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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Really annoyed at Someone parking in a Disabled Bay who is definitely not disabled!

315 replies

daisychain01 · 07/10/2014 21:25

I'm normally quite a placid person, who goes about her business and doesn't interfere with other people, but Im absolutely fuming.

Im staying at the Travelodge for two nights, last night was my first night, tonight is my second. When I arrived in the carpark yesterday evening, I was walking towards the entrance with my bags when I was nearly run over in the carpark by a woman in a BMW, texting on her phone while driving, trying to find a space.

It stopped me dead in my tracks! Anyway she then proceeds to drive straight into a disabled bay next to the entrance, obviously there to make it more accessible to a blue badge holder.

She got out of her car and I walked up to her. She was still on her phone, yabbering away, but looked at me. I said very politely, "um excuse me, but do you realise you are parked in a disabled bay .." To which she said as bold as brass "yes I know". So I just thought maybe I will cut her some slack, maybe she will check in then move her car.

I mentioned it to the receptionist and she didnt really want to know, because the parking belongs to the Toby Carvery next door. Out of curiosity I nipped out before going to bed and her car was still there, and still there this morning when I left...

...and there when I have just turned up tonight!

If she had said to me last night "yes thanks for letting me know, Im just unloading my heavy bags but I will move my car shortly" I wouldnt be frothing, but the Toby is really full tonight and whats the betting there is some poor person inside who has had to struggle all the way over from the furthest corner of the carpark because of that selfish cow.

The thing is, should I report her now? I just dont know if Its just me being pissed off at her attitude, and a bit up my own arse...im just feeling vengeful, like I want to teach her a lesson. The Toby is open and full of people.

OP posts:
thereturnofshoesy · 07/10/2014 21:28

did she have a BB?

Pumpkinpositive · 07/10/2014 21:29

How do you know she isn't disabled? Did she say so? Does her car have a blue badge?

Although if she continues to text whilst driving (can't imagine the position you/she must have been in in order for you to see this!), she soon will be disabled. Assuming she doesn't kill someone else first.

manicinsomniac · 07/10/2014 21:30

She might have said 'yes, I know' because she is disabled?

Otherwise, YANBU

Ludways · 07/10/2014 21:33

You'd never know my mum is a blue badge holder, but she is and very much needs to be. It's not all about mobility.

WorraLiberty · 07/10/2014 21:34

Same with my Dad Ludways, you'd honestly have no idea.

DaddyBeer · 07/10/2014 21:35

If you're sure she didn't have a blue badge, then I don't think you're being unreasonable.

I really hate people who do this. I don't normally like this word, but it's entitlement of the highest order. There is no justification for it, and it's just pissing over people who need those spaces.

If I were more of a nutter, I'd slash tires..

everythingsgoingsouth · 07/10/2014 21:37

YABU if there is a blue badge in the car- if there is no badge then the car should be reported.

That's assuming you are not thinking all disabilities are visible??

MrsCosmopilite · 07/10/2014 21:40

Check to see if she has a blue badge. A friend of mine has a blue badge and on a good day is very mobile (although she has a number of other issues - non-visible disabilities).

If no badge displayed then I think I'd just advise whoever owns the parking and leave it at that.

Unexpected · 07/10/2014 21:43

We are missing the absolutely vital information as to whether this car has a blue badge displayed? MIL in has a blue badge, you would have no idea that there is anything wrong with her, shame she has to be terminally ill to get one.

Original poster
daisychain01 · 07/10/2014 21:43

She had the phone up to her ear with one hand, steering with the other as she was driving towards me round the other cars in the carpark, totally unbelieveable! I was walking towards her to her right, so was on her side as she nearly knocked me off my feet. No recognition that I was even there (it was yabber, yabber into her phone) then she swerved straight for the disabled bay.

She got out of the car, looked perfectly able bodied to me, quite tall, didnt exactly struggle out either.

