to expect someone to see the 'do not block access' signs on an adapted minibus?

[deebeeandboys]

First post on here, hello! :-)

We have a minibus, it's adapted with a ramp at the back, drivers seat turns so my husband can get in and out easily with his powerchair. It's a bit knackered, needs a lot of work to the body, but it's clearly a wheelchair accessible vehicle, not a builders van or something.

We park up on a main road, next to a lowered curb, to fetch the kids from school. We have to drive as we've moved house and the kids have had enough stress over the past 3 years without changing schools again too. Dh often gets out and goes with me, if it's nice. Quite a few times, we've had people park over the lowered curb behind us, but they've noticed the 4 various signs on the doors saying 'please leave 3 metres for access' and given enough space.

Yesterday we parked up a little early, to go to the shops. I nipped back to the minibus on my own to drop something off and noticed someone had parked right up over the lowered curb, too close to get the ramp down. There was another car's length at least empty behind them, so they had deliberately decided to park that close- they could have reversed up a bit to give us space.

Got back with the kids and the car is still there. No room to get dh back in (and he's the only driver).

We waited. All the other parents parked up nearby left. Got fed up, called the local police and they said they'd send someone out.

Just before the police arrived, a couple with a baby came strolling back- staring into the van as they walked past, then proceeded to get into this car- they weren't going to speak to us or apologise.

I have two noise levels- very quiet or very shouty. After 45 minutes standing in the heat waiting for them to come back, I was fuming. I told them we'd called the police, that they'd blocked us in. Their attitude was 'we can park where we like' and 'we made a mistake, but you won't resolve this amicably'. They then pulled out into oncoming traffic and nearly hit a car.

Is it acceptable to knowingly block in what is clearly an accessible minibus? And stand watching from a park (realised after they were the people doing that- maybe waiting for us to leave or something or wondering why we were photographing their car... I nearly went over to the park and yelled out the reg number- dh wouldn't let me ). And then get shirty about the people you've blocked in being upset and pointing out 'mistakes' have consequences?

Policeman suggested we buy cones to put behind the van! Shouldn't have to get that far- what happened to common sense? We don't have an adapted minibus for fun- I doubt they'd swap.

I'm a little bit stressed about other stuff and this has kind of tipped me over the edge.

YANBU, this drives me up the wall. I have a massive sign requesting that people leave room for the tail lift and wheelchair, rarely does anyone do so. I want a new sign that says "I'm deploying my tail loft whether or not you are parked too close. Park right up my arse at your own risk" I have been verbally abused and threatened when I have politely asked people to move back to allow us access to the vehicle. I have also had someone deliberately run over the ramp in temper. Short of a huge flashing neon sign, I'm not sure what else I can do.

OP's adapted vehicle to an a,balance is a red herring, an ambulance is an emergency vehicle

I'm trying to point out the stance that they might not of read the signs is selective, and is the driver responsibility to be aware.

No one pretends to be surprised it is ambulance they read the sign, just as they did with the disability vehicle.

it is selective and as a driver you are expected to be observant,

The signs on the back of school mini buses contain warnings, you are expected to read them, and decide not to overtake a parked one on the school rounds in rural areas as children cross from them.

highway maintenance trucks and vans have information for motorists you are expected to read them,

As a driver you are required to be considerate to other road users.

It happens so often to so many disabled people and judging by this thread you can see how these people justify it to themselves.

When observing people doing it, you see them putting on a performance like a small thick child,

It doesn't fool anyone, everyone knows, you know you shouldn't of parked there when it happens, you just thought who gives a fuck about someone with a disability I am more important,

It is one of the lowest of the low things to do, to rob someone who is struggling with mobility of access to their vehicle.

and I very much doubt any one has ever done it unknowingly, if there ever was one that did then they should hand in their licence as clearly they don't have the appropriate observation skills for driving.

TABs that are Twonks.

YANBU to expect an apology.

Sadly, I reckon signs along the lines of "Leave Xm of space or my ramp will smash into your car bonnet" would probably get better results than "Please leave Xm of space for ramp".

I'm afraid it is the down side to having a rear access ramped vehicle. We have a rear access ramp for DD. I could park for 3hrs for free on the road in our local town where the parking meters are. However, the risk of being blocked out of the vehicle on my return by some idiot who parks too close behind (and yes we have a sign too) means I always park on the Council car parks where we have to pay - the only concession being we get an extra hour.

When I have no choice but to park on the road, I try and make sure the back of the car is next to double yellow lines or an entrance to somewhere, to reduce the chances of someone parking behind me. It is a pain in the arse but I prefer to reduce the risk myself than expect the inconsiderate public to appreciate the considerable inconvenience they have caused.

How could the OP move the vehicle forward if is adapted for her husband to drive from his power chair?

There would be no drivers seat on a vehicle with that adaptation.

If they had genuinely not realised, surely they would be apologetic?! Ages ago, I was sitting in the car waiting for my mum and neither of us realised that she had accidentally parked in a disabled bay. (It wasn't marked in the usual way, very odd!) A blue badge holder wanted the space, his wife got out the car and told us off, we apologised before moving as we are polite human beings. Those people sound entitled.