a bit more grey maybe? I understand as private property they can set their own rules and enforce themselves, but as they legally have to provide a certain amount of disabled spaces then isn't it possible that they legally have to enforce them as on the public roads. Dunno. Either way OP can't use them.

saslou · 05/03/2010 22:43

not sure with regard to the legalitiies, but from a moral point of view, you have need of a disabled space and shouldn't feel bad using one. Not having a blue badge does not make your need less real

TheFallenMadonna · 05/03/2010 22:44

You aren't allowed to park in them without the badge AFAIK.

If the same level of incapacity were permanent, would you be entitled to a badge? Thinking now of your moral position, rather than anything else.

Boys2mam · 05/03/2010 22:50

My DF had a double hip replacement (age 50) and still didn't qualify for a blue badge.

He couldn't walk any significant distance so avoided going out. He only needed these spots for the odd outing but its a disgrace that he was housebound at such a young age.

Housemum · 05/03/2010 23:01

Don't park in the middle of 2 spaces in a paid car park as you'd get a penalty fine.

2shoes - I see your point, they are for the disabled, but if it is a genuine medical need would you not hope that shops would be sympathetic? I presume things would be different in a paid car park - are those spaces regulated? Obviously you couldn't get out of paying for a ticket if you haven't a blue badge, but if the only other option is to hope no-one parks next to you or wait for the owner of the car next to you to return, what are you supposed to do?

(though I am now trying to think what condition would make you able to drive, but not able to get out of the car without more room).

OP - are you saying that you/whoever would be the driver? If you are being driven, then no - the driver should move the car out of the space for you to get in

ABetaDad · 05/03/2010 23:03

I assuming this is disabled bay in a supermarket. Not a blue badge space in the street because the OP said she needed the extra space between the cars in a Disabled bay.

Don't want to start a riot but I agree with OTTMummA/saslou. DW suffered very severe SPD and she could not get out of a car in a narrow parking bay. You CAN have a real need even if you have no blue badge.

Morally correct in my view.

Original poster

Busybean · 05/03/2010 23:07

it is spd and yes i would be the driver. im actually finding it quite painful at times to drive, but the docter wont currently increase my pain relief(im working on it) besides I cant drive for quite a while after taking it as it makes me high. am just trying to keep on driving for as long as possible.

OP posts:

ScreaminEagle · 05/03/2010 23:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

2shoes · 05/03/2010 23:15

ABetaDad I do agree and think the op should be able to.
but....
due the increased misuse of disabled bays a lot of shops now fine people who park without badges, also people report them.
perhaps the op should just ask at the supermarket, they must have ways round this

ImSoNotTelling · 05/03/2010 23:19

Can't you shop online OP?

NEmummy · 05/03/2010 23:24

I work in a BB office. They dept of transport have so many different rules to issue a blue badge. In my area have never issued a one for temp reasons - every borough differs - (even though in a lot of cases I would have liked to). The badge is only available to people who have a long term mobility problem. I have argued with my boss until I'm blue in the face that sometimes I think a 2-3 month pass should be available but can't see it ever happening. The vetting process is very strict now due to misuse of badges (people using there bed bound Grandfathers badge so that they can park for free etc). You will at some point probably get caught out and fined if you park in a disabled bay. Maybe ring up the supermarket that you usually frequent and see if there could be another way around this.

MrsC2010 · 06/03/2010 09:54

Morally correct but illegal. And leaves the system out for all sorts of abuise. Yes, the OP has a reasonable need, but then that turns into someone else who has a sore knee that day deciding they are temporarily incapacitated, and then someone with a spraioned ankle. When all the disabled spaces are full because of this where do the 'real' disabled people go? Who would be the arbitrator of this? I'm pretty sure you can getg temp blue badged (used to be able to in many councils) I'd look into that. Otherwise, steer clear of disabled bays. Supermarkets don't have to enfore them but many, many do and it wouldn't be worth the fine. In that instance 2 spaces would be the better option.

LittleMrsHappy · 06/03/2010 10:03

dont park between two spaces also, as you can get finned for inappropriate car parking, and not between the lines (check with the car park) most have parking attendants nowadays.

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