Disabled parking in mother & child space

[CommanderShepherd]

disabilitynow.org.uk/2010/03/04/not-all-childs-play/

Firstly I want to say that I have never parked in a disabled space. having recently become a mother, the parent & child spaces are freaking awesome! I have a doona car seat which is also a pram, which means I have to lift ds and car seat in and out when we use it. Not too much hassle but I need room to get him in and out. I was curious if I could park in disabled space if parent and child was full (I honestly wasn't sure if it was illegal or just bad car etiquette) and came across this article. As per the article, do you think it's hypocritical that disabled can park in a parent and child space? Someone was actually finned by a supermarket for doing so.

I'm not sure where I stand on this issue, obviously I would never rob someone who has a hard time walking etc a space closer to the store, although it would bug me if there was disabled spaces free and they chose to use a p&c space.

Anyhoo, he's a pic of my ds being cute to distract the folk that will call me an evil cow for even thinking about it

[EmmaGellerGreen]

Oh dear. Assume you're new here then?

[Lifeisbeautiful2]

I can't believe anyone would even consider if the two are comparable.

[Fooshufflewickbannanapants]

This will NOT go well.

[PaulAnkaTheDog]

I was curious if I could park in disabled space if parent and child was full (I honestly wasn't sure if it was illegal or just bad car etiquette)

I can't get past this tbh. So entitled! And I say that as someone who hates the use of 'entitled' on mumsnet. You actually went out your way to find out of you could use a disabled parking spot to get your baby out the car... Just wow.

[CommanderShepherd]

If I haven't make myself clear, I wouldn't do it, I was curious if it was illegal

[lilygirl81]

I have a blue badge but have never parked in a parent & child space. However, at my local mothercare there are around 8 P&C spaces and not a single disabled one, so I have considered it there. In general, I know how angry I get when I can't get into a disabled space because of non blue badge holders, so I extend the same courtesy to other designated spaces, even if it means I can't go shopping.

[EmmaGellerGreen]

Doesn't really matter if it's illegal or not, it is totally immoral and unacceptable to decent people.

[exLtEveDallas]

No it's not hypocritical. A parent and child space is wider so that parents can get babies in car seats out of the car easier. This can also be achieved by a parent parking further away from the store where there are likely to be more spaces.

A person with disabilities, especially mobility issues does not have this option.

Furthermore being a parent and having a child is generally a choice. Being disabled is not.

A P&C space is a 'nice to have' not a right.
A disabled space is law.

A disabled person parking in a P&C place = not a problem, anything to make their lives easier.
A parent parking in a disabled space = illegal and liable to prosecution.

[my2bundles]

Now try t compare my severely disabled 18 year olds life long care plan to your newborn. I carnt believe you even need to ask this question.

[WoodleyPixie]

Not comparable in the slightest. I would not have an issue with a blue badge holder parking in parent and child courtesy space.

If you just need more room to get in and out of the car with the car seat, and p&c courtesy spaces are full, then park at the back of the car park and walk down to the store.

My dc are older now, but even 5 years ago there were far less p&c courtesy spaces and so I would park at the back of the store and put dc in the trolley or in the buggy and walk to the store. Yes it was sometimes a pain, but we could walk it. Someone requiring a blue badge is unlikely to be able to walk that far without causing them an issue.

[WellErrr]

This will not go well.

It is fine for disabled people to park in P&C places if there are no disabled ones left.

I do believe this is all that is needed to be said. HTH.

[WellErrr]

Sorry - not quite the last word -

It is absolutely NOT acceptable for you to park in a disabled place if you are not disabled.

Having a healthy child is not a disability.

[AdrenalineFudge]

This is such a non issue in RL but seems to be a popular MNet past time.

[Lamu]

Op, get ready for a flaming.

[CommanderShepherd]

dallas it was actually that point that made me think of it. I was in a car park and parked furthest away from the store for easy access to the car door and someone parked right next to me, out of the whole car park and the multiple empty spaces around me

[betsyderek]

I have had a similar experience with my sister when I was in the UK. She has a 2 year old and really shouted at someone with a blue badge parking in the parent spaces. All the blue badge ones were full. I was mortified. Why is she suddenly disabled because she has a kid? In Qatar, parking in a disabled space is a criminal offence and the police make you feel like you have kicked a dog or something. I inadvertently parked in a space that had a sign put up while I was in it so wasn't one when I parked in it. 3 points and £500 fine and the officer told me I was despicable. They let me off the fine when I took in the sign guy but still lectured me about it.

[VinceNoirLovesHowardMoon]

Wow
Disabled people can in law park where they need to, and stores make adjustments for their needs by providing dedicated parking.
People with babies can park further away from the entrance if they need more space. P&c spaces are a marketing ploy. Disabled spaces are the difference between people getting out and being independent or being stuck in their houses.

[Zucker]

Have a serious think about the idea that now that you have a baby you may suddenly be entitled to use a disabled space.
Really think about it as I fear you may be in brand new baby fog.

[EverySongbirdSays]

illegal - well - you wouldn't be taken to court

But you don't have a blue badge so you could expect a large fine, possibly be clamped and of course would be taken to court if you fail to pay, by contrast
P and C don't require a badge, nor wonder any such badge scheme be remotely feasible.

I can't walk without assistance. I would have absolutely no problem taking your PFB's P and C spot if the Blue Badge bays were full.

I don't care if I get flamed for it. You are perfectly able to walk and push/carry him.

P and C is an assist not a necessity

[x2boys]

As others have said parent and child parking spaces are a courtesy and disabled parking spaces have to be provided by law also they have very strict rules on who they hand them out toI fan get one for my s9n who is severely autistic with learning disabilities and no awareness of danger as his mobility is fine and he only receives low rate mobility DLA so no you can't compare the two.

[EverySongbirdSays]

nor would not no wonder

[betsyderek]

Parent spaces are a ploy. I used to know a guy who worked for the PR that introduced it to the UK and they joked that they had got the mummies vote for the price of a can of paint.

[GraysAnalogy]

No it's not bloody hypocritical. Parent and Child spaces are a nice luxury to have, Disabled spaces are so disabled people can actually exit their cars and get to the shop.

Yeah it's a bit difficult getting out of a normal space with a pram sometimes but that's something we accept y'know, when we decide to have children.

[DecaffCoffeeAndRollupsPlease]

Blue badge can park pretty much anywhere that isn't a hazard, parent and child spaces are a courtesy for convenience of parents to use if available - two totally different situations.