Giving her the benefit of the doubt, I did ask in a low key way (just in case I was wrong). Id have thought she would have answered, yes thanks I know, I have a BB. Not just I know [scowl]

At which point I may have said, do you also realise you nearly ran me over.... !

I guess I ought to double check she doesnt have a BB on the dashboard, or I'll be making a right plonker of myself it has been known

I have to put a few bits in the car, so I'll stroll out there now.

OP posts:
ZivaMcGee · 07/10/2014 21:44
  1. Very occasionally someone will park in a blue badge space somewhere to pick me up and sometimes they have to do it without a blue badge. If I know in advance I'm going to need someone to come pick me up I try to make sure they have my blue badge but it's not always possible. Usually if they do park in a space w/out a badge it's for long enough to pop into wherever they're getting me from and let me know they're there.
  2. I doubt there's any point reporting them because in the majority of private car parks blue badge parking is actually legally unenforceable.
wanderingcloud · 07/10/2014 21:45

I would definitely check she didn't have a blue badge before launching into the "entitled mare" tirade! My mum had a blue badge before she died and was frequently sneered at and told she shouldn't park in disabled spaces because she didn't fulfil the "disabled" stereotype. I was often Shock at how rude people were to her, she needed that badge though.

IHaveBrilloHair · 07/10/2014 21:45

Everyone knows I am disabled, as I have a badge on my forehead, with a light above it for dark days.

Edenviolet · 07/10/2014 21:45

Quite tall

Hmm so are tall people less likely to be disabled op?

Probably best to go and check if there's a bb in her car or not before making comments

Silverdaisy · 07/10/2014 21:46

Texting and driving isn't a test of whether they have a disability. Breaking the law obviously, but not a way to make an assumption on anything else .

WeirdCatLady · 07/10/2014 21:52

Dd is 5'9" and has a blue badge. You wouldn't notice her disability either. Perhaps I should get her a big bright sash to wear.

Before frothing I would advise checking for a blue badge Hmm

NeedsAsockamnesty · 07/10/2014 21:54

You do not need to display a BB in a private car park.

Pumpkinpositive · 07/10/2014 21:57

She had the phone up to her ear with one hand, steering with the other as she was driving towards me round the other cars in the carpark, totally unbelieveable

You said she was texting. How did she manage that with one hand holding the phone and another on the wheel?

Just how many hands did this woman have?? Shock

WanderingTrolley1 · 07/10/2014 21:58

I'd like to know how you can tell she's "definitely not disabled", OP!

thereturnofshoesy · 07/10/2014 22:00

tbh this is non thread until the op has
!) found out if there is a BB
2) checked to make sure the person was not disabled and had permision to use the space.
3) the op needs to examine parker woman and give her a dx

Pumpkinpositive · 07/10/2014 22:01

She got out of the car, looked perfectly able bodied to me, quite tall

Oh well. That settles it.

As you were.

deadduck · 07/10/2014 22:01

I feel quite sorry for the harsh responses you got. Yes, on first instinct, I agree, it seems she might have taken the piss. To put us out of our misery, please go and check her car for a badge.

Letthemtalk · 07/10/2014 22:03

Disabled drivers can be shit drivers too. If she had been a good driver would you have minded where she parked?

YesIDidMeanToBeSoRudeActually · 07/10/2014 22:04

" looked perfectly able bodied to me"

FOR FUCKS SAKE why do people still come out with the absolute bollocks. ARGHHH.

I'm all for disabled parking being monitored but when members of the public go all vigilante with their sideways looks and judgey glances, it doesn't fucking help!

madhairday · 07/10/2014 22:05

I'm quite tall and don't look at all disabled which of course you can tell by looking. Maybe I should have my scarred and holey lungs on display, how thoughtless of me! I have a blue badge. Hopefully op can learn something from this thread about invisible disabilities.

And yes how was she texting and yabbering into her phone at once? Super multi tasker Smile