Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Parking in disabled spaces when disabled person sitting in car

497 replies

Mokel · 05/07/2024 14:42

If the blue badge holder isn’t going to leave the car, the car shouldn’t be parked in a disabled bay.

The purpose behind disabled bays is for disabled people don’t have to walk far to entrances to shops, doctors etc. If not leaving the car, there’s no need to park up there.

If a non disabled person is going to leave the car leaving the disabled person in the car, they should be parking in a normal parking space.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
MrsTerryPratchett · 05/07/2024 15:15

Are you coming back OP or just shit-plopping about disability?

Bignanna · 05/07/2024 15:14

K0OLA1D · 05/07/2024 15:11

I sometimes go back to the car and sit in it.

How would you know if you arrived after me?

I think people would assume you are the BB holder- why would the disabled person go out shopping leaving the able bodied person in the car?

MartinsSpareCalculator · 05/07/2024 15:14

Well yes, it specifically says this in the instructions that come with the blue badge. It isn't valid if the badge holder isn't leaving the car.

TheFairyCaravan · 05/07/2024 15:14

SabbatWheel · 05/07/2024 15:12

I genuinely have never seen every single disabled space taken in a supermarket car park, all the ones near me quite rightly have shedloads, so why make a fuss?

Good for you. But I have, regularly.

Aquamarine1029 · 05/07/2024 15:13

K0OLA1D · 05/07/2024 15:11

I sometimes go back to the car and sit in it.

How would you know if you arrived after me?

You couldn't possibly know, that's why one needs to mind their own business instead of accosting a disabled person.

Payattentioninclass · 05/07/2024 15:13

Mokel · 05/07/2024 14:42

If the blue badge holder isn’t going to leave the car, the car shouldn’t be parked in a disabled bay.

The purpose behind disabled bays is for disabled people don’t have to walk far to entrances to shops, doctors etc. If not leaving the car, there’s no need to park up there.

If a non disabled person is going to leave the car leaving the disabled person in the car, they should be parking in a normal parking space.

Indeed.
Are you as concerned about the general inaccesibility of shops, public transport, offices etc etc for disabled people because that's where injustice lies, not in a parking infringement.

SabbatWheel · 05/07/2024 15:12

I genuinely have never seen every single disabled space taken in a supermarket car park, all the ones near me quite rightly have shedloads, so why make a fuss?

K0OLA1D · 05/07/2024 15:11

I sometimes go back to the car and sit in it.

How would you know if you arrived after me?

Bignanna · 05/07/2024 15:11

Notcms · 05/07/2024 15:08

But people do it all the time 🙄 very annoying, go park in a regular space if you aren't leaving the car!

Show quote history

As someone said, the blue badge holder either hasn’t read the instructions on use , or doesn’t care about the risk of being fined!

Aquamarine1029 · 05/07/2024 15:11

CatMumSlave · 05/07/2024 15:09

Sorry for being thick. How do you know the driver / person leaving the car isn't the one with the badge?

You don't.

Arlanymor · 05/07/2024 15:09

Aquamarine1029 · 05/07/2024 14:46

If someone has a blue badge, they are entitled to park in a handicap space, end of, and it's nobody's business what they do from there. You have better things to concern yourself with surely.

This, obviously.

CatMumSlave · 05/07/2024 15:09

Sorry for being thick. How do you know the driver / person leaving the car isn't the one with the badge?

Notcms · 05/07/2024 15:08

Bignanna · 05/07/2024 14:50

It’s in the rules that the person holding the blue badge cannot sit in the car, parked in a disabled parking bay, while someone else does the shopping.
It’s a fineable offence.

Show quote history

But people do it all the time 🙄 very annoying, go park in a regular space if you aren't leaving the car!

TheFairyCaravan · 05/07/2024 15:06

It’s in the rules that unless you’re exiting the vehicle you’re not allowed to use the blue badge. The problem is too many people don’t read the book that comes with the badge.

