AIBU to think it's ok for disabled to park in P&C parking spaces

[SparkyStar84]

After the fun with the last post, going from experience too, I wondered how many would support the notion of the buses legislation AND a disabled person parking in a P&C space where ever, if the disabled spaces are full.

Technically we have the right too with a badge.

I've had issues before where the person with me has parked in a P&C space, without DC present, parents have got quite ratty.

Parent and child spaces a e a concession/gimmick that stores use to encourage people to shop there. Disabled spaces are a right. I wish I was shocked that only a few posts in there is an entitled person thinking being a parent trumps everything else.

Why would you have a problem with it? My mum is disabled but doesn't as yet have a bb. When she's with me and my son, we try and park in the p&c spaces so she doesn't have to walk far and I can get the baby in and out. I'd be ashamed if I saw someone have a go at a disabled person for parking in a p&c space.

Some supermarkets do now have a policy that a car parked in p&c but without any children in can be fined if you tell security. It says in my local tesco though that disabled people will be exempt from this

@spaXXlappazz The difference is that not having a wider space makes shopping HARDER for parents. Not having a wider space makes shopping IMPOSSIBLE for many disabled people (as they are unable to get out the car into a wheelchair).

As for merging the spaces - it's important that disabled people have guaranteed parking where possible (which is why many supermarkets will "over-cater" with disabled spaces meaning there is usually an empty one - although this is definitely not always the case!) - when they are merged (which they are in some places), this is much harder to ensure.

Oh spaxx...! Well done for representing the basket of deplorables....

When I had a baby and a toddler and was tired and deluded in a busy supermarket car park I challenged a middle aged bloke for sitting in a car in a P&C space when they clearly had no kids. He swore at me saying he was disabled and I should be ashamed of myself but he didn't have a visible badge in the car. He moved but I have always wondered if I should feel bad about what I did or not.

Wouldn't mind at all. It's a nice convenience for me to have the space but I can manage fine if I have to. Much worse for someone with mobility issues.

Of course it's perfectly acceptable, I used to do it myself when I had a car and blue badge and wouldn't give it a second thought.

Thanks to @spaXXlappazz for showing us how low some people go

Ah, the amount of times I've tried to get DH to park across two regular spaces when the BB are full.

He won't - he's chicken.

I would. This is one of the reasons I don't drive!!

Any problem I had would be with the owners of the car park for not providing enough spaces, not with the disabled person who through no fault of their own ended up needing to park somewhere that I'm sure they'd rather not have (as IME p&c spaces are further from the shop entrance than disabled spaces). I very, very much appreciate the extra width of a p&c space, but I can manage if necessary. A disabled person needs it.

Blue badge holders absolutely trump parents and children.

Of course they shouldn't be merged! Disabled spaces are a right. P&C are s nice bonus. Special snowflakes and their PFBs can manage without designated spaces. Blue Badge holders can't. (I'm aware most people who use a P&C space are perfectly reasonable people. But as the idiot up thread demonstrated, there's always one)

Absolutely no problem at all; indeed they should be allowed for definite.

A while back, someone I know parked in a Child space as a disabled one was not available, and she was literally screamed at by an aggressive 30-something chav with a kid who 'needed' the space.

'You don't look disabled, just fat!' he yelled at my friend. 'Get of that f-ckng space!' She refused and said 'if you are THAT bothered, go tell a security guard in the store. Or tell the manager. If I am not meant to be here, he will make me move.'

She defended herself, but was very shaken by the situation. She has a chronic illness and has a blue badge as she struggles with her mobility sometimes.

Child spaces are only courtesy spaces, and I am pretty sure that even people who are not disabled and don't have kids, can still park in there. There is no 'law' attached to them.

Shockingly, the man did not go into the store; he just hurled more abuse and drove off out of the car park altogether!

I believe firmly, that the people with the babies now, who feel entitled to these spaces, and who kick off when someone parks in them, are the ones who, 10-15 years ago, used to park in the spaces themselves! (Their 'entitled-to' attitude tells me this!)

'You don't look disabled, just fat!' he yelled at my friend. 'Get of that f-ckng space!

Should be

'You don't look disabled, just fat!' he yelled at my friend. 'Get OUT of that f-ckng space!'

Sixty that's shocking that your ds has a wheelchair and not blue badge.

*no

A car park I know of has combined p and c spaces and disabled spaces. This of course means that because all the "can't possibly get my child out the car" brigade use them it is very difficult for disabled people to find a suitable space

I wonder what people like spaxx would make of people like me who use a P and C space with an older disabled child who isn't entitled to a blue badge? One thing for sure getting him safely in and out the car and into his chair is much harder now than it was when he was a light, easy to move baby! Chance are as he gets older it's only going to get harder too.

Sirzy not sixty.

Morally if there are disabled spaces they should use those instead of p&c. And p&c should only be used for those with children. But if it's late at night and I don't have DD and all p&c are empty I do use them there are never enough p&c spaces to go round so I think merging them with disabled spaces is a good idea

There's always one.

Yep.

there are never enough p&c spaces to go round so I think merging them with disabled spaces is a good idea

No it really isn't.

It is a requirement of law to provide disabled spaces. Providing p&c spaces is not.

With a blue badge you can legally park in any roadside or government parking space, including a loading zone, except one designated to a specific number plate or for a doctor. Though I don't know the law actually applies in a private car park, just imagine what the Daily Fail would say if any supermarket ticketed a disabled person for using a P & C.

Is this the inevitable follow-on now that the courts have ruled on the debate over prams vs wheelchairs on the bus?

YANBU. P and C spaces aren't legally enforceable anyway. Park away!

The P&C spaces are nearer to the store entrance at my local Tesco. If I am feeling belligerent, or in more pain than usual, I park in them and wait to be challenged.

I have not been yet

I sometimes park in a P&C space even when there are disabled spaces free. Like many disabled drivers I'm an expert at working out the optimal available space in the blink of an eye. I think some able people don't realise how saving just a few steps/ounces of effort makes a huge difference to a disabled person.

For example, my local supermarket has the disabled spaces directly opposite the doors. With placement of bollards and the constant stream of pedestrians it makes getting the car out extremely difficult as it requires lots of twisting and turning whereas you can drive straight out of the P&C ones. For someone like me, whose disability affects their neck and upper back, the P&C spaces are much better positioned, so that's where I park.

I think absolutely blue badge people should park wherever is easiest (as long as it's not obstructive) where ever the hell is easiest for them P&C or not!