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.

[jasonapple]

Park further away if you don't have enough space. The spaces furthest from the entrance are usually empty.

[Sirzy]

You don't NEED extra space, it's handy but it's not essential. Presumably you manage just fine at the majority of places which don't have p and c spaces?

For someone who needs a blue badge the availablity of parking can literally be the difference between leaving the house and not

[ALemonyPea]

Absolutely.

My DS has SN but doesn't have a blue badge despite not being able to go anywhere unaccompanied and no danger awareness. My council don't issue them for his SN. So we use the P&C bays. Have had one or two people chllenge us, as he looks a lot older than he is, he's a giant 11 year old, but they usually realise upon speaking to me that he has SN and apologise.

[mambono5]

You don't NEED extra space, it's handy but it's not essential. Presumably you manage just fine at the majority of places which don't have p and c spaces?

No, when I am pregnant, I don't. I go shopping else where. No, I don't manage just fine with a car seat. A lovely man once moved my car for me whilst I was waiting with my baby, so I could put the car seat back in the car. Otherwise I would have had to wait for one of the cars parked next to mine to move.

Again (if you don't repeat things on MN you get a beating) nothing against disabled people using the space they need. A parent and child space it NOT a luxury. I don't even own a big car, I take a small one when I am in town!

[ThreeShiningStars]

I'm 8.5 months pregnant (and have a wriggly 2 year old but I rarely take her shopping now!) - yes right this moment I do need a little extra space to get out of the car but unlike someone with mobility issues I don't need to open my door to it's full extension to exit my car. If need be I park at an angle so I can get myself and DD out the car.

My favourite place to shop parking wise is my local Sainsburys - they have lots of BB spaces (actually never seen them full come to think of it), NO P&C spaces, but sensibly sized 'normal spaces'. The reality is the amount of space needed to get a child in or out of the car is significantly less than a BB holder (or someone with mobility issues) requires.

Plus when it comes to supermarket shopping I (personally) often have the choice to not take DD with me - you can't really leave yourself at home if you are disabled.

[Sirzy]

You obviously need to practise then because there is no reason for people not to be able to do it. It may not be easy but the millions who cope just fine show it is possible!

A p and c space really is a luxury!

[IpDipCatnip]

I don't require P&C parking anymore. They are there for the width and are close to the store so you are not dragging young children across busy car parks. Therefore it's a safety reason.

However I think YANBU and feel ultimately a disabled person should trump everyone else. At the end of the day the majority of able bodied people can cope!

[BishopBrennansArse]

Really bizarre. Just like with the folding on buses I've managed without p&c spaces and whilst it wasn't easy it was a damned sight easier than being disabled is.

I really had no idea that giving birth had changed women's abilities so much in just a decade!

[mambono5]

You obviously need to practise



Practice what? Folding my baby car seat, and with a baby in it? How does that work?

[ghostyslovesheets]

Yanbu op - p&c spaces are nice but not essential- disabled spaces are essential for those who need them

People manage without p&c spaces

[ghostyslovesheets]

Why cart baby around in a car seat? Take baby out without it - job done

[BishopBrennansArse]

Figure it out. Plenty have managed.

[Dawndonnaagain]

mambono
It is a luxury. If you can't manage, do what others have suggested. Park at the far end and walk a bit. Walking is a luxury my dd doesn't have. Want me to repeat that?

[Sirzy]

Well Mambono you are obviously doing something wrong when so many others cope. Why is it such a problem to you compared to others? Do you seriously never go out anywhere that doesn't have p and c spaces?

[Scotinoz]

JumpingJellyBeanz and PigletWasPoohsFriend

Yes, I was fortunate and could fix my predicament. I fully realise others might not be in the same position. I wouldn't actually argue my entitlement to a spot over a disabled persons, I'm just saying I'm mixed as its really a question of 'entitlement' which is a bigger thing.

You could be a hideous person who kills puppies. Just cos you have a back brace does than make you more deserving to be able to get out than the saintly, charitable mum of 5?

It's a silly example, but hopefully you see the my point.

The bigger picture is that spaces should be bigger, but they're not since car parks/shop would be less profitable.

[Perfectlypurple]

I wonder how many people claiming p and c spaces are needed for the extra space would use them if they were as far away from the entrance as possible? I know some claim it is a safety issue but that is bollocks. People take their kids out in town, along streets etc and manage perfectly well.

[mambono5]

Dawndonnaagain

As I have written again and again, I have nothing against disabled people using a P&C parking space!

My own choice is to go shopping somewhere else. Why is being able to put a child in a car seen as luxury? Btw, in the olden days, car seats were not mandatory. My parents, then my siblings and I, used to travel in a moses basket at the back of the car. You can squeeze a basket and carry a baby. You can't squeeze a car seat.

I find it infuriating that people throw silly advice "park at the far end": what far end? I am not talking about an Ikea car park, but a supermarket car part, they are not endless and the far ends are as busy as the ones near the entrance.
Walk a bit: I can walk, what I need is enough space between 2 cars to fit a baby car seat! What part of ENOUGH space do you struggle to understand?

[mambono5]

Well Mambono you are obviously doing something wrong when so many others cope

Looking at the rants on my facebook local mums group, I am not the only one. I tend to believe posts on FB a bit more than I believe the ones on here: they are not anonymous, so people are a bit more honest.

[UnbornMortificado]

Out p+c spaces done have extra room. They are just closer to the shops.

Probably closer to the shop then disabled spots. So there isn't much point to them.

I think people with disability should have priority over both sets of spaces tbh. My mam had a blue badge during chemo, she couldn't of handled the walk from much further.

[BishopBrennansArse]

Car seats were compulsory in 2004.
Trolley baby seats were easier to find without the car seat mount, and we were always told not to have the baby in a car seat too long... so I tended to open door, move handle back, unstrap baby, put in trolley. Easy.

Getting out of the car with RA in both ankles isn't so easy, then I NEED to open the door right up.

[mambono5]

Do you seriously never go out anywhere that doesn't have p and c spaces?

Yes, of course, there are enough that I don't need to struggle unnecessarily. Places with small car parks, such as restaurants, I go with my husband. One of us can drive out of the space whilst the other waits with the kids.

[ghostyslovesheets]

Exactly - instead bsby - carry to baby trolley - job done. I always limited the time mine where in a car seat - I'm sure dd2's flat head was caused by hers and I didn't use it except in the car - they aren't comfy

[Perfectlypurple]

Surely it is rare the whole of the car park is full? Apart from at Christmas none of my local supermarkets - Tesco, Morrisons, Asda, Sainsbury's are ever that completely full that you cannot find a few spaces at the furthest part of the car park.

[ghostyslovesheets]

I dead bsby??? Unclip baby! 😀

[Hushabyelullaby]

I have a BB and if there aren't any disabled accessible parking spaces left then I do. I am a wheelchair user and I simply wouldn't be able to get out of my car otherwise, as I need the space. I was told that BB spaces are a legal requirement and p&c spaces are a courtesy. I think it would be a pretty hard hearted person to challenge someone. If I have to do this (only twice in almost 10 years), then I display my badge.