SkippysEar · 05/07/2024 15:06

MulberryBushRoundabout · 05/07/2024 14:50

Yep, same as a parent and child space - if a child is not exiting the car, the space shouldn’t be used.

I wouldn’t challenge someone on it though - there could be multiple reasons why what you think you witness is not necessarily the full story.

Yes I agree about the parent and child ones. But it makes a change from just anyone parking in them.

Cherry8809 · 05/07/2024 15:04

Personally I’d mind my own business and not concern myself about other people parking somewhere they’re entitled to 😉

Snowyymum · 05/07/2024 15:02

I see your logic but would have to admit I have used blue badge and left disabled family member with good intention
For example - At petrol station after fuelling car (to take disabled person on appointment) I moved my car to disabled bay l, they then decided the didn’t walk into shop. I did not re park ,as I had to dash into shop as quick as possible/ minmise the time the disable person was unaccompanied. I could see car whilst in q - so when family member started to get distressed I was able to dash back and reassure them ( even before paying)

Bignanna · 05/07/2024 15:02

MrsTerryPratchett · 05/07/2024 14:58

Why are you worried OP?

I can think of lots of reasons that the person with disabilities might stay in the car for all or some of the trip and still need the space. Care needs, toilet, only managing a small part of the trip, refusal (I'm thinking of my friend's child who changes his mind at the last minute), and so on.

Why worry? It's far more likely someone does need it than doesn't. And even if they don't, who cares?

It’s a £1000 fine for breaking those rules, and no doubt a jobsworth or jealous neighbour could see them enforced. I was surprised to learn of this rule, and it does seem harsh, but it makes sense.

Friendofdennis · 05/07/2024 15:01

The driver may have a disability that you can’t see sometime a carer is also disabled

Aquamarine1029 · 05/07/2024 15:01

TallulahBetty · 05/07/2024 14:56

Handicap? Are you stuck in the 1980s?

Edited
Show quote history

No, but you're clearly ageist.

DiscoBeat · 05/07/2024 15:00

I park with my mum in the car every week while I go into the shop to collect her hired mobility scooter. I often have to queue. You don't know people's situations.

MrsTerryPratchett · 05/07/2024 14:58

Why are you worried OP?

I can think of lots of reasons that the person with disabilities might stay in the car for all or some of the trip and still need the space. Care needs, toilet, only managing a small part of the trip, refusal (I'm thinking of my friend's child who changes his mind at the last minute), and so on.

Why worry? It's far more likely someone does need it than doesn't. And even if they don't, who cares?

LoremIpsumCici · 05/07/2024 14:58

Theoretically you’re right. However, I think it is impossible to enforce.

The disabled person could be sat in the car for a rest break prior to or in the middle of their errands.

The person sitting in the car and the person who got out the car could both be disabled and entitled to a blue badge. Not everyone who is entitled to a blue badge has visible mobility aids.

RubySloth · 05/07/2024 14:58

AutumnCrow · 05/07/2024 14:54

There are two circumstances I've found myself in which I would look like I've been breaking the Blue Badge rules:

  1. I've been waiting for DP to collect a trolley so that I can lean on it for balance while I negotiate the carpark and the supermarket.
  2. I've had to return to the car early because I feel unwell / not able to stand up much longer, and DP has stayed inside the shop to pay for our shopping.
In neither of those circumstances would I be fined or lose my Blue Badge once I had explained to, if asked by, an appropriate person.

Exactly this, people are quick to judge.

Aquamarine1029 · 05/07/2024 14:57

Bignanna · 05/07/2024 14:50

It’s in the rules that the person holding the blue badge cannot sit in the car, parked in a disabled parking bay, while someone else does the shopping.
It’s a fineable offence.

Show quote history

Shame on anyone who would enforce this "rule" and harass a disabled person who is minding their own business. The disabled person may need extra time before they leave the vehicle. They may not be sure if they're up to getting out.

Swipe left for the next trending thread