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.

[Bubblebathwater]

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

why on earth should they be merged? That is a ridiculous idea, blue badge parking spaces need to be for blue badge only not used as a p and c overflow

[mambono5]

I can't see the problem,and neither can I see the issue with a pregnant woman using a P&C parking space.

It's not a simple convenience for parents. In most supermarkets, it's impossible to squeeze a baby car seat through the narrow space between 2 cars. I don't know how people managed 50 years ago, maybe the cars were smaller.

What do people suggest a parent does? Put baby and the car seat in the boot, reverse then take baby out of the boot and place safely in the back?

If you have a blue badge, there should be no issue. If you haven't, you run the risk of people having a go at you, because they can't guess that you need the space and they are fed up with morons using them to protect their cars from scratches.

[Meffy]

I have the added bonus that it is my DS aged 7 who holds the Blue Badge ... so we park where the hell we like!!! 🤗

[Andrewofgg]

These "fines" are bluff. They would have to sue on the contract in the county court and the game is not worth the candle. If the driver defended by claiming that the contract was unfair the supermarket might win but would not get its costs.

None of which excuses parking in a BB space without a BB. I can't get so excited about people parking in a p & c space with no children. My (adult) DS argues that they should not be valid after 9 p.m. or before 7 a.m. - at a 24 hour Tesco - because children should be in bed!

[JumpingJellybeanz]

Morally if there are disabled spaces they should use those instead of p&c.

Why?

[BantyCustards]

YADNBU - if the P&C spaces are a help to a blue badge holder then so be it.

[Passmethecrisps]

Of course it should be ok. It is ok surely?

P&C spaces are a wee nice sweetener supermarkets offer to make parents loyal to that store. They are not required as such.

If someone can't get a disabled parking space I cannot imagine who would begrudge them a P&C space.

Many of us are only not disabled yet in my opinion. It would do us good to consider how we would like to be treated if and when we require such facilities.

[Spikeyball]

If you have a bb you should be able to park in whichever available space best suits your needs.
If you are disabled, don't have a bb but have a need for space or closeness it is also reasonable to use a p and c space.

[Passmethecrisps]

As others have said I find it very hard to care who parks in a P&C space.

The massive Winnebago I observed which was parked longways across 4 disabled spaces however? I would far have preferred them to have used the P&C spaces than disabled if they really had to be physically that close to the shop.

That is presuming there wasn't a blue badge on the dashboard.

[BantyCustards]

Having said that - I'm sure I'm not the only parent who has a child with a disability who doesn't 'qualify' for a blue badge but because of their child's disability a P&C space stops the issues of: your door bashing into a car parked next to you etc. I have to say that the P&C spaces up until recently were very helpful to me and helped to prevent accidents for a child who frequently forgets their surroundings.

[SaorAlbaGuBrath]

P&C spaces are a courtesy, disabled parking spaces are a necessity. Personally I think blue badge holders should be able to park where they like (without blocking a road or pavement obviously). Having a blue badge means that you need to be able to park near to where you're going, having kids doesn't.

[SomewhatIdiosyncratic]

There are people with disabilities (with or without BBs) who will get more benefit from a P&C space than many families. I have no issue with it.

I started using P&C spaces at about 6m pg when the combination of a big bump required opening the driver's door fully (short legs, seat close to steering wheel), and SPD began impacting my mobility. Parking up the quiet end of a car park was unnecessary painful walking, and wouldn't have guaranteed someone not parking close to the driver's door preventing me from getting into the car. By the last month I couldn't fit in the driver's seat and reach the pedals anyway, and could only leave the house if dropped off door to door.

[Yamadori]

Definitely agree with this idea. It's a matter of priorities:

1 Disabled
2 P & C
3 Everybody else

[TaraCarter]

I've said this befire however it's remarkable the amount of people who take their kids swimming and to gymnastics or horseriding or theme parks where no such spaces exist then all of a sudden lose the ability to park at a supermarket.

They park in the disabled bays, Giles.

It's amazing how many aspiring ballet dancers and gymnasts must have a disabled parent, but this must be the case as the disabled bays are always full.

[expatinscotland]

This is like prams on buses, get rid of them entirely because it's the only thing that gets through to entitled twats.

[SoupDragon]

This should be interesting

No. It really won't be.

[ItsyBitsyBikini]

At my local asda (and if I don't have my mum) I park as far away as possible from the entrance where no-one else parks. The p&c spaces are always full and the normal spaces just aren't wide enough to let me open the door to get my 7month old out. It means I get a bit of extra walking and DS gets a bit more fresh air. Win win!

[Hellochicken]

I have 4 DCs aged between 1 and 8yrs. I like having a P&C space so that I can get them all out and in safely with a bit of room to park trolley at the side of the car.
I can park further away if there is an empty part of carpark, but sometimes people then park on either side of the car and it is tricky to get 1 yr old from trolley into car seat. whilst other 3 (1 daft) wait. The trolley would be left on the road at this point. It's do-able.

But . . . absolutely would give my place up for car with a disabled driver/passenger. They may need space and may need to be close to the shop.

[Rufus27]

The other day a disabled person used the last P and C space in Sainsbury's car park, despite the fact that there were plenty of spaces free for BB holders opposite (same distance to the shop entrance). I gave the man 'The Look' (well, it was cold, raining and DS was screaming) but said nothing and drove to a standard space a few aisles away.

In hindsight, and having read this thread, I was the one out of order and I now feel shit about that. If you're reading this and that person was you, I apologise. (Knackered ftm, but that's not an excuse).

[harverina]

Ikea's p&c spaces are the same as their disabled spaces so both groups can use the same spaces. To me, this is ideal.

As a parent with young kids I've often felt frustrated in a busy car park when there are lots of free disabled spaces and I'm sure people with blue badges feel the same if it's the other way around - so cat parks should combine them and make sure there are enough for everyone in my opinion.

[BeyondCanSeeTheEmperorsBellend]

Well Tara, my hyper mobility was beneficial when I was a dancer, and is now beneficial for my children while I'm in my wheelchair...! Your point does stand though, parking is a PITA when I take mine dancing.